10-21-09 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOER 21, 2009 rate is $15.02 per front foot and commercial properties are assessed on total length. The Engineer then reviewed assessment payment methods available to property owners. Assessments can be paid in full or part at the City within the first 30 days with no interest. Unpaid balances will be certified to Ramsey County for collection with property taxes over a 10 year period at an interest rate o£ 5.25%. Once an assessment is certified to the County, property owners have the option of paying off their assessment balance any time during the 10 year collection period. The Engineer pointed out however, that balances paid after November 15°i in any given year will be charged the next year's interest. Therefore, he suggested that property owners be aware of that date, and should they plan to pay their assessment, they should do so prior to November 15'x' to save the next year's interest. The Engineer reviewed other related issues noting that senior citizens or disabled individuals on a fixed income can make application for an assessment deferral. He noted, however, that interest does accrue on deferred assessments. With regard to the interest on assessments, the City Engineer suggested that property owners consult with their tax advisors on whether or not this interest is tax deductible. He indicated that there is conflicting information on this issue. The Engineer then reviewed the proposed Assessment Roll pointing out that the Assessment Roll has been corrected due from what was previously available. Timothy Carle, 249 Demont Street indicated that he has 50 feet of frontage and questioned why he is being assessed for 75 feet. The City Adminishator noted that under the City's Assessment Policy, the odd- shaped lot formula had been used to determine the assessment of this property. That formula resulted in a maximum footage assessment of 125 feet. When Mrs. Carle raised this issue, staff reviewed the assessment and is recommending that the Carle lot be assessed the minimum footage provided under the policy, that being 75 feet. The Administrator noted that the City's Assessment Policy has been in effect since the 1990's and the minimum assessment footage of 75 feet was based on the City's minimum lot width. The City Engineer explained the odd-shaped lot £ormula in detail. Mr. Carle indicated that they never received notices of the improvement nor the fact that property owners would be assessed for it. The City Adminish•ator reported that at least three public hearing notices were mailed to impacted property owners. The City Clerk reviewed the record and verified that the Carle's were mailed these notices. 2