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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 30, 1987OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT HEARING NOVEMBER 30, 1987 The Hearing Was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 7:30 p.m.. 1. Roll Call Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - present 2. Purpose of Hearing To establish special assessments for various public improvement projects and to consider a resolution which will officially levy special assessments for those projects. 3. Presentation by Staff a. PIR #815, Sealcoating of All Bituminous Streets in the Northwest Quadrant of the City The City Manager reviewed the history, actual assessment costs and assessment rate for this project. The property owner of 4415, 4417, 4427, 4429, 4433 and 4435 2½ Street inquired why her properties were charged in the manner they were. The Assessment Clerk explained the formula used for these specific properties. The City Manager advised that some of the parcels were charged at a street rate and some of them were charged at an avenue rate. He further explained why some parcels are charged at these two different rates. Mayor Nawrocki sta~ed he felt the administrative charges on this project as well as the others being discussed at this hearing were higher than justified. He also noted that the interest charge of 11% is not in keeping with today's interest rates. The City Manager advised that the funds borrowed for these projects had been borrowed some time ago at a higher rate of interest than it would have been presently and that state statute allowed for an additional three percent to be added to improvement project interest. b. PIR #816, Storm Drain to Remove Storm water Runoff Impounded in the Block Bounded by 39th Avenue, 40th Avenue, Hayes Street and Arthur Street The City Manager reviewed the history, actual assessment costs and assessment rate for this project. He noted that the City is paying half of the costs of this project. The Council had received a letter from the property owner at 3947 Hayes Street stating he felt his property did not contribute to the water runoff involved in this project. Staff felt this property was a contributing property. c. PIR #824, Joint and Crack Sealing in Various Concrete Alleys The City Manager reviewed the history, actual assessment'costs and assessment rate for this project. A representative of the property owner at 3970 Jackson Street advised the Council that this property is being assessed for a portion of the alley which is owned by the City. The staff and City Council reviewed this portion of the alley which runs behind the Library. It was noted that in addition to the 12 feet owned by the City there was 28 feet which was an easement not unrest- ricted use as stated by staff. Special Assessment Hearing November 3~, 1987 page 2 d. PIR #827, Miscellaneous Delinquent Bills for Shade Tree Disease Control, Weed Control and Other Miscellaneous Billings It was noted that one payment had been received after the assessment letters had been mailed to property owners. Councilmember Petkoff inquired how the 11~ rate of interest was arrived at on these projects. The City Manager advised that the City has the authority to establish the interest rate at the time the public improvement bonds Ire sold. The City is still working from the bond issued sold several years ago. The City Manager felt if the Council desires to change the rate of interest it should be done on the next public improvement projects. He noted that 11~ was the rate of interest stated to property owners at the hearing in the spring. Council- me~ber Carlson felt all of the interest rates should be lowered on projects assessed after the City "rebonded". Councilmember Paulson computed what the actual savings would be if the interest rate were lowered to 9% and felt they would not be significant. He also felt that the property at 3970 Jackson Street should not be charged for 40 alley feet in the assessment project #824. The majority of the Councll felt 9½~ interest should be charged on the projects presented at this hearing. The Council discussed the storm drain project as it involves the property at 3947 Hayes Street. Councilmember Carlson felt it should be removed from the assessment list. Councilmember Petkoff felt t~ere was no equitable way to remove it. Staff suggested that it should remain on the assessment roll as clearly not all of the water stayed on the property. Councilmember Paulson felt an adjustment could be considered but noted that there were probably other parcels which could be ccnsidered in the same manner. The majority of the Council felt the assess- ment shoulU be left the way it is. Mayor Nawrocki again addressed the administrative costs for. improvement projects. He felt that 22 to 23~ of the actual costs are hard to justify. He suggested that the administrative costs be limited to not exceed 15% of the actual construction costs. In the past this had been the case. 4. Adoption of the Resolution M~tion by Peterson, second by Petkoff to.waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public and that the 40 feet be deducted from the alley charge for the property at 3970 Jackson Street and the interest rates on these projects be decreased, to 9.5~. Roll call: All ayes RESOLUTION NO. 87-63 Adopting assessment rolls according to the City Charter for the following local improvements and determining that said improvements have been made and ratifying and confirming all other proceedings, heretofore had: Special Assessments num- bered B15, 816, 824, and B27. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia ~eights, Minnesota, met at ?:30 p.m. on the 30th day of NoVember, 1987, in the City Council Chambers, S90 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota, being the time and place set when and where all persons interested could appear and be heard by the Council with respect to benefits, and to the proportion of the cost of making the local improvements above described, a notice of such hearing having been heretofore duly published as required by law, and a notice mailed to each property owner or record, stating the proposed amount of the assessment; and, Special Assessment Hearing November 30, 1987 page 3 WHEREAS, this Council has heretofore estimated and fixed the cost of such local improvements and has prepared an assessment roll therefore, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HEREBY RESOLVED: Section 1: That this Council does hereby adopt the aforesaid assessment rolls know and described as "Assessment Roll for Local Improve- ments'' numbered 815. 816, 824, and 827. Section 2: That this Council hereby finds and determines that each of the lots and parcels of land enumerated in said assessment rolls was and is especially benefitted by such improvement in an amount not less than the amount set opposite in the column headed "Total Assessment." This Council further finds and determines that the proper proportion of the cost of such improvements to be especially assessed against such lot or parcel of land is the amount set opposite the description of each such lot or parcel of land respectively in said assess- ment rolls. Section 3: That said assessment may be paid in part or in full without interest on or before December 30, 1987, or in annual instal- lments for a period of from one to fifteen years as designated on each assessment roll, payable on or before the 15th day of September, annually, with 9.5~ interest thereon. Failure to pay the annual installment renders the same delinquent and there- after a 10~ penalty is added and the said delinquent special assessment is certified to the County for collection with the real estate tax. Section 4: That this Council did hereby determine and redetermine to pro- ceed with said improvements, does ratify and confirm all other proceedings heretofore had in regard to these improvements, and said improvements shall hereafter be known and numbered as Local Improvements numbered 815-Project #8703, 816-Project #8604, 824- Project #8708, and 827. Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. Passed this 30th day of November, 1987. Offered by: Peterson Seconded by: Petkoff Roll call: All ayes Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 5. Adjournment Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson call: All ayes Uo-Anne Student; Co6nc Secretary Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki to adjourn t~l Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki