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communities. Communities with lower densities and less connections per linear foot of pipe are likely to pay a <br />higher per unit (residential) or per acre (commercial). The City has been consistently updating Comprehensive <br />Water and Sewer Plans every 5 years to ensure that our fees are as close to median as possible. Funding is a balance <br />of Development Fees paid by Developers based on new demand created as well as quarterly user fees paid by end <br />user. <br />Due to our development pattern, our sewer and water fees appear to be slightly to the high end of median, but within <br />median when comparing other developing communities with similar development patterns. <br />Stormwater Management Fees <br />The City has certain stormwater maintenance obligations on long range plans. This system ensures that residents <br />and business owners do not generally experience unexpected flooding issues on their property. This fee pays for the <br />construction of regional stormwater infrastructure that conveys rainfall runoff to area water bodies with acceptable <br />water quality. <br />Cash In Lieu of Tree Preservation <br />The City instituted this fee within the past few years and it has only been collected once. The intent of this fee is to <br />provide an option for Developers that are clearing an entire site of significant trees with little to no replacement on <br />the new Landscape Plan. The City's Tree Preservation Ordinance was first adopted approximately 15-20 years ago <br />in response to community feedback on wholesale clearcutting in a major residential neighborhood. It was updated <br />within the past 5 years. The Tree Preservation Ordinance only kicks in at a certain threshold, and standard <br />landscape requirements count towards the replacement requirement. As stated above, this only kicks in with major <br />tree removal with little to no replacement on site. <br />This fee is seldom collected and somewhat unique to Ramsey. There are other communities that do similar fees, but <br />not an extremely common fee. <br />SURETIES/FINANCIAL GUARANTEE <br />The City requires a financial guarantee to ensure the timely completion of required improvements, both public and <br />private. This has been an important tool for local municipalities to ensure projects are not left incomplete. This is <br />extremely common for public improvements, and receives little objection from Developers. This is common for <br />private improvements as well, but to a much lesser amount. The City requires that this surety is in the form of cash <br />or Letter of Credit. <br />Public Improvements <br />City Code requires a surety in the amount of 125% of the Engineer's Estimate. This provides a contingency as is <br />commonplace with most capital improvement projects. Staff does not recommend any changes to this requirement, <br />other than to tighten up the reduction/release process. <br />The need for tighter policies became evident during the mid-2000s recession. There were a number of projects with <br />public improvements that were left incomplete with no remaining financial guarantee. This had an impact on the <br />General Fund and other City Funds in order to complete public improvements. <br />Private Improvements <br />City Code requires a surety in the amount of 150% of the Engineer's Estimate for private improvements for <br />commercial and industrial projects, including apartments. The City has discretion to identify which improvements <br />are required by City Code and does not need to collect based on the entire project. The City has routinely exercised <br />this discretion to ensure that the City is not collecting a surety larger than what is needed. Common issues with <br />completion include, but are not limited to, paving, curbing, grading/erosion control and landscaping. Unlike public <br />improvements, the City is not likely to step into a project and complete private improvements. Of key importance, <br />