10-22-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council October 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Page 9 • Jim Cavanaugh of 7956 Red Oak Drive said he has lived in this location for 35 years. Mr. Cavanaugh said that this process has been going on for 9 years and the Task Farce has met for years on this, and all meetings were open to everyone, and were televised. There was a group of 20 that came to the meetings for two years, and no one else came, but now they have come with questions and suggestions. Mr. Cavanaugh said that he feels that issues and concerns have been heard by Council and noted that not everyone is going to agree on this project. He then asked Council to move on with this project and get this done. Bill Doty asked what percentage of properties within the City are valued at less than $200,000. Staff estimated that a majority of houses hover around the $20Q,000 mark. Mr. Doty said that he is for fixing the infrastructure but he would like ta use the money that is in hand rather than trying to make up more by further taxing residents. Mr. Doty said that he is not for cities or governments having big cash reserves. Mr. Doty suggested letting the residents decide how to pay for this. • Mayor Marty, having no further comments, closed the public hearing at 9:14 p.m. Council Member Mueller said that the interest from the Medtronic fund is being used to help generate the street projects for the City. She then said that the interest from that money has allowed the City to carry a 0% levy increase for the last three years. Council Member Mueller said that the City levy is spread out over the entire City and property taxes have gone down a few dollars in the last few years. She then said that there is a temptation to spend the money, but the levy reduction fund has been used to hold down tatces now for the third year in a row, and if it is spent, then it is not available to use to keep taxes down. Council Member Mueller indicated that voters approved a maYimum of 5% increase on any spending unless a referendum is done. Council Member Mueller provided an overview of the scenario if the City did not have the levy reduction funds, and noted that the costs would climb. Council Member Mueller said that she would like to see this project bring the community together with really great streets and community pride. Council Member Flaherty agreed with Council Member Mueller. He then said that residents should not be selfish because there are those that would be contributing that receive no direct . benefit such as the businesses, manufactured home residents, and those that live on County roads, and those residents have not been complaining.