10-02-2012 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2012 Page 5 of 8 asked the council for consideration to make this charge reasonable – say the 3900 not the 5900 proposed. Rick Egersdorf, 9960 57th Street North, stated he lives on both Keats Avenue and 57th Street. He expressed that he feels he does not have all the information he would need to abandon his driveway on Keats Avenue. He also has yet to understand what the street project may hold for the future on 57th Street. George Crocker, 5390 Keats Avenue North, expressed his appreciation for the consideration the council is giving to the residents but explained that this situation is a direct result of the 3M contamination, and the responsibility should fall to them, not the property owners. Richard Eder, 9825 47th Street, explained the watermain is going from one development to another and supports the project for the good of the city. However, it is not really benefiting the properties in between. Because the project has changed, it will now affect his property with up to two homes that could possibly hook up to it. He believes the City should reconsider the route and assessment procedure to be more equitable. William Vogel, 5055 Keats Avenue North, is considering connecting to the watermain due to the condition of his current well. He inquired whether residents would be required to connect or if he could opt to put in another private system. City Administrator Zuleger responded the city does not currently require them to connect or prohibit private systems if adjacent to the public system. Joe Magill, 5275 Keats Avenue North, stated he has lived in Lake Elmo for 18 years. He feels this is not right. He stated that if he did decide to connect, he would be happy to pay for it. Stated he loves the city. He believes that any benefit should be assessed when they sell. Rod Sessing, 5699 Keats Avenue North, expressed his opinion that linear distances to watermain should be used in deciding what properties are assessed instead of driveway access to Keats. He explained the water would be just as easily available to all the people on 57th, 59th and 54th, 53rd and 51st. He expressed the desire to share the assessments more broadly. Some of these other properties are closer than those located on Keats Avenue. He also stated that a well is cheaper than the cost to connect and most of them are not going to hook up. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:43 P.M. Council Member Park asked City Engineer Griffin to address the point of adding those properties to the assessments. He responded that this follows the city’s current assessment policy. You are identifying properties to the actual properties that can connect when the project is completed. Including the other properties would require additional projects in order to connect. Mayor Johnston expressed there have been many valid concerns raised and there is much work to do before we bring this to an assessment hearing. Council Member Emmons expressed his appreciation for the public’s input, concern, and valid comments. He expressed his understanding for the fact that the property owners’ were potentially being assessed for something they would not use or benefit from.