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g2//, o � �1/ °ateadz <br />515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 <br />(651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 <br />www.d.little-canacla.ron.us <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Mayor 131esener & Members of the City Council <br />FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator <br />DATE: April 18, 2008 <br />RE: Housing Improvement Area — Minnesota Statutes Chapter 428A.11 <br />MAYOR <br />Bill Blesener <br />COUNCIL <br />Rick Montour <br />Barbara Man <br />Jolur Kelm <br />Michael McGraw <br />ADMINISTRATOR <br />Joel R. Hanson <br />Attached the statutory authority for I- Iousing Improvement Areas. Staff just became aware of this <br />provision when another townhome association asked us to look into it as a way to possibly assist them <br />with a major window replacement project. In reviewing the statute, it was obvious that this would be an <br />excellent option for the Canabury Townhome Association driveway issue as well. This statutory <br />authority is set to sunset in the summer of 2009 without a legislative extension. <br />The basics of this authority require a petition signed by at least 25% of the association's members asking <br />the City to consider the imposition of a fee on the members of the association that would be used to <br />recover the cost of agreed upon improvements. If petitioned, we would hold a public hearing on the fee <br />and the proposed improvements. Association members would be heard and have the right to object and <br />appeal to district court much like a special assessment. An ordinance creating the housing improvement <br />area would be needed as well as another hearing on the imposition of the fees. Furthermore, we would <br />have the ability to bond for these improvements without that debt counting against our net debt limit. <br />Staff will do additional research into this option and provide a verbal update at Wednesday's meeting. <br />Based on your reaction to this option, staff would be looking for direction as to our desire to use this tool <br />and under what parameters (i.e. do we make other associations aware of this option given its limited <br />duration so we are treating them all equally ?) <br />1 <br />