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<br />Councilmember Elvig stated that if the City assesses someone and they get an overlay, they get <br />50%, if it moves to MSA standards, then you have the chance to assess for curb and gutter. He <br />stated that his question is whether a 25% assessment for this is worth it. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson asked ifhe was hearing 50% for general street assessment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked what the average range is for the assessments for these <br />improvements. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that the problem is the difference between urban <br />neighborhoods and rural neighborhoods, and noted that because of density and lot size, there are <br />less costs in urban areas. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that some cities just have a flat rate for the assessments. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that there is a wide variety of lot sizes in Ramsey, but the City <br />may be able to assess at 50% for whatever lot size or frontage. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson asked if there was consensus for 50% assessment for street portion, <br />50% for curb and gutter but an additional 25% to be paid by storm water utility, so residents only <br />pays 25% of curb and gutter. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that the City knows annually how much the City does for <br />sealcoating and overlay. He stated that the City also knows every year what amount of MSA <br />work will be done. He stated that there were recent discussions at a Council meeting regarding <br />street lights and storm sewers and that everyone in the City pays in for those, whether they have <br />them or not. He asked if it was conceivable for every resident to pay in annually for street <br />projects, so they don't get stuck with a $7,000 assessment. He stated that he is thinking of <br />homes that are facing foreclosure and they are now assessed for their road. He stated that he <br />thinks people would be comfortable paying into a road fund, but he wonders what the cost would <br />be for people. He asked if it would be $100 per year per property. He stated that he would like <br />to get a handle on what this would mean to people. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski stated that, fortunately, the City is in the situation where there are not a <br />lot of roads that need reconstruction. He stated that this issue came about because the City was <br />proposing an overlay for Andrie Street and the residents came back and asked for more to be <br />done. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that his point is that residents will pay for this work regardless, <br />whether it is an assessment or levy, so he would like to see how the City can reduce it to the <br />minimum impact, so it is a little more palatable for them. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that ad valorum taxes aren't the best way to do this kind of <br />thing either, because the people on larger lots may get off easier. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 7, 2008 <br />Page 9 of 14 <br />