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RELEVANT LINKS: <br />Minn. Stat. § 429.031, subd. <br />1(a). <br />Klapmier v. Town of Center, <br />346 N.W.2d 133 (Minn. <br />1984). <br />Minn. Stat. § 429.031, subd. <br />1. <br />See Section VII : Exempt <br />property. <br />Minn. Stat. § 303.10, subd. <br />1(1). <br />Minn. Stat. § 435.19, subd. 2. <br />In re Channel Lane, 444 <br />N.W.2d 602 (Minn. Ct. App. <br />1989). <br />Minn. Stat. § 429.031, subd. <br />1. <br />Minn. Stat. § 429.031, subd. <br />1(t). <br />2. Mail notice of improvement hearing <br />The city must mail a notice once to each property owner in the proposed <br />assessment area, at least 10 days prior to the improvement hearing that states <br />the time and place of the hearing, the general nature of the improvement, the <br />estimated cost and the proposed assessment area. The notice must also <br />contain a statement that a reasonable estimate of the cost of the assessment <br />will be available at the hearing. <br />Cities will want to use great care when notifying citizens about assessment <br />proceedings. An accurate description of the assessment area is important. <br />The law requires detailed and careful notification to communicate which <br />property owners face paying assessments for local improvements. According <br />to the statute, failure to give mailed notice of the improvement hearing will <br />not invalidate subsequent assessment proceedings. In spite of this statutory <br />language one case found that failure to include the correct information in <br />mailed notices invalidated the entire special assessment proceeding on that <br />property. <br />Tax exempt properties or those not listed on county tax records potentially <br />pose problems for cities when notifying property owners about public <br />hearings regarding special assessments. Cities may use any "practicable <br />means" to determine the owners of such property. This could include <br />mailing notice to the owner's principal office in the state or the owner's <br />registered business office. Notice to other governmental entities must be sent <br />out at least two weeks before the improvement hearing, by registered or <br />certified mail to the head of the instrumentality, department or agency <br />having jurisdiction over the property. <br />E. Improvement hearing <br />At the improvement hearing, interested persons may voice their concerns, <br />whether or not they are in the proposed assessment area. A reasonable <br />estimate of the total amount to be assessed and a description of the <br />methodology used to calculate individual assessments for affected parcels <br />must be available at the hearing. If the council rejects the project, it may not <br />reconsider that same project unless another hearing is held following the <br />required notice. The council must prepare a record of the proceedings and <br />make written findings. <br />The council may adjourn and subsequently continue the improvement <br />hearing. To provide proper notice, before the improvement hearing is <br />adjourned, the council must state on the record, the date, time and place of <br />the continuation of the improvement hearing, if any. <br />League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 9/22/2011 <br />Special Assessment Guide Page 16 <br />