HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-2015 Special Assessment Hearing 2015 Concrete AlleyOfficial Proceedings
City of Columbia Heights
City Council
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT LEVY HEARING
OCTOBER 5, 2015
6:15 P.M.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT
6:15 PM ON MONDAY OCTOBER 5, 2015 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 590 40TH AVENUE N.E.,
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
Roll Call /Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM
Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmembers Schmitt, Nawrocki and Murzyn, Jr.
Absent: Councilmember Williams
Also Present: Walt Fehst -City Manager, Kevin Hansen - Public Works Director, Kathy Young- Assistant City
Engineer, Barb Thomas - Assessing Clerk, and Katie Bruno - Council Secretary.
Resolution 2015 -75 being a Resolution Levying and Adopting the Assessment for 2015 Concrete Alley
Construction, Project 1402.
Director Hansen gave an overview of the project. The final assessment rates are the same as proposed
at the Public Improvement Hearing for parcels with full access to the alleys. Director Hansen explained
that parcels with limited and restricted access have a portion of their assessment subsidized.
The original assessment notices were noticed with an interest rate of 6 %, Hansen noted in the past,
Council has decreased that to 4.5 %.
Councilmember Schmitt questioned the process for City owned property in the assessment area.
Director Hansen explained the City pays the same portion as any other benefiting property.
Kristen Winters and Chad Roberts -4207 Van Buren St NE objected to the limited access classification,
indicating they have no access. Photos were distributed to the Council, showing the large grade
change at their property. Mr. Roberts stated their driveway is on Van Buren St NE.
Mayor Peterson recommended changing their assessment to the "restricted access' rate.
Director Hanses stated if the change is made to one property; it should be changed on three total:
4201, 4207 and 4213 Van Buren St NE.
Dana Karjalahti -4213 Van Buren St NE explained they have the same issue, and do not have access to
the alley because of a steep grade.
Councilmember Nawrocki noted a letter was received from Malcom Watson, stating he feels the
commercial assessment policy is high in comparison to others.
Steve Sanchez -3923 Van Buren St NE questioned the monthly amount of the assessment over the 10
year period. Director Hansen gave an overview of payment options; explaining that if the amount is
paid in full within 30 days, there is no interest charged.
A resident from 3928 Central Ave questioned when his fence will be corrected. Director Hansen
explained that is an item on the punch list, and will be taken care of soon. The resident also
questioned why he was charged the commercial rate, when his property is both residential and
commercial. Director Hansen explained the property is zoned commercial.
Motion by Councilmember Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to close the Public Hearing
and waive the reading of Resolution 2015 -75, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes
Motion by Councilmember Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to adopt Resolution
2015 -75, being a resolution levying and adopting the assessment for 2015 Concrete Alley Construction
Project 1402, with an interest rate of 4.5% and making the recommended changes to the properties at
4201, 4207 and 4213 Van Buren St NE.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki to reduce the interest rate to 3 %. Motion failed for lack of a
second.
Motion by Councilmember Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to adopt Resolution
2015 -75, being a resolution levying and adopting the assessment for 2015 Concrete Alley Construction
Project 1402, with an interest rate of 4.5%, and making the recommended classification changes to
"restricted access" to the properties at 4201, 4207 and 4213 Van Buren St NE. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM
Respectively Submitted,
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Katie Bruno,
City Clerk /Council Secretary
RESOLUTION 2015 -75
A resolution of the City Council for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota,
WHEREAS, the City Council of Columbia Heights is adopting the 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 Assessment numbered 2014 -
AL -06 -002 and 2014 -AL -06 -003: Concrete Alley Construction on alleys located between Van Buren Street
and Central Avenue from 39th Avenue to 40th Avenue, Van Buren Street and Central Avenue from 42nd
Avenue to 43rd Avenue, and Monroe Street and Quincy Street from 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue, all in
project 1402; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, met at 6:15 o'clock p.m. on the
5th day of October, 2015, in the City Council Chambers, 590 40th Avenue NE, 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,
Now, therefore, in accordance with the foregoing, and all ordinances and regulations of the City of
Columbia Heights, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights makes the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
Section 1. That this Council does hereby adopt the aforesaid assessment roll for local improvements
known and described as "Concrete Alley Construction" numbered 2014 -AL -06 -002 and
2014 -AL -06 -003, Project 1402, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Section 2: That this Council hereby finds 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 "Actual
Assessment Amounts ". And this Council further finds and determines that the proper
proportion of the cost of such improvements to be specially 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 4:30 p.m.
on November 4th, 2015. Any unpaid amount will be certified to Anoka County for
collection with the real estate taxes beginning with the taxes payable in the year 2016. The
annual principal installments, together with 4.5% interest accrued on the unpaid balance
are due and payable with the real estate taxes for a period of ten years or less as
designated on the assessment roll.
Section 4: That this Council did hereby determine and re- determine to proceed with said
improvement, does ratify 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 2014 -AL -06 -002 and 2014 -AL -06 -003, Project 1402.
Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.