Minutes - 2009/02/23 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 7 '• Establishing the Components of the Private Improvement Program in Conjunction with the Street and Utility Improvement Program. Council Member Mueller put residents on notice that this project will start in the spring so they have time now to call contractors and get information. She asked whether the agreement would have a "safety net" and implied consent if a signature were not submitted to the City by a certain date. Mr. Rhein explained that the agreements will be handled administratively and needs to be signed and in place 24 hours prior to the start of construction. If a signed agreement is not in place, the work on private property would not occur. He explained that Staff would like to solicit interested residents to use this process to assure the new street and curb project do not need to be disturbed to complete improvements on private property. The Council discussed the option of requiring a $500 deposit if the improvement cost is assessed for 5 or 10 years. Finance Director Beer noted the City did not want to discourage anyone from using this option. Mr. Rhein stated the most common improvement is to widen the access and he does not think there will be so many sanitary sewer improvements that it affects the cash flow of this project. In response to Council Member Stigney's questions, Mr. Rhein stated there would be no cost to residents to match the existing driveway width and transition the driveway to the property line. If the property owner wants the new bituminous driveway all the way to the garage, they would have to enter into a private agreement with a contractor. Council Member Stigney suggested the process be looked at after the first part of the project is completed. Finance Director Beer stated the Council could modify the program at any time during the project. Mayor Flaherty suggested a threshold be established that if a certain percentage of properties take advantage of this option, raising a concern with cash flow, it would be cut off. Mr. Rhein suggested the threshold be established using a dollar amount rather than a percentage. Finance Director Beer recommended the maximum of $100,000. Council Member Stigney noted that private property improvements outside the project area are not addressed in the resolution. Mr. Rhein stated if an improvement comes up during the project, they would return with a revised resolution. He explained that anyone can talk with the City's contractor and pay them privately to do their driveway but that would be outside of the City's contract. The City can provide interested residents with the rate being paid for this project. Council Member Mueller asked if residents would need to obtain a City permit for driveway improvements on private property. Mr. Rhein stated they would if the improvement is outside this contract. • Finance Director Beer clarified that private improvements from the right-of--way to the garage will not be assessed and have to be paid by the property owner.