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City Council Truth in Taxation Hearing Meeting Minutes December 6, 1995 ` • Page 5 1 Mornson noted the Arbors project will contribute $45,000 in real estate taxes when fully 2 developed. 3 Mr. Stephen Rekuski, 3215 Silver Lake Road, stated he was a painting contractor. He asked if 4 apartment taxation was down so much, why didn't the City better balance the amount of 5 commercial and apartment properties. He noted other communities eliminate old residential 6 areas and replace them with strip malls. 7 Councilmember Enrooth noted the City has tried to do this but the residents react 8 overwhelmingly that they do not want this. 9 Mayor Ranallo stated the City has tried desperately to get CUB Foods into Apache Mall. At first 10 residents wanted Apache torn down and houses located on that property. It has been a battle to 11 keep that property commercial. Ranallo reported he and City Manager had met with Opus 12 Company last week and they continue to work with CUB Foods. They are having difficulty 13 attracting other retailers to Apache Mall because of the close proximity to Rosedale Mall. 14 Mr. Rekuski stated his taxes have doubled in the last five years and the City has nothing to 15 provide except school, fire and police. In-this same period his valuation had increased from $119,200 to $154,000. He felt this put too much stress on a person trying to raise a family of five. Mr. Rekuski stated he tries to help the community by coaching football, baseball, and 18 soccer. He feels he is doing everything he can but the City is not pushing hard enough to help 19 the residents in return. 20 Mayor Ranallo asked Mr. Rekuski what he suggested the City do. Mr. Rekuski suggested the 21 City do some housekeeping. He asked why the City searches outside help. 22 Finance Director Larson stated the City doesn't have the staff qualified to provide some services 23 that they are required to provide and they are forced to seek outside contractors. 24 Mayor Ranallo noted the City Council had looked at each line item in the budget and tried to 25 identify ways to reduce costs. He noted the City is trying to do things to increase the tax base, 26 such as the project on Fordham. At completion of that project, the taxes will increase from 27 $4,000 to $35,000. 28 Morrison noted the State Legislature has reduced state aide every year since 1988. In 1990 29 Apache Plaza's valuation was $14 million. It is now down to $4 million. He noted the Council 30 has delayed the street project one year in an effort to reduce costs. 31 Mr. Rekuski asked when the City intends to improve the park systems. He noted Central Park improvements have been planned as long as he can remember. He felt the City needs to give something back to the residents.