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CHAPTER 26 <br /> 1. Initiation of proceedings <br /> Minn.Stat.§429.031. Either the council or a petition from affected property owners may initiate <br /> proceedings. If a petition, it must have the signatures of the owners of at <br /> least 35 percent in frontage of the property bordering the proposed <br /> improvements. If the council acts on its own initiative, an extraordinary <br /> majority is not necessary to initiate the proceedings. (A four-fifths vote will <br /> be required to pas the subsequent resolution ordering the improvement). <br /> 2. Preparation of a report <br /> Minn.Stat.§429.031,subd. 1(b). The law requires the city engineer or another competent person to prepare a <br /> feasibility report on the proposal. The report must cover such factors as <br /> whether the project is necessary,the availability of necessary money in the <br /> general fund to pay the city's share of the cost, an estimate of that cost, <br /> whether the improvement is cost effective, and any other information <br /> necessary for council consideration. <br /> The report must also include the estimated cost of the improvement as <br /> recommended. A reasonable estimate of the total amount to be assessed, and <br /> a description of the methodology used to calculate individual assessments <br /> • for affected parcels, must be available at the hearing. <br /> 3. Public hearing <br /> Minn.Stat.§429.031,subd 3. The council may omit this step if 100 percent of the affected land owners <br /> sign the petition requesting the improvement. <br /> Minn.Stat.§429.031,subd. 1(a). The city must publish notice of a hearing on the proposed improvement <br /> twice in the official newspaper,with the notices appearing at least one week <br /> apart. At least three days must elapse between the last publication date and <br /> the date of the hearing. <br /> Minn.Stat.§429.031,subd. 1(a). The city must mail a notice to each property owner in the proposed <br /> assessment area, at least 10 days prior to the hearing,that states the time and <br /> place of the hearing, the general nature of the improvement, and the <br /> estimated cost. Failure to give notice of this improvement hearing will <br /> invalidate subsequent assessment proceedings. <br /> Minn.Stat.§429.031,subd. 1(b). The notice must contain a statement that a reasonable estimate of the impact <br /> of the assessment will be available at the hearing. A reasonable estimate of <br /> the total amount to be assessed, and a description of the methodology used <br /> to calculate individual assessments for affected parcels, must be available at <br /> the hearing as well. <br /> • 26-16 HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES <br /> This chapter last revised 12/15/2004 <br />