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<br />Councilmember Dehen stated that what bothers him about the assessment process, is that it <br />seems to him that if there is a policy where these come up and the City has a priority of where <br />they are done, that will be the answer to the public rather than asking them whether they want it <br />or not. He stated that it seems like the City keeps having to grovel to the special interests to get <br />these done rather than having a policy and priority order in place for their completion. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski stated that there are policies for sealcoating and overlays, just not for <br />reconstruction. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked if the City wants to do this project with the assessment the same as <br />an overlay. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that then the City can develop the policy. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that he feels if the residents get this study, they will counter <br />petition and the project will die. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson asked where the City could get additional money if they were assessed at <br />the overlay amount. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that it would take away probably 1/3 ofthe available MSA funds. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson asked if the City could afford that with the projects that are planned. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen asked if there are ways to cheapen the Audrie Street project, such as <br />leaving out the sidewalks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he thinks the parameters of this project need to be more flexible <br />because of the conversations that the City has had with the residents. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that she is concerned about setting a precedent. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look suggested that the City present this study, which will drive them to the <br />bargaining table and then ask if they would agree to a $3,000 assessment and skip the sidewalk. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that removing the sidewalk would bring the City's cost down. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that if this is what the Council wants to do, okay, but there <br />have been concerns raised about pedestrian safety in the area and he would like to stick with a <br />sidewalk. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that she has a problem eliminating the sidewalk for the very reason <br />the City is doing this project, because this street gets a lot of activity, such as trucks bypassing <br />the weigh station and there would be no sidewalk for kids to ride their bikes on. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that this is an established neighborhood and to come in after 20 <br />years and put in sidewalks on both sides of the road would be difficult. He stated that you get <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 21, 2008 <br />Page 9 of 11 <br />