HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978.03.13 CC Minutes MARCH 13,1978 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HUGO 071)
COUNCIL
The public hearing to consider the proposed ordinance to abolish the rural
tax district was called to order by acting Mayor, Dan Spitzer, at 7:05 PM.
PRESENT: Spitzer, Schletty, Irsfeld, Vail, and City Attorney Charles
Johnson.
ABSENT: LaValle
Mr. Spitzer read the notice of the public hearing as published in the Forest
Lake Times. There were numerous charts on display, and each was illustrated
to the citizenship. Thesecharts are on file at Hugo City Hall.
Mr. Spitzer then opened the meeting for questions by the public.
Mr. Larry Ehret
14564 Keystone Avenue - Ehret felt that the figures presented for money spent
on streets and roads i'tas not totally accurate. Over
a period of years, the roads had gone into a state of
general disrepair. The money spent were just for years
1977-1978. He also stated that there was little chance
of saving a home from fire in the rural area. Mr. Ehre
stated that most rural roads were gravel, and impass-
able in the spring.
Spitzer - the figures given do not indicate what went on before 1977. He also
stated that property owners were responsible for paying for their blacktopped
streets.
Mary Lysne
15063 Greene Avenue - The rural is much bigger, and would naturally take
more money to take care of. She also felt the tax
increase would hurt the farmer.
Spitzer - the urban portion of tax - 15.73 mills
rural - 12.82 mills
If there was a uniform taxing rate, the mill rate would be 13.84
for everyone (a net increase of 1 .02 per $1 ,000 of assessed value) .
According to state statutes, the city has to certify and review on
an annual basis to see if rural receives lesser services.
Darrell Jacobson
6364 165th Street North - The rural would be paying more money and not re-
ceiving any more services then before.
Tom Pogreba
9441 180th Street North - wanted to know what advantage the rural would have
that they don't have now.
Spitzer - the emergency departments respond to all calls on .an equal basis.
Jim Phillips
6319 175th Street North - what percentage are living in town as opposed to
rural?
Spitzer - did not have an exact number to answer with, but estimated that the
old township had more people by 2 to 1 .
MARCH 13, 1978 ` f
Mrs. Waller
14310 Homestead Avenue North - felt you could get a much better picture of the
averages of cost if the Council had taken a fiv
year figure rather than one year.
Jim Smith
13550 Homestead Ave. No. - did not remember the city spending 90% of the road
budget in the rural area. Also stated that the
city mortgaged the rural area to float bonds for
improvements in the urban area.
Dennis Strandberg
16831 Elmcrest Ave. No. - did not feel the tax increase was justified because
of the 10 acre minimum in the rural area.
Jeff Hughes
Wild Wings - felt that the services have not been up to par. The rural is much
larger, and $ for $, is not getting as much service for area
serviced.
Larry Ehret
14564 Keystone- The Comprehensive Plan states that the city is to maintain a
rural atomosphere. The land owners are being required to keep
large acreage. If they are forced into a higher taxing situa-
tion, it will be difficult to keep rural.
Greg Cardinal
5756 165th St. No. - felt that the township operated on a less costly level.
He said he personally has never had to make phone call
for assistance.
Roland Stricklin
8980 170th St. NO. - asked if street lights cost is an amount of money that
would be paid by the people that want them or is paid by
the city.
Spitzer - street lights are paid for out of the road budget.
JoAnn Jensen
530 11th Ave. SE - how much is the city paying Washington County to take care
of County Road 4?
Spitzer - you pay whether you live on a county road or not.
Arnold Gruett
12433 Ingersoll Ave. No. - how many new homes are going in this area a year?
Spitzer - could not give a number. We are only talking about reapportionment
of taxes. The city will not get more money, and would not have to
review every year.
Pam Bjorum
12633 Keller Ave. No. - the fact that you. .spend more money does not reflect
higher level of service. No matter how much money,
we do not get the same level of service.
Joe Gregoire
16520 Henna Ave. No. - voiced his complaint about the road conditions of
Henna Avenue.
MARCH 13, 1978
Theodora Peltier
13094 Goodview Avenue No.. - What was the reason for the two taxing district-3
Spitzer - at the time of incorporation, the city was not sure what was going
to happen later on. We now have the experience.
Jim Smith
13560 Homestead Ave. No. •- is there a procedure to revert to previous status?
Attorney Johnson - yes - would have to go to the minicipal commission. You
would have to extablish a hew township or annex to an
existing township. He advised that careful consideration
should be given before making any decision to secede.
They would have to maintain the same debt level even
though they are not a part of the City of Hugo.
Jim Phillips
6319 175th St. No. - will the rural area be able to vote on this?
Spitzer - the City Council will make the decision. There are 3 members living
in the urban area, and 2 members living in the rural area. It takes
3 out of 5 to pass the ordinance.
Gordon Moosbrugger, attorney for 133 land owners in rural taxing district,
stated that there was a petition on file at City Hall, for opposition to
abolishing the rural taxing district. He stated that the Metro Council's
System Statement required that Hugo remain a rural service area. It would
be contrary to the state statute to encourage development.
Jim Leroux
4360 165th St. No. - there certain benefits that the urban gets rather than
the rural. On a base of cost per capita, the rural area
is already paying more than their fair share. He felt
that Oneka Township did a better job maintaining roads,
and that the city was getting"jipped" by contracting
with Washington County. Mr. Leroux also felt that the
Police Department spent a greater amount of time in the
urban area.
Theodora Peltier
13094 Goodview Ave. No. - when would this ordinance take effect?
Spitzer - not before 1979.
The public hearing was adjourned at 8:27 PM. Let the record show that the
public hearing will be continued to March 20, 1978, at 7:30 PM, the next
regular meeting of the Hugo City Council.
Carol A. Williams, Clerk
City of Hugo