Laserfiche WebLink
participate in the cost of storm drainage improvements to benefit the whole <br />area; yet, that property would be taxed just as it is being taxed for other <br />services that take place in a city. Another alternative is to have smaller <br />storm sewer taxing districts so they more accurately define the drainage area <br />to be improved. The City did conduct a public hearing on that alternative and <br />it is being considered a possibility. This hearing is to find out what the <br />public thinks about the community being divided into two major districts. The <br />question of cost has been previously raised. Staff can reveal what <br />improvements they think might be needed, assuming the need is sufficient and <br />Council orders the improvements. It is not likely that all the improvements <br />outlined in the Storm Drainaga Plan will have to take place and the timing of <br />these improvements may not provide the immediate relief some citizens are <br />concerned about. Note that this hearing is not about the improvements but <br />about the establishment of drainage districts as a means of financing <br />improvements, should they be warranted in the future. The costs for ~%1 the <br />improvements within a plan over the total life of projected improvements would, <br />on the average, be $16.20/year on a residential property valued at $60,000 at a <br />1.5 mill rate. The numbers are not intended to be a guarantee but rather a <br />crystal ball as to what might happen. The city's options are: 1) establish <br />storm sewer taxing districts to pay for storm sewer improvements; 2) Utilize <br />ad valorem taxes for storm sewer improvements - this method takes a long time <br />to get the improvements in; 3) Utilize special assessments which involves <br />gathering petitions for an improvement, the improvement is proposed, and if a <br />majority of the people in the area did not want the improvement, the <br />improvement would not proceed. <br /> <br />Citizen - What is storm sewer? Are you talking situated culverts or a whole <br />system of pipes installed throughout neighborhoods? <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley - Sanitary sewer systems are closed systems to take wastes and <br />channel them off to a place for processing. Storm sewer systems take care of <br />surface water~ groundwater, and things that cause flooding problems. Storm <br />sewers handle non-noxious kinds of water. Many of the kinds of improvements <br />that would take place would be in the form of ditches~ culverts and possibly <br />some underground pipes to handle storm drainage water. It should be noted that <br />developers will be required to build their own drainage needs as they develop. <br /> <br />Mr. Raatikka - These storm sewer improvements may not take care of groundwater <br />problems immediately; it will take a long time to get groundwater levels down. <br /> <br />Citizen - Do the Rum and Mississippi Districts mean there will be outlets to <br />each of the rivers? <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley - Area included in each district was based on the lay of the land <br />and the direction to which the water flows naturally. <br /> <br />Lola Waller - 7350 155th Avenue NW - Sounds like the city has already made <br />plans for storm sewer improvements. <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley - Cities in the metro area are required to prepare a plan that <br />would tell Metro Council and other communities what Ramsey is going to do about <br />basics like storm drainage, water and sewer. Ramsey's comprehensive storm <br />drainage plan was prepared in 1980. With respect to specific improvement <br />projects, there have been some feasibility studies completed in the area of the <br />Mississippi River drainage district. <br /> <br />Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />