Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Department of Public Service to submit information to the Franklin County Auditor or other county auditors as appropriate for property tax assessments. These assessments are for repairs made to sidewalks, driveway approaches, and drive approach curbs within the public right-of-way at various locations within the corporation limits of the City of Columbus under the Sidewalk NOV program.
The Columbus Service Center (311) receives complaints about the condition of sidewalks, driveway approaches, and drive approach curbs within the public right-of-way. Public Service sends an inspector to investigate the complaints to determine if a violation of City Code exists. In 2016, under Columbus City Code 905, the department sent notices of violation to 190 property owners. The department also advertised the notices of the violations. Of the 190 property owners that received a notice of violation, 46 property owners corrected the violation on their own.
Ordinance 1681-2016 authorized the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Sidewalk Program NOV 2016 contract. Public Service used the contract to make repairs for the 144 properties that did not make the repairs on their own and has invoiced these property owners for the repairs. Property owners have the option of paying the invoice or having the amount of the repair assessed against their property taxes. Also for 2016 certain property owners could apply for the Sidewalk Grant Program and receive $1,500.00 towards the repair of the property found to be in violation of City Code. Repair amounts over the $1,500.00 are incumbent on the property owner to resolve.
The list of parcels to assess and the dollar amount of the assessment is attached to this legislation. Property owners that make full or partial payment before the information is submitted for assessment in early September will be removed from the list or have the assessment amount adjusted accordin...
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