HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 2, 2006 street rehab
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT LEVY HEARING
ZONE 7B AND lA STREET REHABILITATION
OCTOBER 2, 2006
Roll Call/Pledge of Allegiance
Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Nawrocki,
Councilmember Diehm, Councilmember Kelzenberg
Resolution No. 2006-169, being a Resolution Adopting the Assessment Rolls for the Zone 7B and lA
Street Rehabilitation Improvements
Presentation by City Staff providing background information on the above mentioned improvement
projects.
Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director, stated this is the assessment for Zone 7B and lA Street
Rehabilitation program. He listed items included in the council packets. Streets are complete
except for the wear course, which follows the laying of sod. He stated there are no increases to
the amount indicated at the improvement hearing. The costs by unit rate are $3,285 and mill
and over lay area of$1,098 and partial reconstruction is $2,197. Hansen explained how the
costs are arrived at. He indicated the city portion or cost share that the City had done for the
last nine years of the program. The water services were lower than anticipated at $1,175 or 20
percent lower. The terms are mill and overlay - 10 year, full reconstruction - 15 years.
Property owners have until November 1 to pay without interest. Amounts not paid would go on
the county tax bill.
Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer, explained the difference in street and avenue charges.
Hansen stated that staff recommends to establish the interest rate and to adopt the resolution
that certifies the project.
Nawrocki stated that the side street is called the avenue and is one-third ofthe street
assessment. He stated that the original hearing was in March with bids that were too high. It
was re-bid and a hearing was held in June.
Diehm asked that the different treatments for the streets be described. Hansen described the
street ratings completed to determine what work would be done on each street.
Questions/Comments from City Council and the Public.
Lawrence Wodziak, 3934 3rd Street NE, stated that his amount went up from the estimated tax.
Hansen stated the difference was the two different improvement hearings. W odziak stated that
the contractor did a very good job.
Mark Emme, 4130 3rd Street, stated he is a member of the University Heights Association. He
stated that their group was assessed as an entity at the $1,098 rate for two units, but by the way
the bill was figured with rounding errors the association would be charged enough for another
whole parcel. Emme stated the amount assessed divided by the number of units should be .013
and was told that the computer software rounded it to .02. Peterson asked if that could be
adjusted. Hansen stated it could be done, and prepays would have to be refunded. Fehst stated
this is a legitimate point.
Nawrocki asked if this also affected the LaBelle condos. Young stated that University Heights
is a small section and the program does not calculate it as accurately. 2nd Street would also have
the same situation.
Hansen stated that the motion should note a change to the resolution for University Heights
amount. Nawrocki asked the number of units. Diehm stated 150 units.
Glen Stauffacher, 3825 California Street, stated he paid to have a cul-de-sac put in for $25,000
and still got an assessment of over $4,000. None ofthe streets touch his property. He asked if
the houses from 38th to 40th pay for California or 39th roadwork. Hansen stated that Main Street
does. Diehm re-explained the avenue and street charges. He asked that his amount be
reconsidered. Hansen indicated that his assessment for California was already reduced by 50
percent. Staff recommendation is the 50 percent reduction, which is on the assessment list, in
recognition of his work done. The original assessment was $10,000. Hansen stated that the
adjacent property, Burlington Northern, is paying $33,000.
Steve LaMont, 3905 California Street, stated that the construction crew and city staff was great
to work with. He stated his assessment is a significant amount for a single building. He does
not feel he has $21,000 of benefit from the road. He stated he has about six lots, but this is a
hardship to him. Hansen stated the amount is for 39th and California. This is the same amount
that was proposed at the improvement hearing. Hansen stated that the park property is assessed
at the same rate.
Nimo Adan, 1129 4412 Avenue, stated that she received two notices and asked which one has
to be paid. Young spoke to her in private, giving her information to answer her question.
Ray Kolosky, 3812 Avenue, stated that the project work was good, but every weekend the out
door toilets were knocked over and the smell was terrible. Hansen stated that he was unaware
of this. Kolosky stated that his stop box was replaced, but indicated that he would like to have
seen the condition of it before it was replaced. There is pipe sticking up now. Hansen stated
there is grading still needed. Hansen stated that staff checked the curb stops. Kolosky indicated
that it could not be found and was only found when they hit it. He questioned if the contractor
caused the need for replacement. Staffwill review this with the inspector.
Lorraine Dargay, 3926 2nd Street, stated her pleasure with the roadwork done. The repair was
very necessary. She requested to go through the appeal process for financial aid to pay her
assessment. Dargay stated that this is a hardship to pay and ask how to find help to pay the
assessment.
Nawrocki stated that he visited the property, of which they take excellent care, and found they
did not have to repair the water line. He spoke to the Bob Streetar, Community Development
Director about assistance from the Greater Metropolitan Housing Commission (GMHC), and
was told there could be help available. He has now found the situation was turned over to the
city manager and public works director, and indicated his disappointment that it was passed on
and he was not told. Dargay indicated that Streetar said would bring something to council on
this type of situation. Fehst stated that GMHC funds are for housing and not infrastructure
work. He stated that Council could consider the topic.
Diehm stated this should be considered now, at budget time, to find a way to implement a
hardship fund that we would control internally. Nawrocki stated that GMHC has the people to
ask the correct questions and to give technical help. Diehm stated that they might be able to
help us set up a program and help implement it. Hansen stated that such a program would
reduce an assessment about 15 percent, for those who fit the guidelines. Diehm reminded
everyone that the assessment would be spread out over 15 years.
Stanley Symanski, 3806 212 Street, asked why the street was narrowed by almost one foot.
Hansen stated that streets are made to a standard size. Symanski asked what the County and
State pay toward this work. Hansen stated the county does not pay, and the city pays 50
percent. Symanski asked what the guarantee on the work is. Hansen stated that with
maintenance, the roads should last 50 to 60 years.
Ray Kolosky stated that he paid money for curb that he now can not park next to because it is
painted yellow.
Dapendra Thalgeo, 4341 Tyler Place, he stated it is not fair if you just bought the property and
are now charged a large amount for repairs. Peterson stated that any pending assessments must
be paid prior to purchase. Diehm stated that the payments are over 10-15 years and must be
paid off if the property is sold. He asked if the hole in the alley by the post office could be
fixed. Hansen stated that is a private street.
Namgyald, 3728 2 Y2 Street, indicated they did not replace the box at his house, as he already
has a new one. He home was built in 1999. Hansen stated that in this case, the riser box and the
valve were separated and needed to be excavated and placed back together. The resident stated
that they did not excavate there at all. Hansen stated that our records show it was excavated, so
we will check with the inspector and meet with the resident at the site. If the work was not
done the $750 assessment would be removed.
Diehm stated that we need to set the interest rate. At the last hearing we reduced it to 6 percent.
Kalsang Uuzdup, 965 44 Y2, stated he does not work and is considered low income. He asked if
the city could assist him. Diehm stated that the interest rate was lowered so the amount is less
each year. Hansen stated this is for a mill and overlay, so the first year amount would be about
$225 and decline after that. Peterson suggested that he contact the county for assistance.
Joe Ngyen, 122744 Y2 stated he bought his house two months ago and asked ifhe has to pay it.
Hansen stated the amount should have been in the title search as a pending assessment as our
hearing was June 5th. Diehm suggested that he contact his realtor.
Nawrocki stated his disappointment in not receiving a total cost breakdown. When he asked
about engineering costs at the first meeting, thought they would not be included in this. Hansen
stated the treatment types described are what is included and overhead is not added. Nawrocki
indicated that when staff says taxes are not going up much, you must remember what these
property owners pay in assessments and utility rate increases.
Williams asked how many properties had lead connections. Hansen stated there were 10
services that had to be replaced.
