07/14/1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 14, 1997 yet at the point of going forward; that the Council is still in the process of gathering information prior to making a decision. Ms. Ramsden asked for clarification regarding her options (i.e., petition under Charter), and Mayor Landers clarified that the project would follow Chapter 429 guidelines which do not allow for the petition process. Ms. Ramsden asked about exempting her property from assessment due to non-use of the utilities, to which Mr. Powell responded assessment could be based upon service from another location but that it would not be entirely eliminated. Council Member Kuether asked about future property sales resulting in more than one unit of usage, to which Mr. Powell responded the area charges would already by covered but connection fees would be assessed for additional units. Dave Swanson, 501 Lilac Street, pointed out that he is on the north side of Lilac, therefore he would not be required to connect immediately upon completion of the project. He stated that his assessment is currently estimated at $31,000, and asked if that amount would be subject to future increase. Mr. Ahrens responded that each year the costs upon which assessments are based increase slightly (approximately 2%). Mr. Swanson expressed concern that his property would not increase in actual value by the amount of his assessment, to which Council Member Kuether responded the potential exists for subdivision of Mr. Swanson's property (1.5 acres) into 6 lots. Mr. Swanson asked if he could petition against the project and, under Charter, that option is available to him. However, Mr. Ahrens reminded Mr. Swanson that at present he is not required to hook up to the proposed utilities anyway, as he is located on the north side of Lilac Street. Mr. Ahrens also pointed out that in the event Mr. Swanson's property becomes included in MUSA, the assessment would then take effect upon sale of the property. Jill Schroeder, 432 Lilac Street (Tooling Unlimited), expressed concern that the project will go forward without input from property owners. She indicated her opposition to the project. Mike McDonald, 515 Lilac Street, expressed his concern that he would not be able to recoup the cost of the utilities at some future time when he might sell his property. He further requested explanation of how the funds collected through assessment would be used, to which Mr. Ahrens responded by summarizing costs as indicated in Mr. Powell's earlier presentation. Mr. Swanson again addressed the Council, asking for explanation of the basis for assessment to owners of larger parcels of property, expressing concern that this basis was not constant for all properties. Mr. Ahrens stated that all properties were evaluated based upon area and use factors, among others. Future development is also considered. Mr. Swanson asked about the reason for inception of this project. Mr. Ahrens responded that it was a result of Boe Ornamental's need for utilities in order to expand its business. Mr. Swanson concluded by expressing his opposition to the project. 6