The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About12-07-2020 Public Improvement Hearing Minutes 6:45OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING- PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING DECEMBER 7, 2020 The following are the minutes for the special meeting of the City Council held at 6:45 pm on Monday, December 7, 2020 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Schmitt called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm. Present: Mayor Schmitt; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Councilmember Novitsky; Councilmember Williams Also Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer; Barb Thomas, Assessing Clerk; and Nicole Tingley, City Clerk PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING: 2021 STATE AID STREET REHABILITATION PROGRAM 1. Presentation of Information on State Aid Street Rehabilitation Project by Staff Public Works Director Hansen explained that the project is a mill and overlay for 44th Avenue from University Avenue to Jefferson Street. He stated that the funding scenario is different for state aid streets. He noted that it is the intention to complete the other section of 44th Avenue in 2022. Hansen explained that even though state aid streets are wider they are assessed as if they are the width of a typical local street. Furthermore, the assessments are further subsidized based on traffic volume. There is also utility work that will be completed with the project. 2. Questions and Comments on Street Rehabilitation Project Mayor Schmitt inquired about the impacts of the construction on the bus route. Hansen stated they would notify the bus company when milling and paving and that they can choose to reroute, but they can get around. Richard Pulkka (4335 44th Street) stated that he was also assessed for construction on 43rd Avenue and commented that it was not fair. Pulkka asked for the assessment amount. Hansen explained for the work on 44th Avenue, Pulkka is proposed to be assessed a 0.75 Avenue assessment and for 43rd Avenue Pulkka was assessed a 0.25 Avenue assessment. Pulkka asked what the County was paying for towards the project. Hansen explained that 44th Avenue is a City road, not a County road. Hansen shared an email sent by Laura Lundquist-Peskorz. He stated Linquist-Peskorz was opposed to the project and the amount of the assessment and that she believes the condition City Council Minutes December 7, 2020 Page 2 of the road is fine. A copy of the email is attached as Exhibit A to the minutes. Hansen shared an email sent by Dean Beyer (4430 7th Street). He stated Beyer is opposed to the project due to high property taxes and the condition of the road. A copy of the email is attached as Exhibit B to the minutes. Mayor Schmitt asked Hansen to share information regarding the timing of payments. Hansen stated that there are no payments required until the assessment hearing which is typically around the first week of October. Those assessed have 30 days from the assessment hearing to pay the assessment without interest. 3.Close the Public Hearing Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to close the public hearing of the 2021 State Aid Street Rehabilitation, Project 2005 All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 4.Consideration of Resolution Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to waive the reading of Resolution 2020-110, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to adopt Resolution 2020-110 being a resolution ordering improvement and preparation of plans for 2021 State Aid Street Rehabilitation, City Project 2005. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Williams, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ___________________________________ Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary From:laura lundquist-peskorz To:Kathy Young; Kathy Young; "Lo03@yahoo.com" Cc:Kevin Hansen; Nicole Tingley Subject:Re: Public Improvement Hearing, Dec 7th at 6:45 pm, Zoom meeting information Date:Saturday, December 5, 2020 9:22:36 AM Attachments:image001.png This message originated from outside the City of Columbia Heights email system. Use caution when clicking hyperlinks, downloading pictures or opening attachments. If necessary, contact sender by phone. WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! Hello Kathy, Thank you for sending the information regarding attending the Monday night City Council meeting virtually. Unfortunately a family emergencies has occurred, and I will no longer be able to attend. My husband & I would still like to provide our thoughts on opposition of this proposed project. Please relay the below note to the City Council. Thank you, Laura Lundquist-Peskorz Dear City Council, My husband and I are in strong opposition to the proposed 44th Ave. & 4th-5th St. street repavement project. Our family lives paycheck to paycheck & supports a young child. The financial cost of over $500+ to be paid in one month's time next October (or then it will be added to our property tax WITH interest for the text ten years) is completely unfair and unacceptable. Our family does not HAVE over $500 to pay, and we could not afford the additional property tax hike-up. This would put serious undue financial strain & burden on our family. There are SEVERAL families on our block and some on financial assistance. How could you jeopardize our livelihoods like this? In addition, my husband & I have lived in several cities and NEVER had to pay such additional costs. We pay enough as it is with our taxes increasing every year, thus this is unjust to do when the city or State should be paying for such road expenditures. Lastly, the road on 44th Ave. between 4th & 5th St. is FINE and in no way need the amount of rework & cost you're proposing. I've never had a single issue with the road and do not see any cars falling into potholes or having road related accidents. In closing, while we appreciate your continued commitment to improving our City, this is at the cost of the citizens and not what we want or voted for. We sincerely oppose this project and request you highly reconsider alternative, government-funded, options. Thank you, Laura Lundquist-Peskorz Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, Dec 4, 2020 at 11:13 AM, Kathy Young <KYoung@columbiaheightsmn.gov> wrote: Exhibit A- 12/7/20 2021 State Aid Street Rehabilitation Program Public Improvement Hearing Minutes Hello- Thank you for discussing the proposed project on 44th Avenue with us. The City Council agenda is attached with contains information to attend the hearing remotely. If you have questions about the notice or attending the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (763) 706- 3611 prior to 4:30 pm on Monday, December 7. Please contact me with any questions or concerns about the project. Thanks. Kathy Young | Assistant City Engineer City of Columbia Heights | Public Works Department 637 38th Avenue NE | Columbia Heights, MN 55421 KYoung@ColumbiaHeightsMN.gov Direct: (763) 706-3704 Main: (763) 706-3700 Disclaimer: Information in this message or attachment may be government data and thereby subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act; may be subject to attorney-client or work product privilege; may be confidential, privileged, proprietary, or otherwise protected. The unauthorized review, copying, retransmission, or other use or disclosure of the information is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please immediately notify the sender of the transmission error and then promptly delete this message from your computer system. From:Dean Beyer To:Donna Schmitt; Nicole Tingley Subject:44th Avenue project Date:Monday, December 7, 2020 2:19:22 AM This message originated from outside the City of Columbia Heights email system. Use caution when clicking hyperlinks, downloading pictures or opening attachments. If necessary, contact sender by phone. WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! Hello Mayor Schmitt and Ms. Tingley, I’m writing in regards to the proposed assessments for the street repair on 44th Ave. As a homeowner in this city for over 20 years (and who would be affected by this proposal), I’d like to go on record as being opposed to this proposal. The high property taxes we’re currently paying should already cover road repairs. 44th Ave is also a gateway to both Minneapolis and St. Anthony which makes it more utilized by all and not just the residents adjacent to it. I just don’t think it’s fair to penalize property owners for their proximity to a particular street. Thank you Dean Beyer 4430 7th St NE Exhibit B- 12/7/20 2021 State Aid Street Rehabilitation Program Public Improvement Hearing Minutes