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• <br /> EHLERS AND ASSOCIATES, INC. <br /> FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS <br /> :RST NATIONAL-SOO LINE CONCOURSE 507 MARQUETTE AVE. MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA 55402 339-8291 (AREA CODE 6123 <br /> November 28, 1979 I". ' <br /> co <br /> Irl , r~ <br /> . Mr. Jeff Nelson <br /> City Administrator <br /> 2401 Highway 10 �= <br /> St.. Paul, Minnesota 55112 <br /> Dear Mr. Nelson: <br /> You have asked us to comment further on the proposed city charter and our <br /> • <br /> previous letter. <br /> I modified my view that each resolution might be subject to referendum. <br /> • <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 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 referenda0and 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 nct now have a sanitary sewer or a water system. These improve- <br /> ments, not 100% assessed, were very controversial. Only a minority have water <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' •S• IA • <br /> v• r . hl s <br />