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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/1976 Council MinutesNovember 16, 1976 The Public Hearing for the consideration of utilities in the Lexington Park Lakeview area was called to order at 8:05 P.M. on November 16, 1976 by Mayor Bohjanen. Council members present; Karth, Schneider, Zelinka. Absent; McLean. Mr. Don Carley, Engineer, Mr. John Burke, Attorney and Mr. Barry Berg Fiscal Agent were also present. Mayor Bohjanen told the people this meeting had been called as the result of a petit- ion from that area. The Engineer had done a feasibility report and had recommended a public hearing. He then turned the meeting over to the Attorney. Mr. Burke announced this meeting notice had been published in the legal paper two weeks in succession and notices had been mailed to all property owners in the area. He then turned the meeting over to the Engineer. Mr. Carley presented his report. He said this started with the petition. The area to be considered is one mile in length, running from Elm Street to North Road, from Sunset Avenue to Sunrise, also to include Rustic Lane. The lines would run South from Elm and North from North Road to Gladstone, thence to a lift station near Rice Lake, thence West on North Road to the interceptor. Once a feasibility report has been presented to the Council, then a public hearing must be ordered. The Council has three options as a result of this hearing; 1) they can vote to abandon the project; 2) vote to continue this hearing; 3) vote to order the Plans and Specifications and advertise for bids. This can be done anytime within the next six months. Mr. Carley said he would try and answer some of the usual questions that are asked at hearings such as this. If some one did not receive a notice, it probably went to the mortgage company or if some one is buying on a contract for deed, the notice probably went to the fee owner. On this specific project the estimated cost is $1.9 million dollars. The Council had requested an alternate plan for the installation of the sewer lines, so the estimate has been revised. He presented the cost figures on the minimum installation. This would place the sewer line down the back lot line and allow the home owner to split his lot and sell the back portion, if he so desired. Mr. Carley said this City has been talking to the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission for approximately five years for sewer facilities in both Lino Lakes and Centerville and they have finally agreed to allow some sewers in both areas. Mr. Carley touched on the new PCA requirements as to the installation of septic systems. He told the people these systems will be monitored annually and it will be necessary to obtain a permit to pump the systems. Mr. Carley explained a little on the Public Works Bill. The State of Minnesota will receive approximately 18 million dollars for the entire State and the rate of employ- ment is one of the ruling factors on who receives the monies. Mr. Carley discouraged the people from expecting too much from this program. The amount of the assessment will be discussed later but at this time Mr. Carley dis- cussed how these assessments can be paid. If they are prepaid, there is no interest, or they can be paid off at any period during the assessment time schedule. Special assessments must be paid in full if the home is sold under a FHA or VA loan. The special assessments may be deferred if the owner is 65 or older and meet certain re- quirements. r 1 X75 November 16, 1976 On a corner lot only the front footage is used for assessment purposes except for the side lot line that extends beyond 150'. This can be sold immediately and therefore benefits from the installation. He explained the people have one year from the date of installation to hook into the system. This is a State Law. Mr. Carley said some people wonder why the water and sewer cannot be put in the same trench - here again the State Law rules in these lines must be a minimum of 10 feet apart. On odd shape lots, the front and back measurements are added together and divided by two to get the average footage and the assessment is placed on that footage. This plan includes the installation of stubs. Mr. Carley also told the people the SAC for 1976 is $350.00 - for 1977 - $375.00 and will increase $25.00 per year until it reaches $600.00. This is collected in leiu of a Metro Waste Control levy on each community. Mr. Carley explained the alternate route for the sewers. This would allow for the in- stallation of the sewer lines down the rear lot lines and would only require two lines from North Road to Elm Street in place of three lines down the center of the streets and would reduce the overall costs by that amount. Mr. Carley told the