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the rain gardens cannot take on all of the water. But the rain gardens are necessary for <br />treatment of storm water as mandated by the MPCA and the Watershed District. <br /> <br /> It was asked if there were any discussion of just doing an overlay over the existing street. <br />Mr. Elfering replied that an overlay has not been considered as the existing cracks in the <br />street would reflect through the new overlay within a year. It would not be a good use of <br />taxpayer dollars to just do an overlay. <br /> <br /> A resident asked what numbers the City Council has when they are looking at a potential <br />project. Mr. Elfering explained that the project is already at the maximum capped <br />assessment rate so that will not change even if the project cost is higher than the <br />estimate. <br /> <br /> A resident questioned the use of a unit assessment on the street as it added 30 feet to <br />their lot. Mr. Elfering stated that a unit assessment treats all properties the same since, in <br />theory, they all use the road about equally. He further stated that the City has been using <br />the unit assessment method for the past six or more years. <br /> <br /> A resident asked if there is any data that shows that the project would increase property <br />values. Mr. Elfering answered that the property value increases by the assessment value <br />or more. There was some discussion of this issue between some of the property owners <br />and Mr. Elfering with one resident claiming that her property would be decreasing in <br />value since two large trees would be lost as part of the project. Mr. Elfering stated that <br />he did not know if the trees would need to be removed yet or not as he had not started <br />design of the project. <br /> <br /> At this point a resident stated that the proposed project needed to be presented to the City <br />Council as they are the decision makers. He added that Mr. Elfering is simply presenting <br />the policies and the potential project and nothing has been decided yet. <br /> <br /> A resident asked if the City does chip sealing projects anymore. Mr. Elfering answered <br />that the City stopped chip sealing two years ago and at this time has no plans to start <br />back up. It has been decided that it is a better use of taxpayer money to do mill and <br />overlays and there have been delaminating issues with past chip seals. Many cities in the <br />area have discontinued the practice. <br /> <br /> A resident asked if chip sealing can be effective on Greenbrier Street. Mr. Elfering <br />responded that chip sealing would not be effective as it would not solve the drainage <br />problems on the street. <br /> <br /> A resident asked if the assessment can be negotiated since the City neglected <br />maintenance of Greenbrier. Mr. Elfering responded that the City has done about the <br />same amount of maintenance on Greenbrier as it has on other streets and when those <br />other streets were reconstructed those residents paid the full assessment. He further <br />stated that the current Greenbrier street has lasted over 50 years and the typical street <br />only lasts 20-25 years so we have gotten more than enough life out of the street.