Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.27.97 Special Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING MAY 27, 1997 1. The meeting was held at the Farmington County Library Conference Room. Mayor Ristow called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.. Members Present: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch, Gamer. Members Absent: Strachan. Also Present: Administrator Erar, Attorney Grannis. 2. The purpose of the special meeting was to 1) hold a public hearing on the proposed Main Street improvement project and, 2) to consider an emergency vehicle pre-emption signal and cooperative installation agreement with the State of Minnesota. 3. MOTION by Cordes, second by Gamer to approve the agenda as presented. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Mayor Ristow opened the Main Street improvement public hearing. Engineer Mann introduced the project noting that it included streets, storm sewer, water main, sanitary sewer, water main trunk and the removal of the railroad tracks on 5th Street. In addition to improvements on Main Street, the collapsed storm sewer outfall on 4th Street would also be repaired, however, this portion of the project was not assessable. After explaining the scope of the project, Engineer Mann stated the City had the properties involved appraised with the result that the proposed assessments were higher than the estimated increase to property values. For this reason, City staff was not recommending to proceed with the project. Mayor Ristow opened the discussion to the audience for questions and comments. He reiterated that staff could not recommend going forward with the project because the benefit does not equal the assessments. Councilmember Fitch - Could not support the project because of the assessments and suggested Council and staff needed to discuss other methods of paying for improvement projects in older developed areas. Mayor Ristow - Concerned with I/I in the area which costs everyone in the City money because it increases sewer rates. Ed Nelson - The street needed to be redone (no concrete shoulder, no curbing) . Questioned whether the Eagles Club new project benefited from the project. (No) Asked about cost of lighting - how many poles were proposed, what type, cost. (12 to 13 poles, like those used on Oak Street, more expensive.) Asked about handicapped crossing (State requirement) Asked what the storm sewer fund was used for. (Used to fund City'S share of various storm water projects) Ed Mahowald - Will old driveways/curb cuts be remeasured and placed in correct locations? (Case by case basis, will correct as needed.) Tim Saari - Infrastructure will continue to decay, costs will continue to go up. City will need to come up with a method for helping paying for improvements. Administrator Erar - The City will need to re-evaluate its assessment policy to determine how these improvements will be paid for. Neither City or taxpayers can afford to pay for entire project. Storm sewer fund not intended to pay entire cost of improvement projects. Ed Nelson - Will property taxes go up because of improvements? (Not on a dollar for dollar basis. Home sales used to help determine valuation of surrounding homes.) Cliff Roberts - His block of Main Street does not need to be repaired; designed as 9 ton road. No storm sewer was placed. John Graf - Are assessments assessment paid? driveway work, 10 to 15 year prepay without interest.) based on lot size? Are driveways included? How is (Per buildable lot, special agreements for extra assessment period at set interest rate, 30 days to Bill Stiles - Neither City nor homeowners can afford to pay for project. No problem with street at this time. Eileen Sauber - Lives on 8th Street, why was her property included in project? (Not for street improvements, but in storm water drainage area and has private sewer. Only pay for portions of project which benefit property.) John Simon - Lives on 300 block. All in good shape. Project not needed. Kathy Harris - Council is not in favor of project. (Staff recommended against.) Elizabeth Fjetland - Owns two lots, house in middle, two assessments? practice to assess for both lots.) (Past MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council agreed to look into other methods of helping fund the improvements. MOTION by Cordes, second by Fitch to not move forward with the Main Street improvement project at this time. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. 4th Street Storm Sewer Outfall Engineer Mann explained the current status of the outfall, which had collapsed. Finance Director Roland stated funding was available for the project from the storm water utility fund. The project will require purchasing approximately 1/2 acre of land across from the creamery for a storm water ponding site. Discussion continued regarding how the City'S assessment policy was designed, the cost of assessments versus the need for the projects, and the likelihood of appeals. MOTION by Fitch, second by Gamer to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R65-97 ordering the preparation of plans and specifications and the advertisement for bids for the 4th Street Storm Sewer Outfall Project. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption Device Installation City Engineer Mann presented the cooperative agreement with MnDOT for the installation of the emergency vehicle traffic pre-emption device proposed to be installed at the intersection of TH 3 and TH 50/CSAH 74. Mr. Mann noted the total project cost of $20,600 of which MnDOT would pay $12,150 and the City would pay $8,450. The City's share will be funded through a combination of the Road and Bridge Fund and MSA funds. MOTION by Gamer, second by Cordes to adopt RESOLUTION i -i 1 NO. R66-97 approving the cooperative agreement with MnDOt for the installation of the EVP signal at the TH 3 and TH 50/CSAH 74 intersection. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 7. MOTION by Gamer, second by Fitch to adjourn at 8:22 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~~2r Mary Hanson Clerk/Typist