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Richard Krueger, 7640 150t~' Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that he lives in the Greenwood Hills <br />subdivision and that they were going to have one person speak for the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Trudi Matilla, 7451 149th Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that it was her understanding that the City <br />chose to charge the assessments by units rather than frontage. <br /> <br />Principal City Engineer Olson replied that that was correct. <br /> <br />Ms. Mattilla inquired if there were any other options. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied that the City has always charged assessments by units. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich noted that from a legal standpoint any basis is acceptable as long as it is <br />equal and uniform. <br /> <br />Ms. Matilla stated that the City is using the same policy that was adopted in the late 70's and <br />Ramsey has changed considerable since that time. She stated that it appeared that the current <br />property owners are paying for property that is being proposed to be developed because it is only <br />one parcel. Bright Keys is proposing a development on their street and they have over 40 acres <br />and the proposal has at least 10 units facing their street yet they are being assessed for only one <br />unit. She felt that the current residents were being assessed for the development. Menkfeld <br />Trust is not paying any assessment even though they still own the property. The City is <br />proposing an assessment of $771.90 per parcel and if they were to add the ten units being <br />proposed as part of the Bright Keys development the assessment would be reduced by $50.00. <br />Ms. Matilla stated that with all the development occurring in the City of Ramsey she did not <br />think it made sense to go by a policy established in the 70's. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson noted that the street maintenance program deals with existing streets. <br />With any new development the developer will have to pay the entire cost of constructing new <br />streets. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he recalled a similar situation when the Haubrich <br />Addition work was being done. He explained that the assessments were being calculated one <br />way and then for the sake of fairness a different method was used. He thought they went from <br />using the per unit basis to a per foot assessment. He stated that that was at least one instance <br />where they have done it in both ways. <br /> <br />Principal City Engineer Olson noted that the Haubrich Addition project was a sewer and water <br />project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kurak stated that there are several problems with the current policy. She <br />explained that there are many homes in Ramsey that access onto county roads so they don't have <br />to pay anything for street improvements, which she felt was inequitable. She did not think they <br />were prepared to change the policy at this time, but she stated that she would like to see a more <br /> <br />City Council/September 24, 2002 <br /> Page 6 of 33 <br /> <br /> <br />