08-21-2012 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2012 Page 4 of 15 Council Member Emmons asked what the next MSA road projects on the horizon were. Mr. Griffin said that the next project would be 20th Street from Lake Elmo Ave. east towards West Lakeland Township. Council Member Pearson asked for confirmation that reclamation was not an option due to the soil boring test results. Mr. Griffin confirmed that reclamation was not an option. He indicated that this proposal was rechecked with the geotechnical engineer. Council Member Park asked for a reminder as to the importance and justification for the project. Mr. Griffin explained that this connection must be made before the water system can grow and take on more users. Mayor Johnston reported an email he received regarding the installation of curbs and gutters. The email was in opposition to the additional cost of the curbs and gutters. Again Mr. Griffin explained that due to the rejection of the variance request, the curb and gutter option is the least expensive. Mr. Griffin made it clear that the City did not jump straight to the curb and gutt er option, but this was a reluctant decision. Mayor Johnston stated the normal assessment policy where contiguous property owners are assessed 30% of the cost and the City is responsible for 70%. He and Mr. Griffin discussed how the City Assessment Policy takes the additional step of factoring in traffic data along Collector roads in order to further reduce the burden on the adjacent owners. For this project the property owners are only responsible for 6% and the City will be responsible for 94%. This was done by factoring in the traffic volume for that road. Council Member Park asked if the Lateral Benefit Charge was included in the Tablyn Park Project. Mr. Griffin confirmed that similar charges were included, but he distinguished that project from the Keats Ave project due to the 3M grant money included in Tablyn Park. Council Member Emmons asked for clarification on why running the line down Lake Elmo Avenue instead of Keats was not a feasible option. Mr. Griffin again explained that in order to meet the 2030 growth targets, the Keats Avenue line would still need to be completed eventually. Mr. Griffin reiterated the fluid dynamics issues with the two line location options and the benefits of the Keats Avenue option. Mayor Johnston reopened the continuation of the public hearing at 8:00PM. Peter Eggen of 5250 Keats Ave. N. spoke in opposition of the high costs being assessed to him. He stated that at the last meeting all the residents in attendance were opposed to the project and did not desire water access. He also stated he felt that he did not have any input on the project at all. He said he understood that as a resident of Lake Elmo, he is subject to what Lake Elmo decides. However, he told the council that if the City had to do this project, all the residents of Lake Elmo should be responsible for the costs.