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WS – Item # 6 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 6 Date: March 3, 2014 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala Re: Charter Amendment/Street Reconstruction Plan Background The City Council discussed three (3) options for advancing street reconstruction projects within the City at the February 3, 2014 work session. They were: Option 1A: Proceed under current Charter Provisions Option 1B: Propose an amendment to the Charter Option 2: Pay for 100% of the improvements with property taxes using Street Reconstruction Bonds. The City Council directed staff to proceed with all 3 options. Additionally, council directed staff to begin preparation of a Street Reconstruction Plan. Charter Amendment Staff has developed two charter amendment options for council consideration. Amendment Option 1 is generally consistent with the amendment placed before voters in 2012. The following changes have been incorporated: 1. Clarifies language regarding benefiting properties to address concerns over area assessments. 2. Changes the percentage of signatures needed to require an election from 12% to 5%. 3. Changes the period of time residents would have to sign a petition for an election from 30 days to 45 days. Amendment Option 2 provides a different alternative than what was previously considered. The proposed amendment carries forward much of the existing charter process, incorporates components of the 2012 amendment providing consistency with existing state law and provides a specific exemption from election requirements of the charter for street reconstruction projects. Generally speaking the amendment would allow for public improvement projects to be undertaken in accordance with state law. As with the 2012 amendment the procedural requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429 would be followed.