01/13/2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2003 APPROVED • sewer costs, the proposed assessment of $72,000 would be an additional cost to the Surface Water • • Management fund or require a referendum. City Engineer Studenski noted that a majority of the residents have petitioned for sanitary sewer and watermain and in accordance with the City Charter, would be assessed for the improvements. Therefore, it is staff's recommendation to authorize the preparation of plans and specifications for the sanitary sewer and watermain improvements. Councilmember Carlson noted the deteriorating condition of 62nd Street between Ware Road and Red Maple Lane and that 13 of 19 residents requested design considerations of utility extensions onto Red Maple Lane. She stated that it was discussed at a work session that this may stop at West Shadow Lake Drive. City Engineer Studenski stated the residents who opposed were at the easterly extension and staff would, through plans and specifications, review how and what benefit would be taken on by the City if that were to be shortened up. At this point, it appears that by shortening it, the project would still be able to address the concerns of residents. But, staff wants to set it up so the City does not incur the additional cost of utilities or road at the east end. Councilmember Carlson asked about the referendum for Red Maple Lane. City Engineer Studenski stated that could be dropped off and all reconstructions go through a referendum. He explained that if it goes through a referendum, the City could apply for MSA with the remainder going to the referendum. Councilmember Carlson noted that those who petitioned would be assessed for improvements and asked what happens if the costs are greater than the benefiting value of the improvement. City Engineer Studenski explained the process to authorize plans and specifications and go out for bids. Once the bids are received, a public hearing will be held on the assessments. At that point, the schedule will allow time if there are any challenges to those assessments. If issues are brought up at that point, the Council would have the ability to not award the contract. City Engineer Studenski stated that extra time frame is included in the schedule to eliminate any challenging of the project after the project is awarded. Councilmember O'Donnell noted the staff report says the proposed assessment would come from the Surface Water Management Fund or a referendum and asked how that will be decided. City Engineer Studenski stated it is a Council decision. Councilmember O'Donnell asked about a possible Comprehensive Plan change and what that would involve. Community Development Director Grochala stated the property is located south of 62nd Street and designated as Low Density, Unsewered Residential as a land use in the Comprehensive Plan. The Plan says that sewer and water cannot be extended to those properties unless by petition and amendment of the Comprehensive Plan. Therefore the Comprehensive Plan needs to be amended to Low Density, Sewered, MUSA needs to be allocated, and the growth area changed. That would require going through not only the Planning Commission and Council to approve the land use amendment but also the Metropolitan Council. In discussion with the property owners, it was implied that the Comprehensive Plan amendment would occur concurrently with the project. 19