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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2013 Page 5 of 10 MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. Council Member Nelson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. Public Hearing opened at 8:49PM Don Slinger 4620 Lake Elmo Ave: asked if the reductions in growth by the Met Council make the water expansion not necessary. Mayor Pearson stated that contrary to what has been published and what he may have heard, the City is still subject to the MOU. Mr. Griffin explained that the improvement is still needed for the entire system both in growth and redundancy. Well #1 will eventually be taken offline. Ms. Smith noted that there is a comprehensive water system. She reiterated several of Mr. Griffin’s points. At some point nearby development will need the water. Mr. Slinger said that he does not understand how the land can be developed. Ms. Smith explained how they can be combined for Open Space Preservation developments. Mr. Slinger also took issue with 11180 50th St. not being assessed. Mr. Griffin said that it does not meet the criteria. Mr. Slinger took issue with that determination. Mr. Slinger said if no current house, means not being assessed, that is not fair. Mayor Pearson stated that in the future that owner would pay entire cost. Mr. Slinger stated he wants to pay the same as the undeveloped lot owners. Mr. Slinger also stated that according to his information, there is no benefit to insurance. Ms. Smith noted that the current users are paying a heavier share because of the low number of users, so it is not just the proposed assessed properties. The water fund and whether it will be flush was discussed. Mayor Pearson disagrees with some of Mr. Slinger’s assertions, and asked Mr. Griffin to respond. Mr. Griffin explained that the initial buy-in is much cheaper up front. Vacant lot assessments are a policy decision, and that some cities do it differently. Some assess the total cost divided by the number of properties. Lake Elmo is not trying to encourage growth, and that assessments can force development. The cost of the later connection charge was discussed and clarified. Mr. Griffin noted that another benefit to the early hook-up. Margaret Schmidt 4525 Lake Elmo Ave: thanked Council for not charging for vacant lots. She was out of town for the neighborhood meeting. She has three lots. She wants to know if at any point she is going to be forced to connect. She also wants to know if she will be forced to stop using her well and what about future owners of her other lots. Will they be forced to connect as well? Discussion of what future OP lots could be. Mayor Pearson said his belief was that there would not be a forced connection. An OP development probably would. Vacant lots getting stubs at early point was discussed. Doug Williams 3946 Lake Elmo Ave: does not want to have to hook up or be assessed. Does not believe that he will want to connect and does not believe he is receiving a benefit. He asserted that he already has the same water. If was going to spend that money, it would not be to connect to water. Kathy Flicek 4890 Lake Elmo Ave: asked when water would begin being used. Mr. Griffin said 2014. The entire system will be using it immediately once pump station is built. Mr. Griffin explained again that the assessment is a very small portion of the entire project cost. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Council Member Bloyer seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED 4-0. Public Hearing closed at 9:23PM. Mr. Bloyer said his perspective has changed as his role has changed. He sees multiple benefits in the water service. He is in favor of taking the same action as done with Keats Ave. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2013-84, ORDERING THE WELL NO. 4 CONNECTING WATERMAIN IMPROVEMENTS WITH ASSESSMENT OPTION #2. Council Member Bloyer seconded the motion.