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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes L� May 28, 2003 Page 4 1 Mr. Hubmer stated that a meeting had been held on April 29, 2003, to discuss financing 2 alternatives and street lighting improvements for St. Anthony Boulevard. Four alternatives for 3 financing the improvements were discussed with the residents. The residents preferred the 4 financing plan that included 50% of the lighting costs assessed to the individual property owners 5 and the remaining 50% of the cost paid for by the City of St. Anthony Street Improvement 6 Funds. The assessment would be applied to each property on their water and sewer utility bill. 7 They would be billed four times a year for the assessment principle, plus an interest rate equal 8 the rate for the City's street assessments for a period of 10 years. 9 10 Councilmember Horst asked what the catalyst was that created the need for lighting 11 improvement. Mr. Hubmer responded that the catalyst was a meeting put together by residents 12 to discuss the lighting. 13 14 Councilmember Horst asked what the process would be if other residents wished to have this 15 done on their street. Mr. Hubmer responded that discussion had been opened up regarding the 16 type of lighting for all the residents in the City and the type of financing available. 17 Councilmember Horst asked if money was available. Mr. Hubmer responded that there probably 18 was not money available at this time. 19 20 Councilmember Horst indicated that the only issue that had been brought to him was that the 21 50% is money that all the taxpayers will be paying. Mr. Hubmer responded that the bonds would 22 be paid out of the general fund. Councilmember Horst stated that he was trying to understand 23 how this cost would benefit the other residents. 24 25 Councilmember Thuesen responded that this should not be seen as a project for the residents of 26 St. Anthony Boulevard; it should be seen as benefiting all residents. Other residents in the City 27 would benefit from the lighting as they drive or walk through the area. Councilmember Thuesen 28 felt the entire Village would benefit. 29 30 Councilmember Horst stated he did not disagree that it is important the sidewalks have good 31 lighting. He asked if a precedent was being set. Mayor Hodson responded that a special fund 32 had been discussed and was being initiated that addresses consistent lighting for the walking 33 community. 34 35 Mr. Hubmer stated that the funding mechanism for the present issue was the State Aid Fund. He 36 added that the State Aid Funds, at this time, had been encumbered or dedicated elsewhere. He 37 suggested that, when funds become available, the City begin to accrue money toward additional 38 improvements. He stated that the funds would be coming back in smaller amounts, however. 39 40 Councilmember Thuesen stated that, in the future, the City should continue to concentrate on this 41 issue and prioritize lighting for security. Mayor Hodson suggested that information and 42 suggestions could be released in upcoming newsletters. 43 44 Mr. Hubmer stated that fees would be based on the costs of maintenance. He suggested that 45 street utility funds could be used for decorative lighting and increased electrical costs. 46