01-27-93 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 27, 1993 project as low as possible. Foster stated that it is debatable whether the front of her house is the Lake Street side or the Jackson Street side. Foster stated that she was not happy about having to pay a$9,000 assessment for a street that she never uses. The resident at 127 Lake Street stated that she preferred to see the quality of the street itself increased rather than the curb and gutter. LaValle asked how many of the residents present favored the various options. There were no residents in favor of Options 1, 3, 5, or 6; six residents preferred Option 2, and three residents preferred Option 4. Scalze stated that she did not support City participation in Option 2 since it was a substandard street. The City Administrator suggested that the Council needed to look at a revised assessment policy. The Administrator reported that the cost of Options 1 and 5 could change significantly depending on the policy adopted. The Administrator reported that he would have that policy ready for Council review at its next meeting. Scalze was concerned about the extent of City subsidy that may be proposed in a revised assessment policy. The City Administrator pointed out that the issue comes down to benefits received, pointing out that property owners could successfully contest an assessment if it did not equal benefits received. The City Engineer pointed out that this issue is being addressed in many Twin City metro communities. The Engineer pointed out that the Law says that a city cannot assess beyond the amount of property value increase. Scalze felt that the issue also depended on where a city was in its tax structure. Hanson suggested that the Lake Street improvement hearing be continued until the next meeting at which time the Council will review a proposed assessment policy. Scalze agreed. Pedersen felt tabling the matter was only avoiding the issue at this point. Pedersen felt the issue was Page 9