Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_82Mar9_Public_HearingP4INUTE`~ PUBLIC HEARING ON STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT N0. 4449 MARCH 9, 1982 Mayor Warkentien, Councilmembers Eggert, Larson, Ciernia and Chestovich PRESENT Also present were Clerk Administrator Barnes, Engineer Lemberg and Fiscal Consultant Chenoweth. None. ABSENT Mayor Warkentien opened the Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. and presented the Affidavit of Publication, Affidavit of Posting and the Certificate of Mailing. He then turned the floor-over to Engineer Lemberg who introduced Engineer Glenn Cook. ~~ Engineer Cook explained that the proposed project has been divided ENGINEER C00 into seven separate parts in order to allow-the City to make the decision to repair the entire area or only individual projects as deemed necessary. He then explained each of the projects and the type of construction to be done in each instance. Fiscal Consultant, Phil Chenoweth, explained costs directly related to each project and estimated costs which would be assessed to home- owners in each area. He also indicated that the bond market is some- what improved at the present time which would be an advantage to the city. Robert Fry, 1457 W. Iowa, speaking for a group of_neighbors, stated he had read the Engineer's report and his understanding was that the assessments would range from $450 to $4,500 per homeowner. He spoke of the State finance problems and was of the opinion that local costs will go up due to State finances. He also stated that they have never had a drainage problem, the streets are in good shape compared to other suburbs and St. Paul, and that he is against the proposed project. FISCAL AGENT CHENOWETH ROBERT FRY 1457 W. IOWA Bob Dobin, 1362 W. Larpenteur, inquired why people should have to pay BOB DOBIN for a storm sewer when it would not alleviate the problem in the alley 1362 W. back of his residence (ponding of water) caused by the alley being too LARPENTEUR low and Hamline too high. He also commented on flooding of Larpenteur Avenue near Fry Street and that fact that nothing has been done about that. He indicated he was opposed to the project. Chuck Sederberg, 1452 W. Idaho, wanted to know the costs of streets in front of the homes plus the $12.00 per foot for the north/south _ streets. Engineer Cook went.thr~augh the estimated assessments for a 50 foot lot in each of the seven projects. Mr. Sederberg inquired of the Fiscal Consultant what his total payments would be for principal and interest at 13~ over the ten year period on his property which would be assessed $3,560. Mr. Chenoweth replied that the total paid over ten years would be $6,560. Henrietta Thom, 1402 W. Idaho, suggested that Council wait until interest rates are down and the price could be lowered. She was concerned about how people could pay for the project. J. B. Rechtine, 1492 W. California, said he felt the streets have always been fine and inquired as to why it needs to be done. He felt the project is being proposed at the wrong time in view of the CHUCR SEDERBERG 1452 W. IDAHO AENRIETTA THOM, 1402 W. IDAHO J. B. RECHTINE 1492 W. CALIFORNIA 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. MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 9, 1982 PAGE 3 Marvin Flodin, owner of apartment buildings at 1466 W. Larpenteur, 1561 W. Idaho and 1624 Snelling Drive, stated owners are constantly being hit by taxes and now the City if talking of assessments. He indicated he could not find a need for the proposed improvements, as the streets and storm water facilities seem to be adequate. He agreed with the other speakers and urged Council to think seriously before voting on the matter. Howard Christiansen, 1452 W. California, felt the streets were in the best condition he had ever seen and that the dips are appreciated as they slow down the traffic. He stated that people in the community do not mind them. He also indicated he lives at the highest point and could not understand why he would be assesed for storm sewer and he cannot see why he would benefit. He did not want any more taxes. Bill Smith, 1358 W. Iowa, informed that he works in real estate and banking and that the proposed improvements would not increase the property values, but would only increase taxes. He stated-that in appraising a house the improved street would not add to the value of the house. Mr. Smith requested that Council be receptive to the people. Jerry Meyer, 1391 W. California, commented on the alley back of his his residence, would like it repaired, however, did not feel the proposed contstruction would improve the drainage of the alley. Bev Dobin, 1362 W. Larpenteur, also commented on the fact that Hamline Avenue drains into the alley. She wanted to know-what the cost would be to people on Larpenteur since Larpenteur has already been constructed. Engineer Lemberg explained that at the time Hamline was repaired the County was requested to lower Hamline to alleviate drainage into the alley, however, the County refused. At that time Hamline was to be widened but residents objected as they did not want to loose their trees. MARVIN FLODIN, OWNER OF APT AT 1561 IDAH 1624 SNELLIN & 1466 W. LARPENTEUR HOWARD CHRISTIANSEN 1452 W. CALIFORNIA BILL SMITH 1358 W. IOWA JERRY MEYER 1391 iJ. CALIFORNIA BEV DOBIN 1362 W. LARPENTEUR Paul Manke, part owner (with his father) of the home at 1464 W. Idaho, PAUL MANKE stated he vehemently opposed the project. He commented on the fact 1464 W. that there were puddles on Idaho between Arona and Pascal before IDAHO construction and there still are puddles. He could see no real change. Patrick Lamey, 1485 W. Hoyt, wanted to know about the construction of Arona a few years ago and how that was paid for. Engineer Lemberg explained that the street was built with MSA funds and the .storm sewer was assessed to the benefitting property owners. Henrietta Thom inquired as to whether or not residents could pay for filling holes or do it themselves. She stated they put in their own sidewalk and it is the best in the block. Pat Kelley, 1402 W. Larpenteur, stated that Albert, which is on the east side of his property, is in a state of disrepair. He inquired as to what will be done with Albert if the reconstruction project is not approved. PATRICK LAMEY 1485 W. HOYT HENRIETTA THOM PAT KELLEY 1402 W. LARPENTEUR MINUTES .~ r/ PUBLIC HEARING 'G MARCH 9, 1982 PAGE 4 Engineer Lemberg explained that Albert has no base under it and it BRAD would be difficult to repair due to alligatoring. He stated that LEMBERG the decision is up to Council. Councilmember Eggert stated that if there are some streets that are COUNCILMEMBE high cost to repair, perhaps, Council should look at those streets EGGERT only. He requested that the Engineer provide information comparing the cost of repairs on an annual basis to complete construction. He also inquired what cost differentials would be involved in doing the project on a one piece basis as opposed to doing all in one project. Councilmember Ciernia asked the Engineer if he could project, on high COUNCILMEMBE cost streets, what it would cost in the future if waiting 2 to 5 years CIERNIA for construction. Engineer Lemberg stated he would check his records to see what has BRAD been spent. He expressed the opinion that construction costs 3 LEMBERG years from now would, probably, go up as they have been experiencing an 8~ increase per year for the past 8 to 10 years. Engineer Cook informed that bids in 1981 were approximately the same GLENN COOK as in 1982 and sometime in the future it will catch up. Engineer Lemberg stated that they have been experiencing good bids BRAD LEMBERG due to the fact that contractors are in need of work. Councilmember Chestovich moved, seconded by Councilmember Larson, CHESTOVICH that the subject be tabled to a later date for future discussion MOTION TO by Council. Following a short discussion the motion was withdrawn. TABLE WITH- DRAWN Mayor•Warkentien closed the Public Hearing at 8:43 p.m. MEETING CLOSED AT 8:43 P.M. ~~~ Willis C. A. Warkentien, Mayor Att ,t: ~ -~/ Dewan B. Barnes, Clerk Administrator Public Hearing on Street Improvement Project No. 4449, March 9, 1982