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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCE07-0266 CE DOCUMENTS1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22- 23 24 25 26 27 28 In the Matter of: ) 309 Reyman Street, Oroville, } California (APN 033-055-007) } } } U9 E 07 SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION RE NUISANCE ABATEMENT Hearing Date: May 17, 2007 Time: 9:00 a.m. Location: 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA This matter came on regularly for hearing on May 17, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. Joseph I L. Schultz served as Administrative Hearing Officer. The County of Butte was represented by Deputy County Counsel Roger Wilson. There was no appearance on I behalf of the property owner, Barbara Meyers. Appearing as a witness was Wendy Jones, Code Enforcement Officer. The matter relates to 309 Reyman Street, Oroville, California (APN 033-055-007), more particularly described as: Real property in the unincorporated area of the County of Butte, State of I California, described as follows: LOTS 8, 9, 10 IN BLOCK 37, AS SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN MAP ENTITLED, "MAP OFTHE WESTERN PACIFIC ADDITION TO OROVILLE, BUTTE CO., CAL.", WHICH MAP WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF THE COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ON NOVEMBER 14, 1905, IN BOOK 4 OF MAPS, AT PAGE(S) 16. The hearing on this matter was set for determination of whether or not a public nuisance, as defined in Butte County Code Section 32A et seq. exists at the subject property. The Hearing Officer made the following statements: 1. That the proceedings are open to the public and are being taped, and that the tape will be retained for at least one year from the effective date of the decision. 2. - Announced that the purpose of the hearing was to hear a request for nuisance abatement concerning the property at 309 Reyman Street, Oroville, California. 3. Stated that witnesses would be sworn in by the Hearing Officer. 1 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION RE NUISANCE ABATEMENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 4. Stated that all persons speaking should be identified for the record each time they speak. 5. Stated that the Hearing Officer will rule on procedural and evidentiary matters. 6. Stated that the Hearing Officer may examine witnesses. 7. Stated that the burden of proof is on the County to support its action, and that the burden on the County is to prove its allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. 8. Stated that technical rules of evidence do not apply. 9. Stated that the Hearing Officer's determination must be based upon evidence presented during the hearing, and if supported by substantial evidence in the record the Hearing Officer may: a. sustain the action taken by the department; b. impose some greater or lesser form of action; c. determine that no action is warranted. Section 32A -2(a)(1) defines public -nuisance as it applies to this case, as anything which is injurious to health, poses a significant potential to cause economic and/or physical injury or damage to persons or property, or constitutes a significant detriment to the prevention or suppression of fire, or significantly interferes with the provision of emergency services to the public. Butte County submitted County Exhibits A through K, all of which were admitted into evidence. Butte County established, through the testimony of Wendy Jones, Code Enforcement Officer, that there had been a history of trash, junk vehicles, appliances and other items on the property. In addition, there was a residential fire on the property and the shell of the building remained after the fire. The owner of the property, in 2 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION RE NUISANCE ABATEMENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 approximately a one year period, beginning in 2005 and ending in 2006, cleared most of the debris from the fire. In addition, the owner of the property has removed at least two of the junked vehicles. There remains on the property miscellaneous junk and trash, including a dilapidated single -wide mobile home, large tires and rims, refrigerators and other miscellaneous trash. The latest photographs of the property were taken in February 2007. Code- Enforcement Officer, Wendy Jones, testified that she had visited the property on the morning of the hearing, May 17, 2007, and that the only items that had been removed from the property were two vehicles. Evidence produced by the County showed that there were adjoining landowners living