Minutes - Council - 03/08/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Derryl Bell, 15140 Uranimite Street, Project 05-07, indicated Uranimite Street is not listed for an overlay, but all of the abutting streets of 150th through 154th are listed. He inquired if Uranimite will be overlaid as well. City Engineer Jankowski replied Uranimite Street is scheduled. He will check this after the hearing tonight. Matt Lueck, 6635 142n~ Avenue, Project 05-05, stated the issue for the Council today is the issue of assessinent on what can be deemed as a maintenance project. This is the second city they have lived in and never before has a precedent like this been addressed. There seems to be money in the budget for things like the new City Hall and Police Station, but not for things that need to be kept tip and maintained. He stated it never ceases to amaze him how City streets are financed by private dollars. It has been explained that this assessment addresses levy cutbacks from the state, but that is an issue for the state representatives and the City, not the residents. He stated they are representing another family this evening as well. They realize they can put together a petition to overrule this. He would like to express his disappointment in the language on the tail end of the letter that was sent out. The statement seems somewhat like extortion to say if the residents overrule this all the costs at a future date will be applied to the citizens. He stated this is unacceptable. Mayor Gamec explained a past Councilmember had wanted the comment included in the letter. The statement could probably be removed, but it is a true fact in the way things are done. He explained the Council has looked at putting these costs into the general maintenance fund, but levy limits were a factor in that. It actually works well the way it is currently run, and they receive citizen input. 50 percent of the cost is paid through the general fund and 50 percent is paid through assessments. Almost every Council has looked at putting this on the general tax levy as a maintenance item and has determined not to do that. This policy has been in effect since the first day of putting in blacktop streets. Mr. Lucck stated they own a house in Anoka where the streets are sealcoated almost every other year, and they have never received a letter to this effect. He understands Ramsey is a special situation because it is a charter city. He further understands with levy cutbacks there is a desire to increase service fees. As citizens they have the option to amend the charter and say any service fees to be implemented need to go before the general election. Councihnember Cook stated the assessment has always been at 50 percent. This would either be done through taxes or through an assessment. With it being done through an assessment it is looked at by the individual property. Mi'. Lucck stated the frustrating thing is that money is being spent on new City Halls and Fire Stations, but not for the things that need to be kept up. Those things will be born on the backs of 'the citizens. City Council/March 8, 2005 Page 10 of 18