people the lift station and force main would be designed to handle a larger area than just the Lakeview area and the cost would be assessed to 1320 acres at $160.00. This method would cost approximately $2,847.00 per 125.' lot. On a twenty year assessment, the yearly cost would be $256.00 per year or $21.00 per month. The people seemed to be concerned about the length of the pipe to connect with the sewer line. Mr. James Gruber of Lakeview said there is only a 5' easement across the IIIback of the lots. Mr. Joe Davis of Sunrise asked, if two houses were served by one Line with this method, would the SAC be divided in half? He was told, No, the SAC is per unit. Mr. Davis asked about the property East of Sunrise, will these lands not be considered? Mr. Car- ley said only in the matter of the acreage assessments. Mr. Davis asked the average costs per foot for the hook up lines? Mr. Carley said approximately $6.00 to $9.00 per foot. Mr. Zelinka explained by this method, with the existing systems going out the rear of the homes, it would be a simple matter to hook up and would eliminate the necessity of digg- ing up the basement floors. Mr. Steven Clare of 6949 Lakeview felt the basement floors could be dug up and restored and it would cost less the the long hook up line necessary if the sewer is installed on the rear lot lines. Mr. Ron Hale, 7024 Lakeview asked if the same pipes could be used and was told, No. Mr. Voller, 6929 Sunrise, felt that his basement would be below the sewer Fines and ask- ed if he would have to install a pump to reach the main Fines. Mr. Carley assured him the sewer lines would be well below all basements in the area. Mr. Floyd Matti, 7141 Sunset, felt the 200 or so feet of line from the main line to the house would create a problem in keeping clean and the cost would be out of line. IIIMr. Zelinka said that each two lot owners could put in a common line and share the cost, there is quite a difference in the cost of installing the 200' of line and replacing a street. Mr. Virgil Beecher, Lakeview Avenue, didn't feel the cost was that much different - he felt it should be put in the front and done the right way. 176 November 16, 1976 There was discussion on the lands East of Sunrise and what happens to them if the sewers go down the rear of the lots. Mr. Arnold, Sunrise Avenue, asked about the three homes on the East side of Sunrise and the homes on Rustic Lane, Mr. Carley assured her they would also receive sewer. Mrs. Jan Wymore, Lakeview Avenue, asked about a $14.70 per front figure and where this came from? did the petitioners have this figure? Mr. Carley said, No, these are the only figures that have been prepared. The Centerville costs were brought into the discussion. Mr. Carley said that Centerville is an entirely different project and a different' form- ula was used to set the assessments. Cannot go by figures read in a paper - no two comm- unities are alike. Mr. Cooper from Sunset Avenue asked what the cost per front foot would be not the cost per lot. Terry Clare, Lakeview Avenue said the petition asked for sewers, water, and storm sew- ers and streets, - felt this should all be done at once - would save money in the long run. The residents along Sunrise felt the empty land to the East should pay their portion of this assessment. Mrs. Jeanette. Gates, Lakeview, said the wells and septic systems are over 20 years old and have reached their capacity. Mr. Arnold, Sunrise, said the ground absorption has reached its limit. She wanted the lines in the front of her home. Mr. Howard James, Lakeview Avenue, asked if there would be an increase in taxes? Mr. Joe Davis, Sunrise Avenue, asked if any Federal Aid figure had been plugged into these costs? is there any available? any other funds? Mr. Carley said the only fund- ing available is the Public Works Act and this is being applied for throught a joint application with Blaine, and Lexington for water. Mr. Steven Clare asked if there are any Federal Funds and Mr. Carley said, No, just for the construction of treatment plants and interceptors. These funds are all controlled by the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Matti, Sunset Avenue, asked about hooking into the lines currently located in the street on Sunset. It was felt the lines on Sunset only extend about one block or less north of North Road and would be of very little use to the project. There was general discussion on the lands North of Sunrise Park and that they should share the cost; the easement on the rear lot lines; and the covenant that had been placed on the lands at the time of development. Mr. Zelinka said the covenant has expired but the utility easement is perpetual. Mr. Rick Juleen, 47 Fairmont, asked how he would hook up and he has paid the SAC, would he have to pay again. He