Agenda - Council - 06/23/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that she is not sure this is a case of the City or individual having to sue. She stated that it appears this is an area being looked at by several cities who have charters and are concerned with groups of people. She commented that what Rarnsey does or does not do may involve a group of people, a class action type of law suit, or it could result in an attorney who may want to take the opposing side and not ask for a huge fee to take this on. Mr. Le. Fevere agreed that whatever action taken there may be someone who wants to challenge the City. Another potential may be that the courts will not accept a law suit unless they have before them the real parties of interest. In that case, the court may reject the law suit and refuse to rule on it. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that she thinks Ramsey got into having amendments like this and others in the Charter because some citizens felt that, perhaps, the City processes were too closed and they were not allowed time and opportunity to make comment. Also there is a great fear to residents who own more than an are of land that they would be taxed om of their homes if required to connect to sewer. She commented that to a certain extent, the Council has tried to alleviate some of those fears by opening the process of the Plan amendment and giving groups of people and individuals the opportunity to serve on committees to provide input on how they want to see Ramsey develop. Along with that, Agenda Item Case #7 involves a small step to accommodate a business in a place where it is believed businesses should develop and allow it to develop in a way that is less expensive and more environmentally sound. She stated she can see rationale to take action in a positive way on that request but the Council needs to make assurances to residents that it does not want ram sewer into every parcel of land in Ramsey. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated the City needs to think about what the City's ordinances say now, particularly when dealing with sewer issues, that may have to be changed in order to give citizens assurance that putting sewer into a place where it is not wanted is not the Council's intent. She stated that she does not think the City has the staff expertise to do that at this point a.ad suggested the Council consider if the professional planning firm should look at the ordinances in conjunction with that and change them, if necessary. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that she is comfortable with leaving this and tBring to be accommodating in Agenda Item Case #7 but she also wants to give assurance to residents that they will be protected in the land planning going on now, Mayor Garnet stated that he has lived in Ramsey for quite a while and also served on the Planning Commission with Councilmember Zimmerman and acted on extending sewer. But, at no time, has the City forced anyone to connect to sewer and water. He noted there are properties in the area of sewer utilities that are not forced to connect and there is no reason to hit existing residential areas that do not want the service. Mayor Gamec stated if you look at the actions of this Council they have never once gone into an existing residential development and forced connection. There are even safeguards indicating the residents do not have to connect until th~ sell their property. Mayor Gamec stated that he feels the Coundlmembers have no desire to force connection by existing people and there is no reason to do so. He pointed out that the landfill area has sewer available in case there is a pollution problem and it is needed but residents are not forced to connect. Mayor Garnet noted this charter issue is taking away fi-om the City's tax base and the Council's goal is commercial development. City Council/June 9, 1998 Page 17 of 27