10-25-1999 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 21 the residents. He stated it was very difficult to obtain information, and he felt this was very unfair for the citizens. Planning Commissioner Ordeen Braathen, stated in his personal opinion, the proposed tax increase percentage was not a problem, whatsoever. He thanked the Council for, in his opinion, being more responsible for the finances of the City, than has been seen in quite some time. He added that he believed the Council was doing a good job. Duane McCarty, previous Mayor of the City of Mounds View stated he has lived in Mounds View for 35 years and a year after he moved in, the new sanitary sewer and water system was installed, and they filled in their cesspool, and he thought this was a good deal. He explained over the 30-year assessment process, he paid $32 per year, for a total of$960. He stated he was aware the City's intra-structure was getting old. He stated he wanted the sanitary sewer system replaced when it breaks down, but he doesn't want to pay for it. He stated he wants good roads around him so the value of his home stays up with the surrounding cities. He explained his property value is computed on a cost comparison basis, and if a like home in a near City has better intra-structure, it will demand a higher price than his home. He stated he wants his home value protected, and wants good roads around him,but he doesn't want to pay for this. Ex-Mayor McCarty stated he did not like taxes or franchise fees. He explained the reason the City went to the franchise fee for this consideration, was because the Council at the time it was implemented, did not have a plan or policy in place for the use of those funds. He stated the road policy was being attacked from all fronts. He noted during the very last months of his service on the Council, they managed to appoint the Streets Policies Committee, however, the committee's work was not completed until this year. He stated, for the first time, since the City has run out of the road funds that were dedicated from the Silver Lake Woods Project in the early 1980's, they now have a plan in place, and the opportunity to fund that plan, to assist with the intra-structure and keep it healthy. He stated this would provide that the property values don't decrease, however, he doesn't want to pay for it. Ex-Mayor McCarty explained it appears to be at such cross-purposes to be calling for these services and understanding the ramifications if the intra-structures are let go, and on the one hand cry for that, and on the other hand, howl about the cost. He stated the reason the City lowered the franchise fee last year, and set up a schedule to reduce it out of existence, was because they had enough movement in the levy to absorb the costs that the franchise fee had formerly supported. He stated it was determined with careful consideration that if they were going to take the money for a program, then they should take it in the most proper and visible source, the property taxes. He stated he did not like paying property taxes, however, the matter was that simple. He explained that now that there is a road plan in place, via the Streets Policies Committee recommendations and the Council's adoption of those recommendations, they need to pay for this, or do nothing and let the intra-structure deteriorate, which would not be very wise stewardship for the future, or for themselves, and simply does not make sense. Ex-Mayor McCarty stated there was not a "cast in stone" promise that the franchise fee would eventually disappear. He explained there was a plan in place with a sunset caveat attached, that the matter would be reviewed on an annual basis, and kept at the front of the debate, so that people would be aware of what was happening, and would have the opportunity to make their wishes known.