04-11-2013 Charter Packet (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Why is the city council proposing this change? When the city charter was adopted in 1983, most of the local streets in Lino Lakes were relatively new. Since then, some local streets have reached a point where normal periodic maintenance has lost its effectiveness, and restoration is necessary. Since 1997, the city has held four referendums to reconstruct certain aging local roads. Three have failed. If a referendum fails, the road cannot be reconstructed. The city council recognizes that streets are a major asset to a city and that it's every city's responsibility to keep streets safe and in good condition. A systematic pavement management program is the most cost- effective and efficient way to maintain our city streets. Will this amendment take away my right to stop a road reconstruction project that I don't want? No. A YES vote will amend the city charter A NO vote will leave the city charter unchanged PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROCESS Either neighborhood petitions for, or city council proposes, a public improvement A public hearing is held Neighborhood has 60 days to petition for or against it CURRENT CHARTER PROCESS 51% of the neighborhood petitions against it Project is stopped 51% of neighborhood petitions for it Charter requires a city-wide referendum for the project to proceed Will the passing of this amendment to the charter raise my property taxes? No. Passing the amendment will not increase taxes, however, in the future, rebuilding streets could impact property taxes. If voters do not pass this amendment and referendums continue to fail, over the years, streets eventually will have to be rebuilt anyway. In that case, a combination of special assessments and property taxes can't be used and the city would likely have to rely solely on funds from the general tax levy. Your taxes could potentially be even higher because benefitting property owners will not be assessed and the cost of the project could be directly apportioned to all Lino Lakes residents. PROPOSED CHARTER PROCESS 51% of the neighborhood petitions against it Second hearing is held to take additional testimony Neighborhood has an additional 30 days to stop the project by petition 51% of neighborhood petitions for it Project can proceed unless a requisite number of registered city voters petition for a city-wide referendum within 30 days More background information is available at www.ci.lino-lakes.mn.us Cable channel 16 will broadcast information about the proposed amendment at noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during October If you have questions call community developr f director Mike Grochata at 651-982-2427 or email michael.grochata©ci.lino-takes.mn.us ..