10-24-95 Council Special Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 24, 1995 Charles Nagle, 145 Lake Street, said that Mrs. McDonough was correct. The City ordered the project, and then changed the assessment policy after the fact. Mrs. McDonough is a victim of that change. The City Administrator reported that the assessment policy was changed this year. Morelan stated that the City tried to fine-tune the policy which obviously did not work to McDonough's benefit. Morelan agreed that under the old policy the McDonough property would have been assessed for 75 feet of frontage, and is now being assessed for 125. Scalze pointed out that under the old policy the property would have been assessed for 100% of the cost of curb and gutter. The new policy assessed for 850 of this cost. Nagle reported that in 1993 the McDonough's petitioned for the improvement of Lake Street. They may not have signed that petition had they known the formula would be changed for assessing their property. Mr. McDonough pointed out that the property owners had just wanted the street ground and overlaid. LaValle noted that the cost of an overlay was estimated at $35 per front foot. The reconstruction of Lake Street with curb and gutter is being assessed at $35.78 per front foot. Mr. McDonough pointed out that a good piece of curbing extends along his neighbor's property which is on Lakeshore. McDonough asked if that property owner is being assessed. The Administrator replied that the plan is to assess that footage when Lakeshore is improved. Nagle stated that the discussion from the Lake Street people is not about the cost of the project, but rather the process. Nagle stated that he would like to discuss this painful process and how we might improve it. Nagle began with the history. First, a couple of improvement hearings were held at which residents objected to the projects. At the first improvement hearing, the City Council declined to proceed. The Council then tried again, and again the property owners 21