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MINUTES ~ ~ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 9, 1982 PAGE 2 large increase in property taxes this year. He is against the project RECHTINE as during a recession is the wrong time for this type of project. (cont.) Engineer Lemberg explained that the report was done due to the con- ENGINEER dition of the streets and the high cost of patching and repair. The LEMBERG streets are 25 years old and in that length of time streets do break down. He explained that the lack of curb and gutter contributes to break down as the boulevards wear back causing the street surfacing to crack. With the north/south streets, which are particularly bad, he felt it might be more economical to do the job properly once than the constant repair. He also explained that many of the streets have no base but have blacktop laying on clay. James Jernberg, 1540 W. Iowa, inquired as to why the improvement is JAMES necessary and why attempt the project in 1982 which is a difficult JERNBERG time to thrust more expenses on everyone. He wondered-how different 1540 W. lives would be if the streets are improved causing a possible short- IOWA age of cash for other needs. He appealed to Council not to go through with the project. Charley Stone,1375 W. Idaho, explained that in his block there are CHARLEY STOP 7 widows, 2 widowers and 2 married retirees, all of whom live on 1375 W. fixed incomes and they cannot afford the cost of street repairs. IDAHO Marvin Kotilnek, 1453 W. Iowa, stated he is a Ramsey County Road MARVIN Maintenance Engineer and that, in his opinion, many thoroughfares KOTILNEK in Ramsey County are in worse shape than streets in Falcon Heights, 1453 W. and if it is less expensive to reconstruct streets than to sealcoat IOWA and patch the County would be reconstructing rather than patching. He felt that if the sealcoating and patching of streets is continued the streets will hold up. Mr. Kotilnek also questioned the need of the storm sewer as he did not know of any flooded intersections or basements in the area. Charles Ready, 1459 W. Iowa, stated he felt the streets are in good CHARLES shape, is a bad time to assess when property taxes are going up, READY money should not go into streets, priority is schools and decreasing 1459 W. burglaries in the neighborhood, and that the dips and pot holes slow IOWA town traffic.. He then presented a petition from residents opposing the street construction. John Ring, 1364 W. Idaho, stated he felt the streets are good and JOHN RING that he has never complained. He did not feel adequate need has 1364 W. been demonstrated. He, too, felt the uneven street is an advantage IDAHO and he urged the Council to re-think the matter as it would be a hardship on the population. Milt Craighead, 1365 W. Iowa, commented on the fact that St. Paul MILT may require residents to discontinue directing run off from buildings CRAIGHEAD into the storm sewer and suggest that the run off water go on to the 1365 W. lawn to water lawns. Mr. Craighead wanted to know why the City is IOWA talking of a storm sewer to put more run off water into a sewage system that St. Paul feels is overstrained.