HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013.04.09 CC Minutes - Assessment Policy WorkshopMINUTES
CITY OF HUGO
CITY COUNCIL ASSESSMENT POLICY WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013
7:00 PM
Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
Present: Bronk, Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt
Absent: None
Also Present: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Attorney Dave Snyder, City Engineer
Jay Kennedy, Finance Director Ron Otkin, Planner Rachel Juba, Planning Commission
Chair Rick Gwynn, EDA Commissioner Frank Puleo, Accounting Clerk Anna Wobse
City Administrator Bryan Bear stated that this workshop was a follow-up to the April 1,
2013 City Council meeting. At that meeting, Council heard a petition submitted by Len
Pratt asking the City to finance the construction of Rosemary Way between its existing
end within Victor Garden's North Village and Everton Avenue. The purpose of tonight's
workshop is to discuss the City of Hugo's Assessment Policy to see if Council would be
interested in making changes that would support petitions such as the one submitted.
City Engineer Jay Kennedy presented to the Council a PowerPoint presentation
reviewing the current Assessment Policy and shared information with the Council that
would help evaluate policy issues related to such petitions. He provided the Council with
both pros and cons of changing the current Assessment Policy to allow the City of Hugo
to finance projects within a development.
EDA Commissioner Frank Puleo stated that the EDA has discussed numerous ways to
jump-start development, but they have never discussed a policy where the City would
become a lender. As a property and business owner along Highway 61, he referenced the
study done along Highway 61 that would allow those residents to obtain utilities in that
area. If the current Assessment Policy would be changed he would expect those
businesses and residents along Highway 61 to ask for help with this project as well.
Developer, Len Pratt spoke about the benefits that would be gained from making
adjustments to the current Assessment Policy; it would not just benefit his current
development project, but all of Hugo. He stated that it would be important to establish
criteria that would make it fair for everyone. In his experience he feels that having these
transportation systems in place helps to bring development into the community.
Council discussed that current precedents call for development to pay for itself, but
questioned if it was time for an adjustment to the policy because of the changing
economy and the importance of bringing development into the City. They also discussed
if it was acceptable for them to make the decision or if it should be first brought to the
various advisory commissions and also open for public comment. Council directed Staff
to bring this issue to both the Economic Development Authority and the Planning
Commission to gain their feedback. After review by the Commissions, Council will
evaluate their input and decide if the current Assessment Policy should be changed and at
that time establish the various guidelines.
Haas made motion, Petryk seconded, to adjourn at 8:34 pm
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anna Wobse
Accounting Clerk