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COUNCIL MINUTES July 27, 2009 DRAFT 136 assessments for this project "smells" full of errors. He has spoken with a local city 137 administrator in another area of the country and has heard that they use a better and more fair 138 process for an improvement of this type. 139 140 Mark Vargo, representing East Lino Lakes LLC, owners of 360 acres, stated that they are in 141 support of the proposed improvements as it will assist with development in the area. They 142 reserve the right to offer additional comments in the future as assessments are considered. 143 144 Bob McNeal, 7389 24th Av, said that he has a ten acre property that is residential. He is 145 interested in the deferment process. The road on which he lives, 24th Av, has no industrial 146 access and he wonders if that is a project in the future. Staffresponded to Mr. McNeal that there 147 is an assessment deferment process available and that ultimately Otter Lake Road will be 148 extended but there is no project planned at this point and that too would probably be an 149 assessment situation. 150 151 Rosemary Storgard, 6978 Lake Drive, stated that she would like to speak on behalf of citizens of 152 Lino Lakes that will not benefit from the proposed project. She questions why the cities of 153 Hugo and Centerville are not contributing to the project when they will receive benefit? She 154 would like to know what the taxpayers of Lino Lakes will have to contribute to the project. 155 Staff responded that there is no direct Lino Lakes taxpayer costs at this time; if that were 156 included, the city charter process would engage. 157 158 Michael Trehus, 675 Shadow Court, remarked that this proposed project involves a county road 159 going over a federal highway and his research indicates that such a project would normally be 160 funded through 80-90% federal funds and 10-20% county or state funds. He suggested that it 161 makes no sense that other cities aren't participating. This is a regional project and he believes 162 that in time it would be fully funded without any Lino Lakes' dollars. (Mr. Grochala noted that 163 the project is not in the Minnesota Department of Transportation 20 -year Plan.) 164 165 Comae Sutherland, 889 Main Street, raised the question of who would pay if the assessments for 166 the project are not paid because they are appealed or for any other reason? (Mr. Grochala 167 explained that the city would not be issuing any debt for the project and also that assessment 168 rates include some consideration of appeaL He suggested that the impact in value is fairly clear 169 since it is well accepted that development in the area would not occur in some cases without the 170 improvements.) 171 172 Archie LeSard, owner of a Dairy Queen business on Northern Lights, commented that he very 173 much supports the improvement project. If the interchange isn't improved, he fears for the 174 future of his business and others in that area. 175 176 There being no one else wishing to speak, Council Member Stoltz moved to close the public 177 hearing at 8:00 p.m. Council Member Reinert seconded the motion. Motion carved. 178 179 Staff offered comments in response to questions posed at the hearing. The proposal includes 180 two areas — one govemed by the charter and one exempted from the charter provisions. The 60- 4 -30- • • •