03-24-14 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 3, 2014 DRAFT 135 That type of project, meeting the requirements of state law, would follow an assessment 136 process allowed under state law. It also streamlines language relative to projects that are 137 one hundred percent assessed and does leave the exempt zone language in the Charter. 138 139 Mayor Reinert said it is time to fix some roads and he'd like to see a street project done 140 this year. A change to the Charter has been attempted several times. He is supportive of 141 meeting with the Charter Commission to see if that is productive. He understands that 142 discussion needs to occur soon though because there is a schedule necessary to get 143 anything on the ballot if that is the choice. The council discussed the time it could take 144 to fulfill the process. Ordinance two would possibly be easier to explain because it 145 simply deals with one element of public improvements — street reconstruction. 146 147 Mayor Reinert said he likes the idea of working with the Charter Commission. He 148 would have concern about considering an amendment this year and not getting a project 149 done though. If a change can occur working with the Commission, that would be great. 150 If not, the roads must be fixed. Mr. Grochala suggested that some preliminary work can 151 be done while the charter process goes on — a street reconstruction plan put in place, a 152 feasibility plan prepared for a project under the current charter language. The council can 153 do a first reading at the March 10 council meeting and forward an ordinance to the 154 Commission. 155 156 The council looks forward to a joint meeting with the Commission at which the groups 157 can work together on an appropriate change. It will be up to the Commission to be open 158 to having a special meeting and then having an open discussion. Engineer Wedel 159 remarked that a goal of coming to an end at one meeting may be ambitious; it may be best 160 to plan for more than a single meeting. 161 162 The council discussed which ordinance they'd like to forward to the Commission. They 163 concluded that both ordinances should be on Monday's council agenda for consideration. 164 165 Mr. Grochala reviewed the street reconstruction bonding process under state law. The 166 law requires an approved street reconstruction plan, keeping assessments within a certain 167 range, and following Statute Chapter 429 for assessment procedure. Mayor Reinert 168 asked Mr. Grochala to prepare a chart that compares proposals and current law and 169 charter. 170 171 Mr. Grochala noted that staff has put together a draft street reconstruction program which 172 he reviewed. It involves updated ranking of street conditions, including traffic volumes, 173 and weighting the average. That leaves a top -ten project area broken into five phases. 174 The next step would be to begin looking at financing options based on those plans. The 175 council is requested to authorize staff to proceed on financing review with some 176 consultant assistance. After further reviewing how the public would be involved in 177 reviewing a plan, the council concurred with the direction. 178 4