nearby, and that the trash and other junk on the property was easily visible from adjoining lots. The Hearing Officer finds that Barbara Meyers is the record owner of the subject property; that she was given due notice to abate the nuisance; and that the Notice to Abate Nuisance, the County's Exhibit I, was -duly served and posted on the subject property. The Hearing Officer finds that the subject property constitutes a public nuisance, and that it poses a significant potential to cause economic and/or physical injury or damage to persons or property in that the condition of the subject property is such that it is likely to reduce the value of the adjoining properties. The Hearing Officer also finds that the property constitutes a public nuisance under Section 32A -2(a)(2) which provides, in pertinent part, a condition is a nuisance if it "... is indecent or offensive to the senses... so to as unreasonably interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property, ..." In that the junk and trash on the subject property are reasonably offensive to the senses of the adjoining landowners. The owner of the property is ordered to abate the nuisance by* removing the subject junk and trash from the property and properly disposing of it within thirty days of the service of this decision. 3 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION RE NUISANCE ABATEMENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Butte County is authorized to recover all costs it incurs in abating the public nuisance on the subject property, and its administrative costs of the abatement, which abatement costs and administrative costs may be determined by the Director of the Department of Development Services, and shall be documented by a supplemental Notice of Abatement lien, which the Director of the Department of Development Services may record against the subject property. Dated: .51e 7 07 J*ellh L. S hultz Administrative Hearing Officer 4 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION RE NUISANCE ABATEMENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PROOF OF SERVICE I, Ingrid S. Rogers, declare: I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of Butte County, State of California. I am over the age of 18 years and not a party to the within action. My business address is 1660 Humboldt Road, Suite 6, Chico, CA 95928. I am familiar with the practices of Leland, Schultz & Morrissey LLP whereby each document is placed in an envelope, the envelope is sealed, the appropriate postage is placed thereon and the sealed envelope is placed in the office mail receptacle. Each day's mail is collected and deposited in a U.S. mailbox at or before the close of each day's business. On the date shown below, 1 served a true copy of the following document(s): ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION RE NUISANCE ABATEMENT X BY MAIL: Placed in the United States mail at Chico, California, addressed as follows: Roger Wilson, Deputy County Counsel Office of the County Counsel 25 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 Wendy Jones, Code Enforcement Officer Department of Development Services 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 Barbara Meyers 309 Reyman Street Oroville, CA 95966 I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on June 7, 2007, at Chico, Calif rnia. Ingrid . Rogers PROOF OF SERVICE H County of Butte Oroville, California CLAIM FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SPECIAL SERVICES X15742 CLAIMANT: Leland, Schultz & Morrissey, LLP T17850 ADDRESS: 1660 Humboldt Road, Suite 6 IMPORTANT: CITY & STATE: Chico, CA 95928 SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE SIDE DATE OF CLAIM: 6/13/2007 nur r1 n me rn rnr)f1C r]R SFRVICFS JVDIYIII DATE VL/'111YI IV VVI /"III,I,V/•rvr•�... DESCRIPTION OF CLAIM DESCRIBE FULLY TO AVOID DELAY AMOUNT Administrativre Hearing/Nuisance Abatement 6/7/07 Invoice #16175 5/17/07 APN:033-055-007 - Meyers; 309 Reyman Street, Oroville $ 540.00 5/2/07-5/8/07 APN:035-175-014 - Clemmelson; 19151dora Street, Oroville $ 576.00 TOTAL $ 11116.00 1, the undersigned, declare under penalty of perjury that the services or amcles ciaimea have oeen penormeo m aeuveiea, and 1„el ,,,,s claim is true and correct as stated. Date this day of , 2007, at . Calif. invoice attached Signature of Claimant I, the undersigned, hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the services or articles specified above have been performed or de- livered and thatthereis a Budget Appropriation 0 or Specific Board Approval 0 (Check r the same. Date this ` 7cl day of �j.. 2007, at Dept. Exp. v Code 440-001 Code 536 PAYABLE DEPT & SUB. PROJ. SUB. OBJ. CLAIM NO. INV. NO. INV. DATE ENCUMB. GROSS AMT. Leland, Schultz & Morrissey, LLP 1660 Humboldt Road, Suite 6 Chico, CA 95928 530-342-4500 Invoice submitted to: Butte County Scott Rutherford, Chief Building Inspector Department of Development Services 7 County Center Drive Oroville CA 95965 June 07, 2007 Invoice No. 16175 In Reference To:Administrative Hearing Professional Services APN 033-055-007/Meyers/309 Reyman Street, Oroville 5/17/2007 JLS Attend hearing and draft Decision SUBTOTAL: APN 035-175-014/Clemmetson/1915 Idora Street, Oroville 5/2/2007 RAL Travel to and from Oroville; attend hearing 5/7/2007 RAL Draft Order 5/8/2007 RAL Prepare Order; check legal description, notice requirements Hrs/Rate Amount 3.00 180.00/hr [ 3.00 540.00] °e 1.70 180.00/hr 3Ah 0.50 180.00/hr q0.`4 1.00 �SD1 180.00/hr Butte County 6/7/2007 Page 2 Hrs/Rate Amount SUBTOTAL: [ 3.20 576.00] dk--" For professional services rendered 6.20 $1,116.00 Previous balance $1,673.30 Balance due $2,789.30 Butte County Department of Development Services TIM SNELLINGS, DIRECTOR I PETE CALARCO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-7601 Telephone (530) 538-7785 Facsimile www.buttecountv.neUdds www.buttegeneralplan.net ADMINISTRATION' BUILDING ` PLANNING May 3, 2007 Joseph Schultz 1660 Humboldt Road Suite 6 Chico, CA 95928 Re: Nuisance Abatement Hearing —APN 033-055-007 Mr. Schultz, FILE COPY .s/ %o y This letter confirms your acceptance to act as Hearing Officer for a Nuisance Abatement Hearing on May 17, 2007 at 9:00 am at 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. The property in question is 309 Reyman Street, Oroville. The property owners name is Barbara Meyers. Please let me know if you have a conflict regarding this person or property. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you, Kim McMillan Administrative Assistant, Senior (530) 538-0571 s::l Yti,,, Butte County Department of Development Services Code Enforcement Department 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-7601 Telephone (530) 538-7785 Facsimile Barbara Meyers 309 Reyman Street Oroville, CA 95966 NOTICE OF NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING The owner(s) and occupant(s) of real property described on the latest equalized Butte County tax roll as: APN: 033-055-007 Having a Street Address of: 309 Reyman Street, Oroville, CA is (are) hereby notified to appear before a Hearing Officer of the County of Butte at: Butte County Development Services Conference Room, 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965 on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. to show cause, if any there be, why the use of said real property should not be found to be a public nuisance and abated pursuant to the Butte County Code. After hearing, if a violation is found to exist, the cost of abating such violation, including, but not limited to, the cost of the Hearing Officer, the cost of prior time and expenses associated with bringing the matter to hearing, the cost associated with any appeals from the decision of the Hearing Officer, the cost of judicially abating the violation, the cost of labor and material necessary to physically abate the violation, and the cost of securing expert and other witnesses may become a lien against the subject property and may also be assessed against the property in the same manner as taxes. If an abatement lien is recorded, it will have the same force and effect as an abstract of judgment which is recorded as a money judgment obtained in a court of law. If you fail to appear at the hearing or if you fail to raise any defense or assert any relevant point at the time of hearing, the County will assert, in later judicial proceedings to enforce an order of abatement, that you have waived all rights to assert such defenses or such points. In preparing for such hearing, you should be aware that if an initial showing is made by the County, sufficient to persuade the Hearing Officer that a public nuisance exists on your property, you will then have the burden of proving that no public nuisance exists on your property. Therefore, you should be prepared to introduce oral and documentary evidence proving: why, in your opinion, your use of the property is not a public nuisance as defined in the Butte County Code. A copy of the Butte County Code Chapter relating to abatement hearings is enclosed to assist you in the preparation of your presentation. If an initial showing sufficient to persuade the Hearing Officer that a public nuisance exists on your property is made by the Code Enforcement Officer, your failure to sustain the burden of showing that no public