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CITY OF BLAINE - PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT - SPECIAL ASSESSMENT POLICY <br />playgrounds, tree plantings, and new street patterns, the City can utilize special <br />assessments to good advantage. <br />3. Summary of Steps in Special Assessment Proceedings <br />a) Initiation of Proceedings: This may be done either by the Council on its own initiative <br />or by the Council accepting a petition submitted by affected property owners. If the <br />petition is used, it must be signed by the owners representing at least 35% in frontage of <br />the property bordering on the proposed improvements. If the Council acts originally on its <br />own initiative, a simple majority is needed to initiate the proceedings. In initiating <br />proceedings, or in accepting a petition requesting such proceedings, the Council may <br />simultaneously order a Feasibility Report on the proposed improvement. <br />b) Preparation of a Report: The law requires a report on the feasibility of the proposal be <br />prepared by the City Engineer or by some other competent person selected by the <br />Council. It must cover such factors as the need for the project, an estimate of cost, and <br />any other information thought pertinent and necessary for complete Council <br />consideration. <br />c) Public Hearing: A hearing is held (see exception below) after notice of the hearing is <br />published in the official newspaper and mailed to each property owner proposed to be <br />assessed. The notice states the time and place of the hearing, the general nature of the <br />improvement, the estimated cost, and the area proposed to be assessed. All interested <br />persons should have a chance to be heard at the hearing. This public hearing step may <br />be omitted when a petition requesting the improvement has been signed by 100% of the <br />affected landowners. <br />d) Ordering the Improvement and Preparation of Plans: The resolution ordering the <br />improvement may be passed by a simple majority of the Council if proceedings were <br />originally initiated by petition. If not, the resolution must be adopted by an affirmative vote <br />by at least four -fifths (6 of 7) of the Council. <br />e) Preparation of Plans, Awarding Bids: Upon completion, the plans and specifications <br />must be approved by the Council prior to ordering advertisement for bids. Upon taking <br />bids, the Council then awards a contract and construction proceeds. <br />f) Preparation of Proposed Assessment Rolls: Assessment rolls are lists of benefited <br />properties prepared for each assessment project. They should contain an identification <br />of each parcel of property, and the amount of the proposed assessment apportioned to <br />each parcel. <br />g) <br />Public Hearing on the Proposed Assessment: The purpose of this hearing, normally <br />conducted after an improvement project is substantially completed, is to give affected <br />property owners an opportunity to be heard on the matter of the actual assessments <br />proposed to be levied. Notice must be published in the official newspaper and mailed to <br />each property owner prior to the hearing date. This assessment hearing may also be <br />held prior to awarding the contract, with the understanding that the adopted assessment <br />roll may not be varied to reflect higher than estimated actual project costs. <br />h) Approval and Certification of Assessment Rolls: After the assessment hearing, the <br />roll must be officially adopted by a Council resolution and then certified to the County <br />Auditor for levy and collection. <br />H:\TEAM\GISENG\PVMT•MGTISPECIAL ASSESSMENT POLICY\SPECIAL ASSESSMENT POLICY.DOC <br />