Minutes - 2015/04/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council April 13, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 3 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 8372, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for a Private Sewer Improvement at 8130 Edgewood Drive. Finance Director Beer explained that last summer there was a sewer line break at 8130 Edgewood Drive. The property owner signed a waiver of assessment, which allowed the City to make the repair. In the interim, the property owner filed a claim against the City and the insurance company had denied their claim. Finance Director Beer recommended that the Council adopt the 10-year special assessment, which would have a 5% interest rate and $35 administrative fee for the private sewer improvements at 8310 Edgewood Drive. Peter Slabiak, 8310 Edgewood Drive, thanked the Council for allowing him to voice his concerns. He explained that the entire assessment process has been a learning experience for him. He indicated that the initial estimate for the repairs was $4,000 to $7,000. He noted that the repairs came in at $12,600. This did not sit well with him due to the fact dewatering had to occur in order for the contractors to complete the work. He questioned why the dewatering expense was not written into the initial estimate as this may have led him to seek additional quotes for the work. Mayor Flaherty asked if the paper he signed had the initial estimate amount on it. Mr. Slabiak reported that the agreement he signed for improvements in the public right of way, the City estimated the expense to be $4,000 to 7,000. Mayor Flaherty reviewed the findings from the League of Minnesota Cities noting that the City was not negligent with regard to this case. He discussed how the Council was charged with spending the people’s money noting he would struggle with spending City funds on this assessment as the improvements provided personal gain to the Slabiak’s alone. He apologized that this happened to the Slabiak’s and that the sewer problem was worse than originally anticipated. Mr. Slabiak responded that he was an active member of the community and believed he was a benefit to the neighborhood as he has been rehabbing a rundown home. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the Slabiak’s pursued another vendor to complete the sewer repair. Mr. Slabiak indicated that he had spoken to other vendors, but there was a delay in getting a contractor on site to complete the work and he was told by the City to make the fix immediately. Council Member Meehlhause reported that if the Slabiak’s had hired a vendor to complete this work, it would have been on the homeowner’s dime and would not be assessed over 10 years.