Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/19/2013

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City Administrator Ulrich explained the Charter provision is inefficient and the City had attempted to change that Charter provision by increasing the percentage required to kill a project. Another approach is to hold the assessment hearing on the front end prior to drafting the plans, or to consider assessing a flat fee. City Administrator Ulrich stated staff will present different scenarios for the Council to consider at an upcoming meeting, research the Street Reconstruction bond and Transportation Improvement District, and try to narrow the policy decisions. Acting Mayor Backous noted property owners will have to pay sooner or later and the issue is how to pay for it. He polled the Council whether it supported assessments. Acting Mayor Backous, Councilmembers Elvig, Kuzma, LeTourneau, and Riley supported eliminating assessments for road projects. Acting Mayor Backous polled the Council about support for franchise fees. Councilmembers Kuzma, LeTourneau, and Riley indicated a willingness to entertain that option, but not yet supported it. Councilmember Elvig supported franchise fees since 73% of residents surveyed supported that option. City Administrator Ulrich asked if staff should survey communities to ask how they are funding road projects. The Council stated they would like to receive that information. Acting Mayor Backous, Councilmembers Elvig, Kuzma, LeTourneau, and Riley stated the funds raised for road projects must be dedicated and not eligible for other uses. The Council asked staff to research the new Legislation for a Road Improvement District. The consensus of the Council found there was need for a 30 -year vision that is planned in five - year increments. It agreed to concentrate on the first -five year increment at this time. Councilmember Riley stated he intends to rely on professional staff to determine appropriate street standards. Councilmember Elvig indicated when staff is determining the high and mid -range, it may assist to have a policy relating to pockets of redevelopment/advanced development where roads will be left alone knowing they will redevelop at some point. He believed those zones should be marked out, which may help to balance the high mark of road needs. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated you cannot go only on year constructed and offered the option of using a weighted scale for clay soils, high potential for redevelopment, potential for MSA road designation by virtue of future connection, and looking at a whole range of possibilities. He did not think year built was a consideration because it was not an accurate read on road condition. Rather, pavement rating is more reliable. City Council Work Session / March 19, 2013 Page 14 of 16