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Mounds View City Council December 11, 2000 <br />Regular Meeting Page 7 <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney stated what the City is proposing is ongoing repair for any break in <br />service now or in the future whether or not somebody has already paid to repair their service. He <br />knows of no other City that does this in the area so Mounds View would be setting precedent by <br />approving this program. In his opinion it gets back to who is responsible for what. Residents <br />should not expect the City to provide a driveway, water and sewer lines to the street that is a <br />resident responsibility. Providing the ability to hook up to streets, sewer and water is a City <br />responsibility. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney stated he believes the City is remiss as it did not survey residents <br />through the water bill to determine how many residents would be in support of paying for such a <br />program. <br /> <br />Mayor Coughlin indicated Council did not direct Staff to survey residents when water bills were <br />sent out. Staff was directed to inform residents of the proposed change through other forms such <br />as the billboard out front of City Hall. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney indicated the majority of Council did not want residents surveyed when <br />the water bills were sent out but he had expressed a desire for polling of residents to determine <br />interest level and inform of the proposed change. <br /> <br />Mayor Coughlin indicated Council and City Staff had done a responsible job of informing <br />residents of the proposed change as shown by resident turnout at the first public hearing and at <br />tonight’s meeting. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney indicated the Council elected not to have residents surveyed as he <br />believes should have been done. Council Member Stigney inquired as to how much the City will <br />have to pay the contractors to be under contract with the City. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Ullrich explained that contractors had not yet been contacted so he had no <br />price at this point in time. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney indicated the City is attempting to help residents pay high water service <br />repair bills through this program. He knows of one City who helps by paying the first $1,000.00 <br />of the repair. In his opinion there is a question as to whether or not the City should be paying for <br />repairs. The way to fund those repairs is also an issue for Council Member Stigney. If the City <br />took 1/10th of the franchise fee and put it into this fund the City would not need to charge <br />residents for water service repair. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney indicated the City could charge the water service repairs as a special <br />assessment on the property allowing residents time to pay for those repairs or could use the <br />interest earned on the TIF funds. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney indicated he would first like the program defined and then discuss how <br />to fund the program. Charging the residents $16.00 a year to fund the program is fine if residents