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Mayor Reimann noted that if the bids come in 10% higher than City Staffs estimates, the <br />project cannot be considered for at least one year. <br /> <br />Mr. Billmark - Inquired if there is ever a circumstance whether other agency funding is <br />available to assist in improvement projects. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann replied that there is no other agency funding available for improving streets <br />in residential neighborhoods; MSA funds are available for designated MSA roads. <br /> <br />Mr. Billmark - Inquired if maintenance costs are paid for with property taxes or <br />assessments. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann replied that the City pays for road maintenance (snowplowing, grading, <br />etc.). Once roads are paved, the benefitting property owners are assessed for the first <br />sealcoating application; the City participates in 50% of the cost of second and subsequent <br />sealcoatings and overlays. <br /> <br />Mr. Billmark - Stated that the City saves money when it no longer has to grade a road but <br />still the residents have to pay for the first sealcoating. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann noted that even though a road no longer requires grading, there are other <br />costs involved with maintaining a paved road. <br /> <br />Mr. Billmark - Inquired as to why persons owning more than parcel only have one vote. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann replied that the policy of one vote per property owner is the City's way of <br />providing a check and balance to protect the residents from a situation where an owner of <br />many parcels would have the power to force a project through. <br /> <br />Mr. Billmark - Inquired as to who pays the assessments to park parcels. <br /> <br />Mr. Hanley replied that the City of Ramsey pays any assessments to parcels owned by the <br />City. <br /> <br />Mr. Billmark - Stated that the project cost is too high and the assessments do not match the <br />benefit. Mr. Billmark noted that the project cost is high because of poor soils but he has <br />lived in the area for 8 years and it's gravel state, the road never washed out, even in high <br />water table years. <br /> <br />Mr. Otto stated that the Anoka County Survey and Soils maps indicate there are poor soils <br />in this particular area. If the project proceeds, soil borings will be taken. <br /> <br />Mr. Billmark - Stated that he is opposed to the project because he is in the process of <br />selling his home and it would be financially costly for him to deduct a $4700 assessment <br />from his profit. Mr. Billmark presented a petition from homeowners opposing the <br />proposed project. <br /> <br />Mr. Otto noted that the project cost was estimated at $60,000 a couple of years ago; that <br />estimated cost has increased 5%-10%; the longer a project is delayed, the more the cost <br />increases and it is the homeowner who ultimately has to pay those additional costs. <br /> <br />City Council Public Hearing/February 13, 1990 <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br />