06/23/1997 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 23, 1997 Council Member Kuether asked if property owners will only be assessed $2,000, at this time, and then, in the future when they connect, they would pay the connection fee. Mr. Ahrens stated this is correct and until the MUSA is extended the resident is required to prove need to connect. He noted a hook up ordinance is also being considered tonight which allows a seven year period of time between utility connections. Council Member Bergeson inquired regarding the proposed assessment for sewer and water improvements. Mr. Ahrens advised it includes area unit charges and estimated construction costs. He also explained how this rate will be adjusted to the current area unit charge at the time connection is made. Mr. Ahrens estimated that cost will probably increase by 2% to 4% per year. Mayor Landers opened the public hearing at 6:55 P.M. Tom Drow, 6317 Red Maple Lane, stated an ordinance exists saying if sewer is available and septic fails, residents are required to connect. He asserted the City will require residents to connect if their system fails. Mayor Landers explained the properties outside the MUSA cannot connect unless the resident can prove their system is failing. Mr. Drow stated it sounds like the Council is saying residents never have to connect. Council Member Kuether stated this is true only if the system never fails. Vivian Hanson stated she owns five acres between Hodgson and Ware Roads which is wetland along Ware Road. Therefore, she questioned why she would be assessed since they will never be able to connect to it. Mr. Ahrens explained the assessments are based on access to roadway and if the frontage on Ware Road is wetland, the resident would not be able to develop so the City would not be able to assess. With regard to the utility assessment, the property owner may or may not be able to connect. If a future house cannot be constructed, then that assessment would not apply either. Ms. Hanson stated she would like build on Ware Road if that was possible. However, it is not possible. Clyde Rehbein stated he owns the property on the west side of Ware Road near the intersection of 62nd Avenue. He explained they had a wetland delineation done several years ago because they installed a sewer line to the Fox Trace development and spent considerable expense to assure it was deep enough to serve that property, and the Lehman and Hanson properties. Therefore, the proposed sewer on Ware Road is of no benefit to him. He commented on the Hanson and Lehman wetlands and stated he sees no possibility there will ever be a driveway from those properties onto Ware Road. Mr. Rehbein asked if they will ever be assessed for the sewer on Ware Road if he develops the Hanson and Lehman properties and connect to their internal utility system and never connects to Ware Road utility system. He also asked if the intent is to levy the proposed assessments now or at a future date. Mr. Ahrens explained the City would like to install utilities prior to the roadway reconstruction. The proposal is that assessments be levied on the lots Mr. Rehbein is discussing since a development plan has not been submitted for Council consideration. Mr. Ahrens indicated if those properties do not connect to the Ware Road improvements and Mr. Rehbein installs his own service lines, he would not be assessed for the Ware Road improvements. However. if a lot fronts on Ware Road. the proposed assessment stands.