04-19-93 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 19, 1993 with the City picking up the difference. The Administrator felt that in the Vanderbie/Allen project any assessment over $45 per front foot would be tough to justify. Pedersen stated that he did not want to err on the conservative side in this matter, and felt that the property owner should be assessed the maximum rate that possible. Pedersen pointed out that every dollar that is not assessed goes on general taxation and raises the taxes for all citizens. LaValle stated that he would rather see a policy that is fair and equitable to the homeowners. LaValle pointed out that the City Administrator has studied this issue and has recommended an assessment rate that he believes is equitable, that is what the City should adopt. Pedersen did not believe that the City should be so concerned about going to court that it assesses projects on the low end. Pedersen again pointed out that whatever is not assessed comes from property taxes. The City Administrator felt that the 90/10 ratio was fair to everyone. Scalze stated that she would support the 90/10 assessment ratio. Scalze pointed out that for the 1993 projects the City is proposing to pick up 100% of storm sewer costs as well as anything over an 8"/3" section and width over 30 feet. Morelan pointed out that in essence the policy is 60/40. Morelan felt that an assessment of $4,200 per lot for the Vanderbie/Allen project was about as much as could be assessed under the benefits received test. Chuck Nagle asked if the City Administrator in looking at CPI changes also looked at property value increases, pointing out that property owners will be concerned with the value received. The City Administrator pointed out that housing costs are a part of the CPI adjustment. The Administrator felt there were many ways to look at the issue, and indicated that he has not explored them all. Scalze felt that valuation increases from 1986 to 1993 are larger than the CPI adjustment. Page 5