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Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 13 however, the State of Minnesota has set levy limits and restrictions on city government, and there must be a funding source for the roads. He explained the next road projects will be coming forward in 2 to 3 years, and either he, or a future Mayor, would be receiving a report that a road must be done, and there will be no funds available. Mayor Coughlin stated he was planning for the future. He commented this was a painful process, and he wished past Council's had considered the long term, and provided a plan to pay for the roads. He explained, however, "the buck stops here", and he would take responsibility for it. He stated it was his desire to leave a City that is in as great, or better shape, when his children are grown, and he is an old person, in one of the senior high rises. He added that whether or not you agree with this explanation, the Council has a duty to protect the investment of the citizens who have gone before, in the streets, sidewalks, trails, and intra-structure of the City. Mayor Coughlin reiterated that Mounds View is a small town, and they have not invested in the intra-structure when they should have, and when it would have been much less expensive. He reiterated that what is good in terms of road standards can be debated, however, the City can not, and he will not, ignore this issue, and pass this responsibility on to someone else. He added he was not about to sign a document to reduce assessment rates on citizens when their roads need to be redone, if the City does not have funds available to make up the difference. He explained the good faith of the City begins with the Mayor, and he intends to meet these obligations, adding that if this proposal is overturned, he will propose an 100 percent assessment rate for everyone, so they can pay for the road in front of their house. Mayor Coughlin noted a recent street project on his road, and a number of people who live there had asked him how they were going to pay $7,000 to $9,000 for assessment. He explained that many of these people live on fixed incomes and can not afford to pay this amount, even on a ten- year payment plan. He advised that he must protect the interests of these people as well. He stated these projects would cost a certain amount of money, whether they are paid for in small increments, or up front. He noted that bonds are delayed taxation, plus interest, and he advised the City could set money aside, and earn interest on it to provide there is a little more to work with when the time comes to undertake some of these projects, or there will be no funds available. Mayor Coughlin stated this matter was not optional, and must be addressed. He added if anyone could come forward with a better idea of how to generate the funds necessary to deal with these issues, he was more than willing to listen. He explained, however, the hands of the City have been tied with levy limits and the like, and the City must act now. He reiterated there are streets and roads in the City that will require attention in a few years, and that will not be the time to deal with the funding issue. State Representative Barbara Haake stated her home was located on County Road I, one of the roads that has recently been resurfaced. She commented that many people have driven down her road, and are aware of the condition it was in, and how very important it was that it was upgraded. She added this was not the only road in Mounds View in this type of condition. She stated she sat on two committees at the State House of Representatives, that relate to the present consideration, Transportation Policy and Transportation Finance, which are addressing State policy in terms of the roads;and how they will finance-them.