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COMMISSION BUSINESS <br />5.1 Review Ordinance Revising Chapter 8 of the Charter regarding Special Assessment <br />Petitions <br />City Attorney Goodrich reviewed the ordinance revising the language in Chapter 8 dealing with <br />special assessment petitions. <br />Commissioner Sherman stated that even if only 10 percent of a neighborhood petitions for an <br />improvement, if the City Council approves it by a 4 /5ths vote, it can go forward anyway. <br />Mr. Goodrich replied that is correct. <br />Commissioner Sherman stated that the purpose of the 50.percent is to give the Council a greater <br />feeling for the project before they order it. <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that is correct. Because of our Charter, if you get a 35 percent petition in, <br />then 35 percent can veto it so it's dead for another year. A feasibility study costs money and 35 <br />percent can veto the project and the City has already spent the money. Fifty percent puts the <br />threshold up. <br />Commissioner Sherman agreed it is greater security but not a guarantee to which Mr. Goodrich <br />replied that is right. There are a lot of things that have to happen. <br />Commissioner Anderson asked about the rationale for exempting certain people. <br />Mr. Goodrich responded that no one is exempt — if you are a property owner you are assessed. <br />Business owners are not exempt either. <br />Commissioner Deemer commented that it's intended in 8.4.3 — greater than one acre in size. <br />Commissioner Anderson expressed concern about 8.4.4 — about exempted property owners. <br />Commissioner Deemer added that State Statutes does not have that in it. This is for the petition <br />against it. Anyone can sign the initiating petition — but to oppose it is what that language is for. <br />Commissioner Deemer talked about a property that was owned by five different people — they <br />would have the overwhelming vote. <br />Chairperson Field talked about adding a provision. He inquired if 8.4.3 is the form 8.4.2 to <br />which Mr. Goodrich replied yes — it was added. 8.4.2 was never included because it was State <br />Statute but now we are adding it in. <br />Commissioner Bendtsen asked how benefitted property owners are determined. <br />Charter Commission/ April 19, 2012 <br />Page 2 of 10 <br />