12-19-07 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 19, 2007 that this was a tough issue and acknowledged the significant assessment amounts being proposed. Pew asked why the City assesses for an improvement after it is completed. The City Administrator explained this process, and indicated that given the City's cap that is in place assessments could be levied prior to construction. However, the City has chosen to assess after a project is substantially complete. He noted that if this project moves forward, it would be assessed in the fall of 2008, and the final lift of asphalt would be installed in the spring of 2009. Tracy George, Thunder Bay Road, asked why this project is being proposed at this time when the City indicated that it would not be until Unweave The Weave was completed and traffic died down. The City Administrator indicated that Unweave The Weave will be completed in 2008. He also noted that traffic levels have been light in the area given that the LaBore Road bridge is closed. George asked why existing urban section streets are being reconstructed before deteriorating rural section streets. The City Administrator reported that the City Engineer has ranked streets based on their conditions. However, due to weather impacts, some streets break up prematurely and have to be moved forward on the list. George asked if she could review the street rating system. The Administrator indicated that he would provide her with that document. Joe Walker, Thunder Bay Road, asked how the City ranks a street, and noted that from Allen Avenue to the cul-de-sac there appears to be few problems with Thunder Bay Road. The City Administrator indicated that it depends on the nature of the cracking. He pointed out that alligator cracking indicates that the base is contaminated. The blacktop will then break up and there is no base left under it. The City Engineer did a thorough study of the streets a few years ago, and has been updating that study based on visual inspections. Walker questioned the amount of an assessment for a cul-de-sac lot given the limited amount of frontage on the street. The City Administrator pointed out that while a typical rectangular lot is assessed based on frontage, a formula has been established to use for assessing cul-de-sac lots. That formula factors in lot area. He noted that lots are also subject to minimum and maximum assessments. The Administrator noted that for some projects the City has utilized a per lot assessment. The Administrator pointed out that each lot abutting the street makes comparable use of the street. Therefore, the policy tries to come to an equitable apportionment of assessments. 16