03/03/2008 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 3, 2008 APPROVED 1 There was a short review of the discussion of the February 27 work session and 2 discussion to date on all the amendments. It was noted that there was not a clear reaction 3 of the Charter Commission but a commission member did ask what could be changed in 4 the Charter Commission proposal to make it workable. It was identified that, from a legal 5 standpoint, the existing Charter language would be preferable to the Charter Commission 6 proposal which would actually make it harder to fix roads in the city. Regarding the 7 Task Force amendment, it would conceivably make the improvement process easier 8 because it incorporates many of the elements of Chapter 429 but it also includes the 9 element of allowing benefited property owners to stop a project. The requirement for a 10 referendum is removed in both proposals. 11 12 It was clarified that when the Citizens Task Force approved their proposal, the vote was 13 unanimous. 14 15 A council member asked about concern that changing the charter language dilutes the 16 citizens' ability to participate in public improvement decisions; Mr. Bubul suggested that 17 could be a concern but also pointed out that Lino Lakes is basically one of only two cities 18 in the state that has charter provisions like the current (the other is Mounds View that has 19 a reverse referendum). 20 21 It was clarified that the implication of utilizing tax exempt versus non-exempt bonds 22 would be a significant cost difference. 23 24 It was opined by Mr. Bubul that the council couldn't send an amended version of the 25 Task Force proposal and still maintain the right to put the original proposal on the ballot. 26 27 On the question of removing the exempt zones, city staff indicated that the impact is 28 basically monetary on both the city and those assessed. The council discussed the 29 sensibility of removing the zones based on the change of the affected areas from the 30 1990's when the zones were created. They looked at possible objections from the few 31 residential properties that are included. Under the current Charter provision, the property 32 owners can opt out on their own. Under the Task Force proposal, they have no special 33 opt out because they would fall under Chapter 429. The council reviewed the maps 34 indicating how many properties could be impacted. 35 36 It was clarified that under the Task Force proposal, the city would remain one of only two 37 cities in the state that allows the affected property owners to petition out. The Task Force 38 proposal also includes a process to bring the city and the property owners together before 39 the final decision. 40 41 Staff was directed to draft a new ordinance for consideration by the Council on March 24, 42 2008. The ordinance should be the Task Force Proposal minus the exempt zones. 43