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EHLERS AND ASSOCIATES, INC. <br /> FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS <br /> FIRST NATIONAL-SOO LINE CONCOURSE 507 MARQUETTE AVE. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402 339-8291 [AREA CODE 612) <br /> • <br /> November 28, 1979 ��'1\(lc), t• <br /> � yLr <br /> r ) <br /> Mr. Jeff Nelson 1,% 1s" <br /> City Administrator <br /> 2401 Highway 10 <br /> St.- Paul, Minnesota 55112 <br /> Dear Mr. Nelson: <br /> • <br /> You have asked us to comment further on the proposed city charter and our <br /> previous letter. <br /> I modified my view that each resolution might be subject to referendum. <br /> Mr. Loeding points •out that a resolution which is effective immediately <br /> is not subject to referendum. <br /> However, it is still my view (and that of the charter commission, I believe) <br /> that it will be much more difficult, time consuming and costly to undertake <br /> local improvements. What with the time required for petitions, counter <br /> petitions and counter-counter petitions plus the possibility of referenda <br /> on resolutions held in suspense during the petition times, there are apt <br /> to be huge delays, maybe even missed construction seasons. In an inflation <br /> economy, every month costs 1 to lZ% or,on a million dollars project, up <br /> to $15,000 (plus costs for added legal work) . <br /> Following discussion with the council and members of the charter commission <br /> it appears that five year capital improvement budgets must be by ordinance <br /> (subject to refereridhm) and to change it by adding a project requires another <br /> ordinance (also subject to referendum) . <br /> It appears to be a stated objective to make it more difficult to undertake <br /> and finance local improvements, particularly those which are not 100% <br /> assessed to "benefitted" property. In this the charter should prove very <br /> effective. Had it been in the being at the time of incorporation the city <br /> probably would net now have a sanitary sewer or a water system. These improve- <br /> ments, not 100% assessed, were very controversial. Only a minority have water 41 <br /> in their basements or have contaminated wells at a particular moment. Sometime, <br /> as the city develops, surface water will become a severe problem for some <br /> homeowners (probably a minority) who may be unable to get relief under the <br /> charter. <br /> Very truly yours, <br /> EHLERS AND . 8S0 IA <br /> �o.:-r hl s <br />