TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution directing the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller to include on the 2012-13 Secured Tax Roll certain levies made pursuant to the provisions of the Long Beach Municipal Code for weed and debris removal, administrative citations, securing of buildings, and vacant buildings in the amount of $220,759. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The attached Resolution authorizes the City to collect delinquent weed removal charges and/or delinquent building abatement charges, vacant building monitoring fees, incidental enforcement costs, interest, and lien transfer charges from the responsible owners through their property tax bills for properties cleaned, abated and/or monitored during July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Interest accrues at the rate of 12 percent from the delinquency date through June 30, 2012. In June 2011, City Council amended administrative citations to allow interest to accrue at the same rate.
The City is authorized to undertake enforcement activities, assess levies for delinquent charges and accrue interest by Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Chapters 8.56, 9.65, 18.20, and 18.21, following the specified notification and appeal process. The interest rate charged is cited in LBMC Sections 8.56.130, 9.65.140, 18.21.040, and 18.20.210.
Upon approval by the City Council, the Department of Financial Management will forward the authorizing Resolution and the prescribed reporting forms to the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller, Tax Division, for incorporation into the 2012-13 County Secured Tax Roll.
Total code enforcement delinquency charges to be placed on the 2012-2013 tax roll are $220,759, representing 112 properties. Unless noted, all delinquent charges relate to the Code Enforcement Division of the Neighborhood Services Bureau in the Development Services Department. These are comprised of:
a) Weed removal and cleaning charges including interest in the amount of $37,892.55 levied against the 16 listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit A);
b) Administrative citation charges including interest in the amount of $133,828.57 levied against the 79 listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit B), of which three of those properties relate to the Building Bureau as identified;
c) Secure building and demolition charges including interest in the amount of $4,148.55 levied against the two listed property (see Resolution Exhibit C); and,
d) Vacant building charges including interest in the amount of $44,889.33 levied against the 15 listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit D).
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Mike Mais on June 28, 2012 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 3, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is requested on July 24, 2012, as the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller requires receipt of the authorized lien assessment on July 31, 2012.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County will be requested to collect $220,759 with the annual property taxes for deposit into the General Fund (GP) in the Development Services Department (DV). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH DIRECTING THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER TO INCLUDE ON THE 2012-2012 SECURED TAX ROLL CERTAIN ASSESSMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO PROVISION OF THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE FOR WEED ABATEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS AND PENALTIES, DEMOLITION AND SECURING OF BUILDINGS, AND MONITORING OF VACANT BUILDINGS
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER