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<br />Case ~2: Statement By Commissioner. Isak.son Re~ardin~ Public Utilities:
<br />
<br />Commissioner Isakson made the following statements:
<br />
<br />"As a member of the Ad Hoc Advisory Commitee, and as an interested citizen,
<br />I attended the Public Hearing on February 8, 1983. I recognize that the purpose
<br />of the Committee and the proposed ordinance' was to recommend policy to pay for
<br />public improvements, if they are needed. The policies should not, in my
<br />opinion, be viewed either as a vehicle for or justification for "forcing"
<br />improvements into an area -- residential, commercial, or industrial. Ramsey
<br />is lucky in that we did have this opportunity to plan before major improvement
<br />projects are initiated. The hearing was held to educate and receive input from
<br />the public on the proposed policy. How well that was done is debatable.
<br />
<br />I am concerned that the general feeling is that, with the .adoption of this
<br />proposed ordinance, the planning is completed. Yes, we have planned, in
<br />general, how to pay the contractors, bonding agents, engineers, etc. for
<br />building the projects, but ... what about ~perating and maintaining the systems.
<br />As soon as the first sewer lateral is hooked up, we're in the sewer billing
<br />business. As soon as the first well is in and operating, we're in the water
<br />business -- operating pumphOuses, chemical feedequipment, flushing lines,
<br />thawing and repairing.frozen lines. Who is going to do the billing? Are we
<br />planning, or will we need to have a sewer and water superintendent? If
<br />improvements go in, should we anticipate a s~bstanial'impact on'devblopment
<br />that will require added police staff? Will existing or potential industries
<br />to be provided with sewer andwater "demand" city fire protection? Granted,
<br />"development" may start slowly, but let's not ignore the potential impacts on
<br />i~creased city staffing which, whether a person has sewer or water or not, is
<br />reflected in local taxes.
<br />
<br />I am also concerned that at least the citizens who attended the hearing are
<br />convinced that they won't see the impacts of sewer and water for "many years."
<br />The potential impacts could be felt sooner than perceived. With developers
<br />holding on to heretofore undveloped lands, they (I expect) see the advent of
<br />sewer and water as the mechanism to finally develop their property, sell lots
<br />and, hopefully, make some money. I am no~ faulting them for that. But, it is
<br />my guess that the wheels are already turning for more than one such area in
<br />the City. The City Engineer and Mayor both said,' at the hearing, that work
<br />on sewer in Ramsey could, theoretically, begin in April -- that's only 5
<br />weeks away! Even if the first improvements occur in non-existing residential
<br />areas or even commercial/i~dustrial areas, the impact could be felt .by everyone
<br />in Ramsey in the form of increased taxes to support an increased staff to
<br />manage, operate and maintain the new system.
<br />
<br />I hope my point is coming across. We must evaluate the potential impact of
<br />managing, operating and maintaining these improvements not only for specific
<br />project areas but also for the City at large. I recognize that some of these'
<br />issues can be addressed in more detail in the feasibility study stage; but,
<br />let us not fall into the trap of leaving everything to be evaluated in the
<br />feasibility study... After all, how many feasibility studies have ever
<br />recommended a project as not being feasible?
<br />
<br />If all we do is to plan for a method of financing the construction of improve-
<br />ments, we are, in my opinion, only satisfying a part of our responsibilities
<br />to the citizens we were elected or appointed to serve. Before making decisions
<br />of lasting impact and importance, we owe it to the City to know what we are
<br />getting ourselves into."
<br />
<br />Sp P & Z/February 15, 1983
<br /> Page 3 of 4
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