07-10-1997 Charter Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Charter Commission July 10, 1997 Page 4 for other purposes,then taxes may have to be increased for road reconstruction work. Commissioner Trehus stated that he is pleased that work is moving forward to create a road reconstruction fund, but does not believe that a Charter Commission subcommittee should have to inform the City Council that funds can be set aside for road reconstruction. It puts the Charter Commission in the position of being a watch dog over the budget. Commissioner Corson expressed concern that a plan be developed with specific projects scheduled into the future, so that residents understand the benefit is equally distributed and that residential streets are the primary target. He referred to the areas that the Charter Commission has exempted from Chapter 429, the state law regulating special assessments and asked how project costs in those areas would be handled. Chair Montain stated that the exempted areas are commercial and industrial. Until a specific project is presented, it is difficult to determine how the numbers would work. It was the consensus of the Commission to support the efforts of the subcommittee to establish a road reconstruction plan. The subcommittee was requested to continue to work toward long-term planning, address revenue resources and how they will be used for future phases. He asked the subcommittee to present an updated report at the October Charter Commission meeting that will hopefully conclude this project. PETITION, INITIATIVE & REFERENDUM Commissioner Dunn stated that a public meeting may be held to inform residents of the purpose of a referendum for approval of the concept of a road improvement fund from which money can be spent on roads. Commissioner Turner stated that a clear way to present the issue to voters would be to simply ask if they would support the City designating a portion of the general fund toward road reconstruction. It will be important for residents to understand how this step will affect them. Chair Montain informed the Commission that another phase of road reconstruction activity is that the City has ordered a feasibility study for Lakes Addition. A public hearing will be held by the City Council at the July 28, 1997 Council meeting. This project includes road reconstruction that will be funded by state aid and developer money. The same process will be used for Ware Road. One Commissioner noted that the newspaper reported that the Ware Road project is planned with $1.2 million of state aid funds, $400,000 of City funding and $300,000 of assessments-4100,000 of which is to be paid by the developer. His concern is what will happen if residents oppose it and/or the referendum does not pass. Chair Montain stated that if there is a petition against the Lakes Addition or Ware Road projects, the motivation for a referendum will be lost. Commissioner Turner disagreed and stated that establishing a road reconstruction fund needs to be addressed regardless of whether specific projects are approved or not approved.