HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-2024 City Council Work Session Special Minutes - Assessment 2
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - ASSESSMENT HEARING:
2024 CONCRETE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM
CITY PROJECTS 2406
Mayor
Amáda Márquez Simula
Councilmembers
Connie Buesgens
Kt Jacobs
Rachel James
Justice Spriggs
City Manager
Aaron Chirpich
City Hall—Council Chambers, 3989 Central Ave NE
Monday, October 07, 2024
6:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Márquez Simula called the meeting to order at 6:00pm
Present: Mayor Márquez Simula: Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Jacobs; Councilmember
James Councilmember Spriggs
Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk;
Sulmaan Khan, Assistant City Engineer; Joe Kloiber, Finance Director; Andrew Splinter, Assistant
Finance Director; Barb Thomas, Assessing Clerk; Omar Sanatar, Resident; Carlos Covani, Resident; Linda
Rosenthal, Resident; Jeanne Skoog, Resident; MaryAnn Sulik, Resident; Tomas Emale, Resident;
Abdullahi Ahmed (via Teams), Resident.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Staff Report Regarding 2024 Concrete Alley Construction Program.
Assistant City Engineer Sulmaan Khan gave a brief overview of City Project 2406, and
assessment information. He noted that all substantial alley work had been completed and
that there were a few minor issues to resolve.
2. Special Assessment – 2024 Concrete Alley Construction Program Project.
Mayor Márquez Simula opened the public hearing. She stated that this is the public’s
opportunity to speak regarding this matter.
Councilmember Buesgens thanked Staff for their hard work on the project.
Resident Carlos Covani and his daughter addressed concerns related to not being able to
access their property from the concrete alley but were still charged for the improvements.
Assistant City Engineer Khan stated that not all properties have current access to the alley
but were assessed for the potential use of the alley if they choose to do so.
Resident MaryAnn Sulik informed Council about her concerns related to the end of the
alley coming in from the street on 44th as there is a large drop, and the residents are
concerned that there will be issues with snow piling up. She also had a printout of a photo
of a lump in the alley, and she is concerned about a potential driving hazard / lump in the
concrete that prevents her from accessing her driveway from the alley.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES October 07, 2024
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 2024 Concrete Alley Construction Program - City Projects 2406
Page 2
Assistant City Engineer Khan addressed the concern, and that the contractor will be
resolving these issues.
Resident Abdullahi Ahmed asked the council a question regarding the November deadline
related to making the full payment of the assessment before there is interested charged
and it is added to residents’ property taxes.
Public Works Director Hansen clarified that anyone could pay in full by November 14th, and
the life of the assessment is 10 years. He clarified that there was an improvement hearing
that was held in April 20224 advising the time frame of the work and an estimate of the
costs. The notice was published and sent via mail to all the property owners. Director
Hansen also clarified that there is interest collected because the City is paying for these
improvements upfront.
Councilmember Buesgens clarified that any amount can be paid by the November date and
that would reduce the principle. They have util November 14th to make a payment without
interest.
Assistant City Engineer Khan also added that residents can pay off the remaining balance at
any time.
Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs to close the public
hearing and waive the reading of Resolution 2024-70, regarding the assessment for 2024
Concrete Alley Construction, City Project 2406. All Ayes: Motion Carried 5-0.
There was no additional discussion of Resolution 2024-70 by the Council.
Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs to adopt Resolution
No. 2024-70 being a resolution levying and adopting the assessment for 2024 Concrete
Alley Construction, City Project 2406. All Ayes: Motion Carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, second by Councilmember Spriggs to adjourn. All Ayes: Motion
Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 6:31pm
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary