Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Minutes <br /> February 8, 1995 <br /> Page 2 <br /> and Pascal Street to Albert Street; and between Idaho Avenue and Iowa Avenue from <br /> Pascal Street to Albert Street. The alleys would be constructed for a nine ton <br /> capacity, which will remain strong through spring thaws and minimize future <br /> cracksealing needs. An overlay construction is not possible due to drainage issues. <br /> The alleys will be reconstructed essentially at their current width. <br /> Mr. Jim Dixon, 1495 W. California Avenue, asked if residents would be required to <br /> pay their assessments all at once or if they would be spread out over time. Maurer <br /> replied that, after the assessment hearing, each resident would have 30 days in which <br /> to pay their assessment in full without interest. After the 30 days, the assessment <br /> is placed on the tax rolls and the resident pays it with their property taxes over a set <br /> number of years, most likely five to seven. <br /> Mr. Mitch Rothman, 1485 W. Idaho Avenue, noted that a number of garbage trucks <br /> use his alley each week. Why can't the city limit the number of garbage trucks that <br /> come down each alley? <br /> Mayor Baldwin replied that there are two ways that this limitation can be <br /> accomplished. The first is for the city to adopt "organized collection" whereby the <br /> entire city is serviced by a single, contracted garbage hauler. The city council and <br /> solid waste commission considered this option a few years ago and rejected the idea <br /> for a number of reasons, including the fact that with organized collection, residents <br /> lose the freedom to switch haulers if they are not satisfied with their service. The <br /> second option for limiting the haulers is for neighborhoods to voluntarily agree among <br /> themselves to use only one or a few haulers. Due to state laws, the city cannot assist <br /> neighborhoods in this type of effort. <br /> Mr. Rothman thanked the mayor for his response and then asked a question regarding <br /> the alley assessment formula. Mr. Rothman stated that when his house was built, the <br /> owner chose to put in a driveway rather than accessing the garage from the alley. <br /> Since he doesn't use the alley as much as his neighbors, Mr. Rothman questioned <br /> whether he should pay the same assessment. <br /> Mayor Baldwin responded that this will be an item for discussion at the February 22, <br /> 1995 council meeting. The city's assessment philosophy has always been to assess <br /> not for how much a resident actually uses a service, but rather the amount for which <br /> a benefit is available. For example, a person who doesn't drive and therefore doesn't <br /> use the streets is still assessed for street improvements because they are necessary <br /> for public as a whole. It is the city's obligation to provide safe alleys and roadways <br /> and Falcon Heights has chosen to assess those properties which receive the most <br /> potential benefit. <br /> Engineer Maurer noted that he had received a verbal comment from Mr. Mary Flodin, <br /> who owns an apartment building at the corner of Larpenteur and Pascal. Mr. Flodin <br />