Agenda - Council - 07/10/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Holasek replied that the property owners don't necessarily want to sell the property, but they are facing an unrealistic burden so they have no choice. Jim Gilbertson, J.R.'s, stated that the last couple of days there have been a lot of articles in the newspapers about TIF in other cities and the problems that it has caused. He inquired as to what the percentage of TIF the City of Ramsey had. In regards to the storm water sub drainage district he stated that everyone is going to be in court a long time over the issue. Mayor Gamec noted that staff could get the TIF information for Mr. Gilbertson. Mr. Gilbertson replied that the reason they have the storm sewer problem is because there are so many TIF Districts and the City can't asses property that the City already owns so the City came across the railroad tracks and pushes the existing property owners out of the City. He stated that he can't afford $46,000 in property taxes. Mayor Gamec stated'that it is a problem that probably should have been handled years ago; but it wasn't and it needs to be resolved. Councilmember Kurak stated that as soon as she was elected she began taking call from the Dillons and Holaseks and started meeting with them prior to being sworn in as a Councilmember. She understands their concerns and has seen their tax bill. She does not understand how the City can place such a hardship on individual property owners that have nothing on their properties. They are people who are looking to retire and moving out and the City is now placing a burden on them where they are going to be unable to keep their property. She stated that the Council continuously discusses the fact that they do not want sewer and water going in front of people's houses and not wanting to assess the elderly and yet they are willing to place such a burden on these property owners. Ms. Kurak stated that she does not understand why the project can't be stopped until a time that the land is sold or developed on or have the City subsidize the project. She stated that she wanted someone to tell her why the City can't help these property owners when they are looking at having their property taken away by tax forfeiture. Mr. Gilbertson stated that the property owners along Highway #10 have been paying taxes since before Ramsey was a City. City Administrator Norman stated that they could delay the second phase of the project, but the taxing would continue. The district has been created and it is part of the County system. City Attorney Goodrich noted that the Council could revoke the ordinance that established the district. City Administrator Norman pointed out that the difficulty with revoking the ordinance is that the project has already been initiated. City Council/June 12, 2001 Page 9 of 19 -65-