Motion by Williams, second by Kelzenberg to close the Public Hearing and waive the reading
of Resolution No. 2006-169, there being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All
ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Williams, second by Diehm, to adopt Resolution No. 2006-169, being a resolution
adopting assessment rolls for the Zone 7B and 1 A Improvements, with friendly amendment by
Diehm and agreed to by Williams to set the interest rate at 6 percent and to recalculate the
University Heights condominium assessments. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2006-169
RESOLUTION LEVYING AND ADOPTING THE ASSESSMENT FOR PROJECT NO. 0502
ZONE 7B AND IA STREET REHABILITATION
Adopting assessment roll according to the City Charter for the following local improvements and determining that
said improvements have been made and ratifying and conforming all other proceedings, heretofore had: Special
Assessments numbered 2006-Z7-02-001, 2006-Z7-03-001, 2006-Z7-44-001, 2006-Z1-44-001, and 2006-Z1-44-002,
Full Street Reconstruction on 38th Avenue, Dead-end to Main Street, 2nd Street, 37th Avenue to 38th Avenue, 2nd Street,
39th Avenue to 40th Avenue, 2Y2 Street, 37th Avenue to Edgemoor Place, and Edgemoor Place, 2Y2 Street to 3rd Street,
Partial Street Reconstruction on California Street, 39th Avenue to Cul-de-sac, 2nd Street, 38th Avenue to 39th Avenue,
2Y2 Street, Edgemoor Place to 3rd Street, and 3rd Street, Edgemoor Place to 40th Avenue, and Mill and Overlay on 39th
Avenue, California Street to Main Street, Edgemoor Place, 2Y2 Street to 40th Avenue, 3rd Street, 38th Avenue to
Edgemoor Place, 38th Avenue, 3rd Street to Dead-end, 42nd Avenue, 2nd Street to 3rd Street, 2nd Street, 43rd Avenue to
44th Avenue, Tyler Place, 43Y2 Avenue to 45th Avenue, 43Y2 Avenue, Dead-end to Cul-de-sac, 44Y2 Avenue, Tyler
Place to Cul-de-sac, Buchanan Street, 44Y2 Avenue to 45th Avenue and adjoining streets and avenues all in Project
0502 - Zone 7B and lA.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, met at 7:00 o'clock p.m. on the 2nd day of
October, 2006, in the City Council Chamber, 590 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 of record, stating the
proposed amount of the assessment; and,
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 RESOLVES:
Section 1. That this Council does hereby adopt the aforesaid assessment roll known and described as "Assessment
Roll for Local Improvements" numbered 2006-Z7-02-001, 2006-Z7-03-001, 2006-Z7-44-001, 2006-Z1-44-001, and
2006-Z1-44-002, Project 0502.
Section 2: That this Council hereby fmds and determines that each of the lots and parcels of land enumerated in
said assessment roll was and is especially benefited by such improvement in an amount not less than the amount set
opposite in the column headed "Assessment Amount". And 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 assessment roll.
Section 3: That said assessments may be paid in part or in full without interest on or before November 15\ 2006.
Any unpaid amount will be certified to Anoka County for collection with the real estate taxes beginning with the taxes
payable in the year 2007. The annual principal installments, together with 6% accrued on the unpaid balance are due
and payable with the real estate taxes for a period of fifteen years or less as designated on the assessment roll.
Section 4: That this Council did hereby detern1ine and re-detemline to proceed with said improvement, does ratifj
and confirm all other proceedings heretofore had in regard to this improvement, and said improvement shall hereafter
be known and numbered as Local Improvement numbered 2006-Z7-02-001, 2006-Z7-03-001, 2006-Z7-44-001, 2006-
ZI-44-001, and 2006-Z1-44-002, Project 0502.
Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
Adjourn
Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.
Patricia Muscovitz, CMC
Deputy City Clerk/Council Secretary