10-16-2013 Council Special Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 16, 2013 that the total cost of the Arkwright /Sunrise Area Project is $4,966,000, with the Little Canada portion of the project at $243,000. The Engineer then reviewed Little Canada's assessment policy, which he noted has been in place for approximately 20 years. Based on that policy and the fact that the improvement would be assessed in 2014, the City's per front foot cost would be $65.25. He noted that the City's assessment policy calls for a maximum front footage of 125 feet and a minimum of 75 feet. He noted that the majority of the Little Canada lots are large and would receive an assessment maximum of 125 feet, and one is smaller and would receive the assessment minimum of 75 feet. One of the property owners asked about Maplewood's assessment policy. The Maplewood Engineer indicated that there are differences between the two policies. The City Engineer then reviewed assessment payment methods which provide for payment (either in full or part) with no interest within the first 30 days after the assessment is adopted, or allowing the assessment to be certified against property taxes for collection over a 10 year period at an interest rate estimated at this time to be 5.25 %. The Engineer noted that after certification assessments can be paid off early to the County at any time. He suggested, however, that payments should be made prior to November 15th in the given year or the County will add the next year's interest to the balance. The City Engineer then reviewed the project schedule in detail, noting that if Maplewood orders the project, construction would begin in the Spring of 2014, and the City would hold its assessment hearing in October of 2014. The Engineer then reviewed the preliminary assessment roll based on Little Canada's assessment policy. Blesener pointed out that of the $243,000 cost of this project to Little Canada, the proposal is to assess $62,000 of the cost. The balance would be paid by the taxpayers of Little Canada. Blesener asked if Maplewood has ordered the project. The Maplewood Engineer replied that the project has not yet been ordered and explained their process. One property owner noted that drop in elevation from the street into these Little Canada properties. The City Engineer noted that the addition of curb and gutter will help contain run -off and lessen the erosion problems that property owners are experiencing. A property owner noted that the area does not lend itself to sidewalks. The Maplewood Engineer reported that initially sidewalks were proposed for the area as part of Maplewood's Living Streets Policy. However, given the grade challenges, input from 2