was told the lines would run to his home from Lakeview and the SAC is only paid one time. Mrs. Wymore, Lakeview, asked why a corner lot should pay more than other lots of the same size? Mr. Carley said because the back portion of the corner lots can be sold immediately and thus benefit from the installation. There was discussion of the homes along Sunset hooking into the Blaine system, thus November 16, 1976 IIIMaking only two lines necessary. Mr. Zelinka said these homes would have to go under Sunset to hook up and that costs about $40.00 per foot. Mr. Cooper said there are no sewers on Sunset, just laterals and storm sewers. Mr. Randy Ringaman, 6833 Rustic Lane, asked, if all the utilities are put in the streets, will the streets then be upgraded? at a certain width? Mr. Carley said, Yes, the str- eets would be paved with curbs and gutters. Mr. Gardner, 7172 Sunrise, asked what the cost would be if the utilities are put in the street and the entire project done? Mr. Schneider wondered what the cost would be to the City if the sewers are put in the streets in reference to the footage of Sunrise Park? Mr. Carley said if the entire project is constructed the cost is $1.9 million dollars - approximately $6,900.00 per 125' lot; just sewer in the street - $1,090 million dollars - approximately $4,300.00 per 125' lot; sewers in the rear - $730,000 dollars - approxim- ately $2,800.00 per 125' lot. Mr. Truman, 7173 Sunrise, felt the cost of installing the sewers in the rear of the lot lines would be-just as costly as putting the lines in the front. He was concerned about the long line necessary to connect to the sewer line in the back and the problems of keeping that line open. Mr. Carley was asked if these estimates are on the low side and he told the people that IIIhis firm makes estimates such as these on the high side and he pointed out the Center - ville bids came in about $200,000.00 under the estimated cost computed by his firm. There were many people who did not want to sell the back portion of their lots and there- fore felt this would not benefit them. They would perfer the utilities in the street. Mr. Clare felt the figures had been presented and felt that a count should be taken on who wants what. Mr. Zelinka asked who wanted all the utilities in the street - approximate count - 31; who wanted just the sewer in the front - 4; in the back - 0; who wanted nothing - 21. Mr. Munchou asked, if the streets were put along the back of the lots,would there be a hearing of all people notified and he was told, Yes. Mr. Ringaman felt this area is in reports as being a probi;em area. He felt the system would save money in the long run in that the people could put the system in at their option and not be forced to by the PCA. Mr. Howard James asked when there would be knowledge on Federal Funds being available? Mr. Carley said there are no Federal Funds except for the construction of treatment plants and interceptors. Someone asked when the construction would take place and how long it would take. Mr. Carley said if the plans and specifications are ordered now, bids would probably be in around the first of March, the construction would be done in the summer of 1977 and the IIIassessments would be placed on the tax rolls for payment in 1978. Mr. James suggested delaying this for six months to investigate the Federal Fund Quest- ion question. Mr. James asked when the project would then be completed and Mr. Carley said, a year later and the costs would have gone up as a result of the current inflat- ion trend. 78 November 16, 1976 Mr. Schneider told the people, if the joint water project with Blaine is approved for Federal Funding, approximately $170,000.00 will be cut from this cost figure. Mr. Jim Gruber asked if he sells his home now would he be responsible for the assess- ments, and was told, at this stage, No. Mr. Zelinka moved to continue this hearing. Mr. Ringaman asked, why continue? Mr. Schneider said so they can see the figures. Mr. Ringaman felt the figures had been presented. Mr. Zelinka said he needs time to assess the people's reaction - this is a lot of money. Mr. Berg felt a continuation would give the Council time to study the proposals and give the people who aren't here a chance to be present. Mayor Bohjanen said this is an awful lot of money and he needed time to consider. Mr. Zelinka moved to continue the 76 -3 project hearing until Thursday, Dec, 2, 1976 at 8:00 P.M. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Schneider moved to put a notice in the Circulating Pines and the Forest Lake Times noting this continuation. Seconded by Mr. Zelinka. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting was continued at 9:45 P.M. These 'nutes were approved, with correction on /6pt, 1 �j kAA N W f4-4Lol/ CLERK - TREASURER 1 1