Agenda Packets - 1993/09/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council Page Mine Regular Meeting September 13, 1993 Maja Werner, 2765 Sherwood Road, stated that in the last two years the City has imposed a utility fee, imposed a franchise tee for gas and electric and now are proposing an additional fee for a surface water management utility. If a Mounds View taxpayer were to sit down and add up these fees on a yearly basis and had that amount placed on property taxes he would scream "bloody murder". The City continues to put more and more fees on the taxpayers. Ms. Werner stated that it was her belief that this was the wrong philosophy. Mayor Linke stated that the taxpayers would be paying more if this amount would be put on their taxes than they are paying on a utility fee. Duane McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road, stated that the Council and staff should get into a retreat as soon as possible. Mr. McCarty suggested that the Council pull back on these additional charges and calculate the amount to be placed on the 1994 taxes and then get citizens involved and make the FOCUS 2000 :cork. Mr. McCarty stated at this rate the residents are building up resentment for the Council and it will continue until the Bel -Rae will he filled again. The "hidden taxes" will not work. Mayor Like stated that. the tax rate can be adjusted now, however, in the beginning there was io track record to go by as far as rates are concerned. McCarty stated that Councilmember Wuori stated that the City Council has decided to take a more proactive stance on street lights. Mayor Linke stated that the installation of street lights is based on resident requests and petitions just as it was when Mr. McCarty was Mayor. Mayor Linke was not at the Work Session in which the proactive stance was discussed, but stated that it is time to become more proactive with regard to the street lights. The Council has requested that the Police earmark high crime areas and the City can be more proactive and put in street lights •where they are needed. Duane McCarty stated that the Council has to take a proactive stance and use the talents and energies of his staff. McCarty stated that this has not been done in the past. McCarty stated that the Council should back off and come back to the residents with a proactive plan -- a plan to get support of the community. Mayor Linke stated that he is not in favor of putting in a street light where it is not wanted by the residents just because the Police have earmarked that location for a street light. Duane McCarty stated that if the area is a high crime area and the Police have suggested a street light be put in to aid in the reduction of crime, the citizens will more than likely come forth and support the placement. Mr. Werner asked if the street light atility fund is a designated or undesignated fund.