HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000047_pg104April 24, 1978 Page 7
implementing a system. He added that Staff will be recommending and pushing very
strongly for a system.
Mr. Beim asked if it was possible that a developer would pay an assessment and then
a system not be put in. Administrator Achen replied that a system would be put in
in the future.
Councilmember Baumgartner questioned if Mr. Beim would be required to take care of
drainage on his property, who would be responsible for that upstream. Administrator
Achen replied that by law he would be required to provide a pipe large enough to take
care of all runoff.
Mr. Thornton stated that he did not feel the City could justify assessing just
developers. Administrator Achen replied that it was the same question when putting
in any type of improvements, and that the Council has a choice of saying no more
development or else providing the required drainage facilities.
Bob Eigenheer stated that he could not see how the City could justify charging 30%
or so of the land not developed to pay for the whole City. Administrator Achen
replied that the gross amount of revenue that could be accumulated through the charges
would not come close to financing the cost of a project and that the Council would
have to make a decision on who to charge and decide who would be benefitted.
Mayor Pickar stated that he could appreciate their concern but that he felt the for-
mula was fair and equitable.
Mr. McCarty asked what the average price was of the homes Mr. Eigenheer built and
if he thought an extra $500 assessment would make them unsaleable. Mr. Eigenheer
replied that it all adds up.
Mr. Loeding pointed out that under Project 1978 -1 each home owner in Mounds View was
expected to pay up to $2,000 and that many would have received no benefit.
Keith Harstad stated that it was fundamental that water flows downhill and he felt
the people at the top of the hill should pay as much as those at the bottcni. He
added that everyone who benefits should pay for it.
Administrator Achen stated that the intent of the ordinance was to require people
who were developing from here on in to pay now, rather than later and that they would
not be able to extend the payment for twenty years, as the present residents could.
He added that this would allow the City to accumulate cash up front.
Councilmember Baumgartner stated that he did not feel it would be a good situation
to require a developer to put his money in the City fund, where he could not collect
interest on it, whereas the City could.
Bill Doty asked if the interest would be credited to the property owner. Administrator
Achen replied that the intent of the ordinance would be to allow the use of the money
for a storm sewer development in the City, and that the money would be put in an
escrow account.
David Notaro asked if developers would be allowed to come along and tie into the
system once the project is in and complete. Administrator Achen replied that
undeveloped property would be assessed at the rate of its useage, regardless if
there are structures on it or not.