02-03-14 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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is received within 60 days of the public hearing the project would be submitted for inclusion on the 2014 election ballot. If the ballot initiative is successful we would order preparation of plans and specification s in late November/December of 2014. Depending on the project scope design and permitting could extend to midsummer 2015 with a late summer bid and construction. Alternatively the project could be designed in 2015 with bidding and construction taking place in 2016. Option 1B: Propose an amendment to the Charter A mending the City Charter would follow a separate process. Possible amendments that could be considered by the co uncil are: 1) Submit the 2012 amendment to the voters again. 2) Amend the charter to delete the election requirement under Section 8.04, Subdivision 2 . 3) Amend the charter to provide a procedural exception for projects that are consistent with the street re construction requirements of MN Statut es 475.58, Subd. 3b. This would allow for street reconstruction projects following: a) P reparation of a 5 year street reconstruction plan b) Public h earing c) Unanimous vote of the C ity C ouncil d) 30 day period for petition to hold an election . Petition must be signed by voters equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last municipal ge n e r al election. e) If no petition is received the city may issue bonds without election. Amendment by ordinance would require council approval of the 1 st reading by March of 2014. The Charter Commission would have up to 150 days to review. The amendment would then be sent to the voters for con sideration in the November e lection. If approved and d epending on the scope of the amendment the public improvement process would likely start in 2015 with construction taking place in 2016. Option 2 : Pay for 100% of the improvements with property taxes using Street Reconstruction Bonds. The council may choose to proceed with street construction without the use of special assessments. In this case the project would be funded by the issuance of Street Reconstruction Bonds paid back entirely from property taxes . No election would be required unless petitioned for by residents. Under this scenario the City would need to complete the following: a. D evelop a Five Year Road Reconstruction Plan and h old a public hearing b. The plan must be approved unanimously by the City Council. c. If approved the plan is subject to a reverse referendum provision. If no petition is received within 30 days of the hearing the city may issue bonds without election. Under this process staff would prepare the Five Year Reconstruction Plan for City Council consideration by June. A public hearing would be held and the 30 day petition