Laserfiche WebLink
Reasonable research should be performed to find the address of the property owner where the <br />county tax notice is sent to a mortgage company and whenever a notice of hearing is returned. <br />Sources that are often used to !ccate the property owner are the telephone book, reverse <br />directory, and the utility billing department of the city. <br />Practice Tip <br />Often times it is advisable to send the notice to a;! of the addresses that may be known for the properly owner <br />and not just the official mailing address. <br />Informal meetings with property owners which are held prior to the formation hearing will be <br />useful not just for explaining the process and project, but also for seeking further information <br />regarding addresses of neighboring owners. Further, any notices of earlier meetings will identify <br />problems before the formal notices are mailed for the LID formation hearing. All special efforts <br />made to notify property owners should be made part of the public record at the formation <br />hearing. <br />Practice Tip _ <br />If Washington State property is located within the LID and is to be assessed, notices must he handled differently <br />than other property Isee Chapter 79.44 RCW). <br />Formation Hearing <br />An ordinance forming the LID may be prepared by, and should be reviewed and approved by, <br />bond counsel. Under the LID statutes, the city council may pass the ordinance at the same <br />meeting as the holding of the formation hearing. <br />It is recommended that a hearing display map be prepared using a copy of the assessment map, <br />with property owners' names and estimated final assessments shown on the individual <br />properties. The formation of an LID may be appealed to the Superior Court. Consequently, the <br />city should electronically record theformation hearing, and all discussion relating to the proposed <br />LID. The Superior Court usually will require an audio only tape recording to be transcribed. An <br />audio and visual tape recording (television) may not need to be transcribed. Thus, if the LID is <br />highly controversial, or a significant number of property owners is expected to testify in <br />opposition to the LID, the LID administration team may want to consider having a court reporter <br />record the formation hearing. <br />The LID formation hearing should have a structured format that is more formal than a normal city <br />council meeting or hearing. It is recommended that legal counsel, bond counsel or special <br />counsel and the LID administrator meet with the mayor of the city before the hearing to discuss <br />the agenda for and recommendations regarding the hearing. By LID statute, the formation <br />hearing may be held before a committee of the council, orthe ccuncil may designate an officer, <br />such as the city hearing examiner, to conductthe hearing and make a recommendation to the ful! <br />city council. (RCW 35.43.140) <br />Local and Road Improvement Districts Manuel for Washington State S&th fdibon 29 <br />