10-11-2023 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 11, 2023 continue to increase. He commented that many people in his neighborhood are self-employed or retired and the additional fee will be a burden. He noted that the property taxes for Little Canada just increased by over nine percent in addition to this fee. Mayor Fischer explained that property tax increase was a not to exceed number and while the final number will be in that neighborhood, it would not exceed that percentage. He noted that the City portion of property taxes is a small piece of the property tax pie. The City Engineer commented that they delineated over 900 single-family homes along with all the townhome units in the city. He commented that townhome units and driveways are smaller but when the private roads are added in, the figures net out between the two types of properties. He commented that the proposed fee is in line with the comparison done of other communities, but recognized a new fee is never easy to add. The Public Works Director explained that if this fee were not added, the property tax levy would increase to cover these expenses in the general fund. Mayor Fischer commented that this will also allow the City to be more proactive to address items because they become larger issues that still need to be paid for. There were no further comments from the public. Upon motion by Fischer, seconded by T. Miller, the public hearing was closed. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Motion adopted. Mayor Fischer recognized that this is a new fee and while he is not a fan of new fees, this is a standard fee in communities and allows money to be placed in the right buckets to provide funding for these projects. He noted that this will prevent a situation where funds are not available to address an issue that arises. Kwapick referenced the $500,000 need was divided out to determine the user fee. He noted that would not include the new homes being built. The City Engineer confirmed that when new homes are added, the contribution into the fund will increase by those additional units to continue to build the fund balance. Mayor Fischer noted that the Council would have a voice in determining whether the fee increases from year to year or whether the new homes offset the additional need and therefore the fee could remain flat in those times. D. Miller echoed the comment that if this were not done, the levy could be higher. He noted that this will also provide dedicated funding and allow the City to be proactive when it comes to the stormwater system. Gutierrez noted that this would add transparency to where the funds are coming from and going. Mayor Fischer introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2 023-10-113 — ADOPTING ORDINANCE 878, ENACTING CITY CODE CHAPTER 214 ESTABLISHING A STORMWA TER UTILITY FUND IN LITTLE CANADA AND APPROVING PUBLICATION OF A S UMMAR Y ORDINANCE 0