09-14-1993 Charter Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ben Benson, 6666 East Shadow Lake Drive - Noted that he was a member of the original charter commission and gave a brief background of that matter. He said concern has been expressed for the 18 landowners who are directly impacted by the proposal but asked that the 140+ families represented here tonight be considered. Mr. Benson noted that the City Council had appointed an Economic Director to research and bring commercial development to the City and he should be heard rather than "picked on" . He said that the citizens should listen and learn and possibly there is a compromise because apparently the City is not ready to adopt State Statute 429. Businesses need utilities and not ready to gamble on whether or not they will be available when they are ready to move in. They want the City to gamble. Mr. Benson suggested that if the citizens want specific questions answered regarding the proposal they should attend the meeting tomorrow evening. Mike Stanton, 1157 Main Street - Mr. Stanton referred to the west central trunk improvement of several years ago near and around St. Joseph Catholic Church. He said the Church held several meetings on the subject and were forced to sell some of their property. He also noted that the proposal was to put the sewer through the cemetery. Mr. Stanton asked if the Charter proposal is adopted what is going to protect the farmers. Mr. Peskar noted that if the land is actually farmed, it is protected because it is classified as "green acres" and cannot be assessed until it is sold or taken out of "green acres". Mr. Peskar explained that burial grounds are protected from assessment by state statute. Beverly Landers, 7181 Sunrise Drive - Ms. Landers said that the residents were lied to regarding the west central improvement. Kerry Ostergren, 6900 Black Duck Drive - Ms. Ostergren noted that over 50% of the citizens in Lino Lakes live in areas where there are sewer and water improvements. She asked why 14 of the 15 Charter Commission members do not live in these areas. She felt this was not a fair representation? Ms. Ostergren asked why voters do not have a voice on who represents them on the Charter Commission. Mr. Smith explained that the process of appointment is by an Anoka County judge. Mr. Clausen said that if a business wants to come to Lino Lakes they should "put their money up front" and pay for sewer and water services and not have the citizens pay for them. He noted areas where farmers were forced to sell their property. Mr. Smith explained that there are ways for the City Council to help accommodate the local citizens and noted how this was done in Vadnais Heights. Jon Tenneson, 126 Egret - Mr. Tenneson noted that there is only one (1) landowner in the 49/Lake Drive area and under the City Charter if he does not want to be assessed he can petition out of the assessment. Can he be assessed if that area is changed for State PAGE 10