Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/04/2010

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6.02: Public Hearing and Levy of Assessments for Past -Due Charges on Municipal Utility Bills and Current Services Rendered Finance Officer Lund stated that the City provides varying services that are billed directly to residents through the municipal utility bill and through City invoices. This is the twelfth year that the City will be certifying delinquent payments as assessments to be collected with property taxes payable in 2011. The total of delinquent payments is a little over $387,000, which includes penalties and interest. Payments will be accepted until November 5, and after that, it is sent to the County to be certified on the taxes. She presented a trend analysis, which shows there were $197,000 in delinquent charges in 2009 and the City has collected $119,000 of that. She talked about the calls her department gets regarding utility services — streetlights, storm water, etc. She speculated residents didn't realize these fees were being charged before when it came out with their electric bill from Connexus. She added the delinquent amount stays with the property — not the owner. She stated this is a public hearing. Motion by Councilmember Elvig and seconded by Councilmember Wise to close the regular portion of the City Council meeting to hold a public hearing. Motion carried. The regular portion of the meeting was closed at 7:10 p.m. Public Hearing Mayor Ramsey opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Charles DeLaney, 8404 —161st Avenue NW, START HERE 6.04 Public Hearing on IP #08-33 Ute Street Improvements Assistant City Engineer Jankowski stated this project consists of the grading and paving of Ute Street, north of 179th Lane. The project also included the installation of storm sewer and water treatment before discharging to Rogers Lake. Project costs are to be divided among three funding sources, which include the City's General Fund, the Storm Water Utility Fund, and special assessments to nine benefitted properties. The assessed portion of the costs is to be collected over a ten-year period. He stated that all project elements are completed with the exception of turfing of disturbed areas. There will be a follow-up with hydro seeding. The final assessment cost ($6,321) came in very closely to the estimate of $6,599. Dick Giddings, 18001 Ute Street NW, stated that everyone is in acceptance of the assessment. Councilmember Elvig stated that in the letter that was handed out, it says the amount of the assessment proposed represents 30 percent and it is being reimbursed through tax revenue. He stated that is not true as about 40 percent was drainage. The other issue the City has a problem with is this project should have started in May, then June, then July, then September and it is still not complete. He wondered if that might cause some problems for seeding. He added that the City Council / September 28, 2010 Page 4 of 6 P24