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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />MAY 24, 1995 <br />The City Administrator reported that the 80~/20~ <br />assessment policy did not work. Street reconstruction <br />costs would have run approximately $70 per lineal foot, <br />and that level of assessment would never meet the <br />benefits received test. The Administrator also <br />reported that in reviewing the City's previous <br />improvement assessments, the City never did assess 80% <br />of the cost of a street project. It appears that the <br />previous City Engineer had been allocating certain <br />costs to the City. <br />Morelan asked if appraisals have been done on each of <br />the street projects, and asked if the appraisers know <br />the level of assessment that the City is trying to <br />justify. <br />The Administrator replied that "wind shield" appraisals <br />have been done, and the appraisers have been aware of <br />proposed assessment levels. <br />Pedersen pointed out that this is typical, but asked if <br />a higher number could be justified. <br />Morelan asked if it were the Council's goal to assess <br />at the highest rate possible. <br />Scalze replied that that was her goal. <br />Fahey stated that he would like assessment levels as <br />high as legally sustainable. Fahey pointed out that <br />the Federal Government is cutting programs, which in <br />turn will be the responsibility of the State, and could <br />result in aid to cities being cut. Fahey pointed out <br />that proposed maximum assessment rate of $45.00 per <br />lineal foot, and asked if the assessment rate of $47.42 <br />for Lake Street was supportable. <br />Morelan asked if an appraisal is done for every street <br />improvement project. <br />The City Administrator reported that an appraiser does <br />a review of every project to determine the general <br />level of assessment which can be supported. Should an <br />assessment be appealed, then a full appraisal is done. <br />The Administrator felt that the $45.00 proposed in the <br />policy was right at the maximum supportable assessment <br />level give or take a couple of dollars. The <br />Administrator felt that the maximum rate will make the <br />improvement process easier since the City will be able <br />to tell property owners the maximum cost of an <br />2 <br />