Minutes - Council Work Session - 12/11/2012

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Senator Petersen agreed that should not be too controversial of a change. Councilmember Elvig stated if the Legislature is willing to change the policy on where rent funds are directed, could it bond an overpass and earmark those revenues to pay for the bond. He stated if RALF properties are generating revenue, he wants it used to improve Highway 10. Representative Abeler stated he would be interested in talking about that option. Funding of Local Road Improvements City Administrator Ulrich stated Ramsey has an issue with funding local road improvements and the Council has held discussions on options such as a road improvement fee or transportation utility fee. He noted the Governor's Task Force is recommending a street improvement fee as an option and Ramsey would like that fee in its "toolbox." City Administrator Ulrich noted the Council had discussed assessments or other fees to fund road improvements but maybe that would be more directional to cost and benefit to the residents. Representative Abeler stated they are trying to assure the project is correctly sized but he does not see where that amount of money will go anywhere. Representative Scott agreed, noting the Governor has already backed off that option. Representative Abeler acknowledged that the problems Ramsey faces are real but at some point, cities are on their own. He noted that with a road project, residents can see it has been fixed and are usually all right with that cost. He asked if Ramsey thinks some piece of that bill can be protected for Ramsey's local road projects. Senator Petersen asked for more information about the fee. City Administrator Ulrich explained the City would set up a street maintenance reconstruction utility and charge a fee across the properties being improved. That money would be specifically targeted to certain areas. Senator Petersen asked if the fee would then be used within that area. City Administrator Ulrich indicated it would be used in the area with problem streets that can be geographically separated to address funding for road reconstruction. He explained Ramsey has pushed many of those costs back into the General Fund and budget savings have gone into street reconstruction. Special Services District (SSD) • Include Multiple - Family Housing in SSD Legislation City Administrator Ulrich stated cities are enabled by law to set up Special Services Districts (SSD) if they want to provide an enhanced level of service to a commercial area such as the West City Council Work Session / December 11, 2012 Page 5 of 12