Agenda - Council - 09/22/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Observations: Anoka County requires that assessments be certified to the County Auditor by the end of November for collection on next year's taxes. This deadline will be met by conducting the Assessment Hearing at the October 13th City Council meeting, which will also allow adequate time for the publication and mailing of notices as required per Minnesota State Statute Chapter 429. Alternatives: Alternative Action #1 — Motion to adopt Resolution #15-09-229 ordering the preparation of an assessment roll and calling for an Assessment Hearing for Jarvis Street Reconstruction & Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements; Improvement Project 15-20. Alternative Action #2 — Motion to deny adoption of Resolution #15-09-229 at this time. Funding Source: This improvement project is listed in the City's current 5 -year Capital Improvement Plan and is proposed to be funded using a mix of Public Improvement Revolving (PIR) funds, special assessments, and stormwater utility funds. The total estimated cost participation for the City of Ramsey for this project is $575,779.22 which accounts for 50% of the costs to reconstruct the shared segment of Jarvis Street, and 50% of the costs to complete required railroad crossing quiet zone improvements including moving the railroad crossing arms and extending the width of the crossing surface which must be completed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). It should be noted that the JPA does not identify specific costs, but rather obligates the City of Ramsey to funding 50% of the identified project improvements. However, the JPA also obligates the City of Elk River to paying the City of Ramsey's share of the project costs up -front with an interest-free payback period of 3 -years for calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018. Per the City's adopted Special Assessments Policy, special assessments amounting to 25% of applicable street reconstruction project costs are targeted for reconstruction projects. However, based on the existing large lot sizes and property frontages, the preliminary special assessments were set at $4,500 per lot which totals $45,000 based on assessments being applied to all 10 single-family residential properties having direct access to the shared segment of Jarvis Street. This amount was selected based on input received from a certified real estate appraiser. Since such time, the City Council approved the preparation of a special assessment benefit appraisal consultation for this project to verify that the special assessment would not exceed the benefit to affected properties. Based on the final special benefit consultation report, it is anticipated that properties benefiting from the improvements and proposed to be assessed will be enhanced in value by approximately $7,500 to $8,000 per property. Staff will address the discrepancy between the preliminary special assessments amount and the anticipated property value enhancement identified in the special benefit consultation report during the Assessment Hearing on October 13th. Recommendation: Staff recommends Alternative Action #1. Action: Adopt Resolution #15-09-229 ordering the preparation of an assessment roll and calling for an Assessment Hearing for Jarvis Street Reconstruction & Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone Improvements; Improvement Project 15-20. Figure 1 Res 15-09-229 Attachments Form Review