nuisance exists on the property may result in an administrative decision ordering the abatement of uses or conditions on your property which are found to be a public nuisance and may also result in a later judicial order to the same effect. Further, if the Hearing Officer finds that a public nuisance exists on your property and you fail to abate the nuisance promptly, the County may abate the nuisance. If the County abates the nuisance, you may be responsible for the actual costs of the abatement, including the costs to the County of the administrative hearing, and such costs may be specially assessed against your parcel by the Auditor -Controller's Office and added to the your tax bill as a special assessment. Such special assessments have the same priority, for collection purposes, as other county taxes and, if not paid, may result in a forced sale of your property. Finally, if the Hearing Officer finds that a public nuisance exists on your property, a violation of the Butte County Code, the County will contend that you are bound by such finding at any subsequent judicial action to enforce the Hearing Officer's order. IMPORTANT: READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. FAILURE TO APPEAR AND RESPOND AT THE TIME SET FORTH IN THIS NOTICE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND/OR JUDICIAL ABATEMENT AND TERMINATION OF USES OF OR CONDITIONS ON YOUR PROPERTY WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES CONTENDS ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE BUTTE COUNTY CODE. Dated: "51 -Th BUTTE COUNTY DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES By: Enclosure: Butte County Code Chapter 32A �urrF COUNTY OF BUTTE FIELD a NUMBER OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA PURCHASE ORDER a __ F 07-312 S C�UNty uMid Valley Title and Escrow Co. Issued By County of Butte P Department Department of Development Services P 601 Main Street 7 County Center Drive L Chico, CA 95928 I Oroville, CA 9596C0py E (530) 538-6869 DATE QNTY INVOICE NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION AMOUNT CHARGE TO W.O. # 3/13/07 1 #2724651 -RB $50.00 440-001;535.201 6 Barbara Meyers, 309 Re man St., Oroville APN:033-055-007 Nuisance Abatement Please reference Order #'s on check. THANK YOU. TOTAL $50.00 I, the undersigned, hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the services or articles specified above have been performed or delivered or, where authorized, are hereby coDua ed for and that there is a Budget Appropriation for the same. ` F 07-312 T14469 Date, I1Q)U 1A epa men or ionze epuly SUPPLIER NO. DEPT ACCOUNT NO. PROJECT NO. INVOICE NO. INV. DATE ENCUMBRANCE AMOUNT 1 2 3 4 5 6 Submit WHITE, CANARY and PINK to PURCHASING SERVICES with suppliers invoice. Retain GOLDENROD s SUTTE COUNTY COUNSEL MID VALLEY TITLE AND ESCROW CO. 601 MAIN STREET MAR 2 1) 2007 CHICO, CA 95928�OVf@.�.E, CALIFORNIA(530)893-5644 FAX (530)893-185 AFFILLIATED WITH FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE & TRUST COMPANY INVOICE Development Services 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 ATTN: RF: APN 033-055-007 --BAa8 asZA M e E12.S DATE: March 13, 2007 ORDER NO.: 2724651 -RB 30a MA -fl Sr. OROvc L -L -e DATE DESCRIPTION CHARGES CREDITS BALANCE 3/13/07 Short Form Lot Book Guarantee $50.00 $50.00 PLEASE PAY THIS AMOUNT $50.00 r1j1.A1L' INV l Ir Y UJ 11V11V11,1.11A1 ZUT IV AL -41 L' ICtCV1� Arrlc.Ana v1�! 11'NV V1l.G Terms: Net 30, Service charge of 1 1/2% per month charged on balances over 30 days Please make all checks payable to Mid Valley Title & Escrow Please reference our Order No. 2724651 -RB on your check If you have any questions, please contact Heather Robertson at 530-893-5644 Thank you. Butte County Department of Development Services Code Enforcement Department 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-7601 Telephone (530) 538-7785 Facsimile Barbara Meyers 309 Reyman Street Oroville, CA 95966 NOTICE OF NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING The owner(s) and occupant(s) of real property described on the latest equalized Butte County tax roll as: APN: 033-055-007 Having a Street Address of: 309 Reyman Street, Oroville, CA is (are) hereby notified to appear before a Hearing Officer of the County of Butte at: Butte County Development Services Conference Room, 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965 on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. to show cause, if any there be, why the use of said real property should not be found to be a public nuisance and abated pursuant to the Butte County Code. After hearing, if a violation is found to exist, the cost