HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000046_pg054February 27, 1978 Page 4
Margaret Helch, 5091 Rainbow Lane asked why the residents were not
notified when the feasibility study was first authorized. Acting
Mayor Baumgartner replied that all Council meetings are open to the
public, and that the feasibility study was discussed during the
Council meetings, and that the Council authorized the study since
they felt it was very necessary. Councilmember Rowley added that
public hearings were held on the matter in January and November of
1976 and that the hearings were advertised and also published in
the New Brighton Bulletin with articles in past city newsletters.
Mr. Wills asked what the source of funds would be for the project.
Acting Mayor Baumgartner replied that an application was made for a
HUD grant but was denied, and that the front end of the project
would be bonded and the property owners would be assessed approximately
3.79 cents per square foot for the project. Administrator Achen
added that the bond would be financed at 5 to 52 percent interest,
dependent upon the market at the time, and that the residents would
be assessed at 8 percent interest, with the difference going for
administrative costs, but that the residents who pay it in full when
assessed would not pay any interest costs.
Acting Mayor Baumgartner also pointed out that the residents would
have the option of taking out a bank loan for two or three years,
at a lower interest rate, to pay off the assessment.
Acting Mayor Baumgartner stated that a request had been made at the
public hearing that the March 27 meeting also be held at Bel Rae
when the decision would be announced, and directed the City Admini-
strator to set the meeting place at Bel Rae, if it was available
or Edgewood Junior High.
Bill Werner, 2765 Sherwood asked if the Council would consider the
group at the public hearing a representative sampling of the City.
Acting Mayor Baumgartner replied that he would but that it must
also be remembered that there were at least 12,000 residents who
were not at the meeting and that the City is waiting to hear from
them before March 15.
Councilmember Ziebarth stated that he felt $6,500,000 was a great
deal of money to be spent but that he did not feel he could vote
against the project based on just a percentage of the residents.
Councilmember Rowley stated that at this point she was weighing the
pros and cons and would be taking all comments, letters and phone
calls into consideration before making a decision. She added that
she felt the system would have to be put into the City eventually.
Jules Wold, 2616 Hillview stated that the storm sewer system could
not guarantee 100 percent that there would not be water problems
and asked what guarantee the residents would have that ten years
from now the system would not be obsolete. Acting Mayor Baumgartner
replied that at some point in time, everyone was going to have to
trust someone, and that the City has a great deal of respect and
trust for Short, Elliott and Hendrickson, who is a very professional
and reputable firm, and that the City must be able to accept a