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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.29.93 Special Council Minutes L85 MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING SPECIAL NOVEMBER 29, 1993 1. Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.. Members Present: Kuchera, Ristow, Orr, Rotty, Galler. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Administrator Thompson, Engineer Kaldunski. 2. Mayor Kuchera opened a public hearing at 7:00 P.M.. Administrator Thompson gave an introduction to the pine Knoll Sanitary Sewer Project. Engineer Kaldunski presented an overview of the project, noting: a. sewer design, b. lift stations, c. street designs - 203rd Street - 38', remainder - 34', d. sidewalks, e. no boulevard trees. Mike Rutten from the Dakota County Department of Health presented an overview of the proposed Dakota County Ordinance #113 (Individual Septic Treatment System Regulations) . Lee Smith from the Dakota County HRA presented an overview of the assessment abatement program for low income property owners, noting that guidelines do vary and income guidelines do change. Administrator Thompson presented an overview of the estimated assessments, noting: a. assessments must be fair, equitable and cannot exceed the increase in market value; b. Council may consider equalizing sewer assessments throughout the project. Questions: Todd Stark: Is household income adjusted for child support paYments? Lee Smith: That is up to the Council, but generally no. Dave Pritzlaff: Why should we be assessed and pay a fee and the unbuilt lots only have to pay a fee without assessment. Adm. Thompson: The hook up fee would be approximate to the amount of the assessments. 186 Council Minutes - 11/29/93 - Page 2, (Special) Marion Swanson: Where are you going to put the line with all the water, CATV, and so on? Why install it on the west side? Eng. Kaldunski: It will fit on the west side. Marion Swanson: You are going to tear up County Road 31 anyway. Why not wait until then? Why not the east side? Eng. Kaldunski: There are no plans to tear up County 31. Also, the FAA cable runs on the east side and most of the houses are on the west. Dave Pritzlaff: How do you service the east? Eng. Kaldunski: Jack under County 31 and run laterals. Robin Link: $8,500. Reduce it to $3,000. I question the estimated increased market value. Mine will never go up Adm. Thompson: The $5,500 reduction would have to be picked up by the general taxpayers and the City must assess at least 20%. Kevin Keane: will the PCA programs reduce the cost? Eng. Kaldunski: There ,are no grants, only loans. It appears that we may get a loan at 3.5% to 3.7%. Adm. Thompson: Actual assessed rate would be approximately 5.0%. Todd Stark: Why are you doing it? Why is it needed? Joan Shea: Can the sewer be extended just up County 31? Eng. Kaldunski: It can be done, but the cost may be higher. Bob Shea: (Gave a history of the last petition approximately 10 years ago.) People along County 31 have always been in ,favor. Cm. Galler: (Why is it proposed?) The road is in poor shape, County Ordinance #113 regulations, interest rates are low, and septic tanks are failing. Council Minutes - 11/29/93 - Page 3 (Special) 187 Ed Ulvi: I got a notice that says I have to put in a new system. How long will it be before sewer is extended to my property? Cm. Galler: We have no plans to extend sewer into your area. Cm. Orr: Would your neighbors want sewer? Ed Ulvi: I suspect they will need sewer. installs the project. We are costs and assessments for the The cycle of good/failing systems will never stop until the City trying to propose the best possible project. Cm. Orr: Arlo Wiggert: Why are the east side shown as one lot and the interior lots as 2 lots? Can my lot be assessed as one if I agree not to split it? Adm. Thompson: The Council has the authority to defer assessments. The problem is if your property is assessed for one and you split it. Also there is the concern by the Metropolitan Council allowing hookups to vacant lots. Jay Johnson: My lot can't be divided into 2 lots. A swimming pool is on the second lot. Cm. Galler: We are just making estimates at this time. We don't have to do the project. No one is forcing it on you at this time. Mitchell Lemke: (Market Value) Why are you stuck on tpe set amount of $8,500.00. Cm. Galler: We don't know what the actual indivldual lot will be assessed at this time. Jim Reisinger: Am I in or out of the project? Eng. Kaldunski: In every study you have been out. Jim Reisinger: Most of your systems don't meet code. It is going to cost you between $5000 and $7,000 to install a new system. Bill Terpening: You have to look at individuals and ask if the property values are going You should do a study and find out what the actual The people would be happy if the assessments were in up $8,500. benefit is. line. 188 Council Minutes - 11/29/93 - Page 4 (Special) Richard McDonald: There are a lot of questions and very few answers. Why are taxes higher in Pine Knoll than in Dakota County Estates? (Read a letter in opposition to the project; it is unwarranted and unwanted. The quality of the road is okay with him and his septic system works fine. He presented the letter.) Marion Swanson: I have a 3 1/2 acre lot, but it can't be divided. My major objection is the amount of the assessment. Henry Iwerks: Both sides have to work together. I felt the citizens were hassled at the last meeting. You cannot assess anymore than the value of the property increases. Rumors are going around that the people in Pine Knoll want the other people in town to pay for the project. I'm happy with the information presented tonight. Cm. Orr: The tone of this hearing has been related to assessments, but the to determine the merits of the project. While actual assessments will be faced at a later actual purpose is they are related, hearing. Chris Berner: We are paying 100% of the sewer with a 65%/35% split on the street. It is my understanding it used to be 80%/20%. Does the Council feel that these are fair and equitable assessments? Todd Stark: Why do you have to hook up within one year? Cm. Orr: We are thinking of changing that. Cm. Galler: We though about deferring the hook up fee with interest, issuing credits just allowing people to pay interest on the assessment until owner hooks up. and the Todd Stark: How can you order a project and not know what the assessment will be? Cm. Galler: We wo~'t know what the assessments will be until we get bids. Adm. Thompson: We don't do a detailed study until the actual assessment hearing. Richard McDonald: Are you holding the property hostage if you place "pending assessments" against the property? Council Minutes - 11/29/93 - Page 5 (Special) , "9 ~ ,~...