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Provisions for City utility assessments remain in the draft Policy because the City Charter does not preclude <br />assessing for utility improvements if a property owner requests service. Language addressing credits for connecting <br />to City sewer and water with reconstruction projects has also been added. Staff welcomes Council input on this <br />language, particularly whether it should remain in the Policy or be removed and addressed at a later date. <br />Attached are copies of assessment policies from the cities of Andover, Blaine and Champlin which contain many of <br />the considerations included in the attached draft Policy for Ramsey. Assessment policies from numerous other cities <br />were also obtained and are available upon request. Attached for reference is a tabulation of pertinent information <br />from numerous other cities assessment policies. <br />Also attached is the Special Assessments Guide developed and distributed by the LMC. This guide defines special <br />assessments, discusses a cities authority to levy assessments for certain improvements and the process that must be <br />followed, and provides other relevant information and web site links that can assist in completing the final draft of <br />the City of Ramsey's Special Assessment Policy. <br />As previously discussed, Staff plans to finalize the Garnet Street/168th Avenue Feasibility Report once the draft <br />Special Assessments Policy is adopted. The Garnet Street project is included in the CIP for 2015 construction, <br />therefore final plans and specifications should be approved for bidding no later than March 24, 2015. <br />The Andrie Street/164th Lane Feasibility Report will be finalized at a later date as this project is included in the <br />CIP for 2016 construction, which will work nicely with Elk River's proposed reconstruction of Jarvis Street in 2015. <br />Timeframe: <br />Approximately 30 minutes for presentation and discussion. <br />Funding Source: <br />The draft Special Assessments Policy is being developed in-house as part of Staffs normal duties. The City <br />Attorney is reviewing the draft Policy as to legal form and to ensure it conforms with all applicable City Charter <br />provisions related to assessments. Costs for the City Attorney to review the Policy will be paid from the general <br />budget. <br />Responsible Party(ies): <br />City Engineer Westby will present the case. City Administrator Ulrich, Finance Director Lund, and City Attorney <br />Langel will be available to provide additional information and respond to questions as needed. <br />Jason Messner with Patchin Messner & Dodd will be in attendance to address any questions the Council may have <br />regarding benefit appraisals and appraisal consultations. <br />Outcome: <br />Staff requests Council direction to allow the draft Special Assessments Policy to be adopted in 2014. This will <br />allow Staff to complete the Garnet Street Reconstruction Feasibility Report and present it to Council for approval <br />on January 13, 2015, which in turn will allow plans and specifications to be approved and bid on March 24, 2015. <br />Attachments <br />Draft Special Assessment Policy <br />Higher Density Urban Residential Lots <br />Chapter 8 of City Charter <br />LMC Special Assessment Guide <br />Appendix B <br />Andover SAP <br />