Agenda - Public Works Committee - 09/16/2014

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7. The repair of sidewalks and alleys. 8. The operation of a street lighting system. 9. The operation and maintenance of a fire protection or a pedestrian skyway system. SECTION 3. INITIATION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. Public improvement projects can be initiated in the following ways. 1. Public improvement projects may be initiated by petition of owners of at least 35% it frontage of the property abutting the proposed improvcmcntin accordance with the provisions of Section 8.4 of the City Charter. 2. Public improvements also may be initiated by the City Council when, in its judgment, such action is required and is in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the City Charter. 3. A resolution ordering any improvements initiated by the Council or by owners of less than 35% of abutting property owners requires a four -fifths majority vote of all members of the Council. A resolution ordering any improvements initiated by owners of not less than 35% of abutting property owners requires a majority vote of all members of the Council. A resolution ordering any improvements initiated by all owners of abutting property, and assessing the entire cost against their property, may be adopted without a public hearing. The Council may consider the request of a Developer to construct the improvements and assess them. SECTION 4. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE. The following is the general procedure followed by the City Council for all public improvement projects from initiation of such a project through certification of the assessment roll to the County Auditor. Formats for the various reports and resolutions referenced in this section are made a part of the policies and procedures of the City. City Charter provisions always take precedent over the following general procedure. 1. Staff reviews petition or Developer's request for submission to Council. 2. Council accepts or rejects petition or request. If based upon a petition, the Council adopts a resolution declaring whether the required percentage of property owners has signed. If the petition or request is accepted, Council orders preparation of feasibility report. 3. Staff prepares feasibility report. The report shall preliminarily evaluate whether the proposed improvement is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible and whether it should be made as proposed or in conjunction with another project. The report shall include an estimate of the cost of the improvement as proposed. Council may refer the report to the Planning and Zoning Commission. 4. Council accepts or rejects feasibility report. If accepted, Council orders public hearing on the improvements. 5. Staff posts and publishes hearing notice and mails notices to affected property owners as provided in Minn. Stat. § 429.031(a). 6. Council conducts public hearing. 7. Within six (6) months of the hearing date, Council adopts or rejects resolution ordering improvement to be constructed and advertisement of bids. If adopted, staff prepares final plans, advertises for and opens bids as provided in Minn. Stat. § 429.041, prepares bid tabulation, 3