~ __ '.......-1 Carol Pilcher: What do you need to get the project started? Cm. Orr: We probably will order the project tonight or in the future, but right now the purpose of the hearing is fact finding. Bill Terpening: Is there any way to get the costs in line that would more accurately reflect market value increase? Joan Shea: I believe most want the sewer, but are mainly concerned about the assessment. Lee Wiggert: (Double lot) the project. I am very opposed to How will you determine credits? Cm. Galler: If they conform to standards, they would get a credit after having an inspection (cost shared between the City and homeowner) . Lee Wiggert: How do you determine buildable lots? Adm. Thompson: 10,000 square feet, 75' at the building line and readily subdividable. Lee Wiggert: I would like to have an assessor take a before and after value. Don't use a square curb, use surmountable. Eugene Clay: When are you going to start inspections? Michael Rutten: It could change, but pre 1940 construction would be inspected first, then 1940's, 1950's and soon. Your homes would be inspected in 1996 thru 1998. Cm. Orr: How long would assessments be pending? If we order the project, it would probably be pending until April. Lucille Hennessey: Kevin Keane: I'm in favor of the project. Why is there no cost sharing on the sewer? Cm. Galler: We share on reconstruction; new facilities are assessed 100%. 190 Council Minutes - 11/29/93 - Page 6 (Special) Kevin Keane: Can streets be put in without sewer? Cm. Orr: I don't think we could get a consensus. If we would, 10 years from now we would be criticized just as past Councils are being criticized tonight. Kevin Keane: So you think you can justify the assessments? Cm. Orr: That will come out at the assessment hearing. Marion Swanson: I never got the notice of the hearing. Are people on Akin Road being assessed for streets? Cm. Orr: No. Bob Pilcher: What !'m hearing is that more facts will come out at the assessment hearing. Most people are in favor, but are concerned about the assessments. Sharon McCarthy: I live next to the park, am I in or out? Eng. Kaldunski: Out. Robin Link: to put in a mound system. realtor, do you think the Maybe septic systems that work today will not work tomorrow. We may have (To Councilmember Galler) You're a assessed value will increase? Mark Hoese: How many lots are owned by political subdivisions? Cm. Orr: The City owns 8, the State has 1. Mark Hoese: Is there any difference in assessments? Adm. Thompson: There are some procedural differences, but not in amounts. Frank Lamberty: If you have to upgrade and you don't have room, a mound system is going to be needed, which is costly. Michael Rutten: (Described a typical septic system layout. ) Allen Wokson: I need to know what assessments are before I say if I'm for or against. Council Minutes - 11/29/93 - Page 7 (Special) 191 Bob Pilcher: What are the next steps? Dirk Rotty: Order the project and prepare plans and specifications. Robin Link: Could,you do random tests to see how many systems are failing and if they have enough land? Cm. Galler: I don't think many people would want us to test because if we find the system is failing, it will have to be replaced. Todd Stark: The assessments don't include connection costs or septic tank abandonment. Craig Stibbe: I don't want it. I'm at the end of the run. Pat Devney: Is the line going to be sized to go beyond the project boundaries? Eng. Kaldunski: No. Pat Devney: Trucks hauling fill caused damage. Eng. Kaldunski: The street was repaired under the contract. Bill Peterson: Regarding credits, will you have exact ,figures at the assessment hearing? Cm. Galler: Yes. David Pritzlaff: I checked with Genz/Ryan and the costs for abandonment are $300 to $400, and $3000 for the hookup. Bob Shea: I got an estimate of $2400 to do everything. Mrs. Jay Johnson: Who makes the decision? (Council) Think long and hard because I will have to move. Henry Iwerks: What is the City's assessment policy going to be? Are you going to assess only the increase in value? 192 Council Minutes - 11/29/93 - Page 8 (Special) Council: State Law mandates it, not City policy. Bill Terpening: The County is talking inspecting in 8 to 9 years. The County doesn't have ordinances yet? Mike Rutten: Inspections will be made in 1996 to 1998. Bill Terpening: You're sticking a gun to our head with the "proposed" ordinance. Mike Rutten: What if 75% to 80% of the lots wouldn't meet code. The systems will eventually need to be replaced. Bob Doll: When we do apply (for the credit), the City will say your system is bad just to get the entire $8,500. MOTION by Orr, second by Kuchera to 'close the hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. Councilmember Orr asked if the City Council would consider expanding the project area to include Mr. Ulvi? Councilmember Orr stated he would like to proceed with the project. Councilmember Galler stated he wished to delay the project for 30 days so people could get property sales in order and not have to escrow for pending assessments. MOTION by Orr; second by Kuchera to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R137-93 ordering Project No. 88-4 - Pine Knoll Sanitary Sewer and to order the preparation of plans and specifications. VOTING FOR: Orr, Kuchera, Ristow, Galler. ABSTAIN: Rotty. MOTION CARRIED. 4. MOTION by Galler, second by Orr to adjourn at 10:15 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. ~pec~ submitted, 17 Larry Thompson City Administrator Approved /~/93