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Mr. Goodrich stated that the process is pretty "loose" for the petition. In favor of — the petition <br />comes in and we count property owners on the stretch of property but it's very strict who gets <br />assessed because the City cannot assess properties for more than what it gets benefitted by. He <br />talked about assessments hearings, etc. to make sure there are no challenges once the <br />improvement is done. If the benefit is not proved, it comes out of the City's General Fund. He <br />talked about equal basis for property owners. <br />Discussion ensued regarding the types of streets that can be assessed. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that generally benefitting properties are those that have <br />frontage. <br />Chairperson Field stated that when the Charter Commission met last month, we had discussion <br />about language for an ordinance and he noted that has been submitted with the case and he <br />agreed with the suggested placement of the language. <br />Mr. Goodrich stated it's better to do this in ordinance form because State Statutes says the <br />Charter recommends an ordinance to the City Council and the City Council has to have a public <br />hearing within a month of the recommendation. Then it has to pass unanimously because we are <br />by- passing initiative and referendum but people have 90 days to petition against the ordinance. <br />Mr. Goodrich explained that if the chapter sections change, it would call for us to make a change <br />to the Charter. <br />Chairperson Field stated this appears to be a cost savings practicality issue and more of a <br />community consensus. With 50 percent, it's conceivable that you could get 50 percent in favor <br />and later you could get 50 percent or more that would oppose it. He wanted to make sure it will <br />not prohibit a counter- petition. <br />City Attorney Goodrich replied that it just has to match — it is an automatic done deal if it is <br />greater than the petition against. <br />Colin McGlone, 15890 St. Andrews Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that he serves on the City Council <br />and the Public Works Committee and expressed that this subject is near and dear to his heart. He <br />wondered if Section 8.4.3 excluding commercial properties is statutory. <br />Mr. Goodrich responded no, but that did not change. <br />Mr. McGlone declared he owns a commercial property on Jarvis Street in Elk River, across the <br />street from Ramsey. His property is zoned industrial but if it was all one City — say we have <br />residential across the road — the way he reads it is he would not have a say and he would pay <br />more than anyone on that strip. Is it really that big a deal. He is wondering what's the logic to <br />exclude business owners from having a say in what they get assessed for. <br />Chairperson Field commented that this was amended in 2006. <br />Charter Commission/ April 19, 2012 <br />Page 3 of 10 <br />