Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/14/2014

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Mayor Strommen asked whether this Council wants to assure that all future Councils must keep this property as a park. She suggested staff look into the type of easement used by the City of Anoka across the River for a third party conservation easement. Community Development Director Gladhill stated staff will vet that option but noted this is a very active park, which may impact a third party holding a conservation easement. Councilmember Kuzma stated he would rather spend the $20,000 on roads than to plat a park and he is comfortable with leaving this property as is. The consensus of the Council was to keep this property as park and direct staff to vet options to assure this property remains a park into perpetuity and obtain additional survey estimates. 2.03: Review Draft Special Assessments Policy for City Improvement Projects City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and consideration of the Public Works Committee relating to a Special Assessments Policy at three of its meetings and direction to staff to make some edits to the draft Policy. He stated the Policy within the Council's meeting packet contains those requested edits, noting it was drafted based on the League of Minnesota Cities' model policy. City Engineer Westby asked for direction on the Policy components and identified assessment methods for single- and multi - family residential, commercial, and industrial properties. He reviewed the documentation that had been provided for the Council's consideration and indicated that the feasibility report for Garnet Street and 168 Avenue has been delayed until a good funding policy /assessment policy is in place. City Engineer Westby provided a slide presentation that described the components within the Special Assessment Policy, assessment methods (area, lot/unit, and front footage); options for assessment rates ranging from 25% to 100% for new construction (no special assessment for crackseal/sealcoat); financing rates (2% over US Treasury Bond interest rate); terms (varies by project type); deferrals (65 and older or disabilities); and, special considerations (soil corrections, rural to urban conversion, developed vs. undeveloped properties, over sizing, sidewalks and/or trails). City Engineer Westby requested Council direction relating to whether utilities should be assessed now or later. He also asked if there are other considerations that staff should address. It was noted that staff would like to bring closure to the Special Assessments Policy in November so the Garnet Street and 168 Avenue feasibility report can be completed and bid during winter months for construction in the spring. Councilmember Riley stated his support to not discuss assessments for water and sewer utilities at this time. He preferred to focus on the Special Assessments Policy for road improvements. City Engineer Westby stated it was left in the Policy because currently, the Garnet Street and 168 Avenue feasibility report explores the cost for utilities at the time of reconstruction. He City Council Work Session / October 14, 2014 Page 6 of 10