CCAgenda_04May19 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Apri128, 2004 -12- Consideration of Resolutions 04-10 and 04-11 regarding turn back of Hamline Roselawn and Hoyt Avenues from Ramse County (continued) Administrator Worthington said the City will not have any agreements if we don't vote by May that the turn backs go on the MSA system. We will go back to the drawing board at that point. This process has been negotiated over a two year period. It has been brought up in multiple budget workshops and she has given periodic updates on the process. In the past, the turn backs have been negotiated by the City Administrator and brought to the City Council for approval. She followed the identical process that has been in place for more than fifteen years in the City. She would be happy to change that process in the future. Mayor Gehrz, said that Administrator Worthington commented that if we don't vote on this tonight, we go back to the drawing board. In the negotiations the County agreed to a considerable sum of money. Administrator Worthington said that on Roselawn alone, between Hamline and Snelling, the County doubled the amount of money they were prepared to give because of the City's negotiations. . Council member Lamb said the turn backs have the greatest effect on us. It is more important to us. Our risk is the highest. Mayor Gehrz said that she would vote in support of the turn backs. Who benefits? The roads are used primarily by people who live in the community. Taxpayers and residents are being adversely affected. She doesn't have any confidence there will be improvements. The Council has an obligation to the people. Staff has negotiated very favorable agreements. Council member Talbot said that he feels torn. He agrees with both. Both are making good practical points. This is not something we can back out of. These roads become ours. Council member Lindstrom said that the cost of redoing the roads doesn't get cheaper. Mayor Gehrz said that with regard to levy limits, she had an opportunity to be at something this past weekend where House Majority Sviggum was in attendance. He was asked about levy limits and if municipalities were out of the woods for now. He said they are. Council member Lamb said the Council has a responsibility to 2,000 taxpayers. This has some very big implications. If the Council votes to do this, it will be forever. If the Council delays, the Council can assess passing the responsibility and passing the costs. We're at the end of the trail and we don't have anyone to pass it to. We spent a lot of time on the Reserve Policy. The Council needs to think this through and they have not done that. la