of abating such violation, including, but not limited to, the cost of the Hearing Officer, the cost of prior time and expenses associated with bringing the matter to hearing, the cost associated with any appeals from the decision of the Hearing Officer, the cost of judicially abating the violation, the cost of labor and material necessary to physically abate the violation, and the cost of securing expert and other witnesses may become a lien against the subject property and may also be assessed against the property in the same manner as taxes. If an abatement lien is recorded, it will have the same force and effect as an abstract of judgment which is recorded as a money judgment obtained in a court of law. If you fail to appear at the hearing or if you fail to raise any defense or assert any relevant point at the time of hearing, the County will assert, in later judicial proceedings to enforce an order of abatement, that you have waived all rights to assert such defenses or such points. In preparing for such hearing, you should be aware that if an initial showing is made by the County, sufficient to persuade the Hearing Officer that a public nuisance exists on your property, you will then have the burden of proving that no public nuisance exists on your property. Therefore, you should be prepared to introduce oral and documentary evidence proving: why, in your opinion, your use of the property is not a public nuisance as defined in the Butte County Code. A copy of the Butte County Code Chapter relating to abatement hearings is enclosed to assist you in the preparation of your presentation. If an initial showing sufficient to persuade the Hearing Officer that a public nuisance exists on your property is made by the Code Enforcement Officer, your failure to sustain the burden of showing that no public nuisance exists on the property may result in an administrative decision ordering the abatement of uses or conditions on your property which are found to be a public nuisance and may also result in a later judicial order to the same effect. Further, if the Hearing Officer finds that a public nuisance exists on your property and you fail to abate the nuisance promptly, the County may abate the nuisance. If the County abates the nuisance, you may be responsible for the actual costs of the abatement, including the costs to the County of the administrative hearing, and such costs may be specially assessed against your parcel by the Auditor -Controller's Office and added to the your tax bill as a special assessment. Such special assessments have the same priority, for collection purposes, as other county taxes and, if not paid, may result in a forced sale of your property. Finally, if the Hearing Officer finds that a public nuisance exists on your property, a violation of the Butte County Code, the County will contend that you are bound by such finding at any subsequent judicial action to enforce the Hearing Officer's order. IMPORTANT: READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. FAILURE TO APPEAR AND RESPOND AT THE TIME SET FORTH IN THIS NOTICE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND/OR JUDICIAL ABATEMENT AND TERMINATION OF USES OF OR CONDITIONS ON YOUR PROPERTY WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES CONTENDS ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE BUTTE COUNTY CODE. Dated: BUTTE COUNTY DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES By: Enclosure: Butte County Code Chapter 32A Butte County Department of Development Services TIM SNELLINGS, DIRECTOR I PETE CALARCO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-7601 Telephone (530) 538-7785 Facsimile www.buttecounty.neUd ds www.buttegeneralplan.net ADMINISTRATION' BUILDING ` PLANNING March 15, 2007 Joseph Schultz 1660 Humboldt Road Suite 6 Chico, CA 95928 Re: Nuisance Abatement Hearing — APN 033-055-007 Mr. Schultz, This letter confirms your acceptance to act as Hearing Officer for a Nuisance Abatement Hearing on May 1, 2007 at 9:00 am at 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. The property in question is 309 Reyman Street, Oroville. The property owners name is Barbara Meyers. Please let me know if you have a conflict regarding this person or property. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you, im McMillan Administrative Assistant, Senior (530) 538-0571 aae NUISANCE ABATEMENT TME TRACIONG LOG Officer: Date Start Time End Time Total Time Activity and/or Comments y3D 20 m;j T LL D+r- s Az �e� NUISANCE ABATEMENT TIME TRACKING LOG Officer: Date Start Time End Time Total Time Activity and/or Comments Wrxx PUt�aq.--c &A -Q v ! 30 /Yo C " L 4 e, aL. /V. ��,Z