Minutes - Council - 12/14/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion by Councilmember Musgrove, seconded by Councilmember Howell, to open the public hearing. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Kuzma, Councilmembers Musgrove, Howell, Heineman, Riley, Specht, Woestehoff. Voting No: None. Mayor Kuzma called the public hearing to order at 7:28 p.m. Councilmember Specht thanked Finance Director Lund for her hard work. He recognized Ms. Lund had many meetings to go over the numbers and proposals and he appreciated the hard work. Citizen Input Andre Champagne, 17421 Unicorn Street NW, stated that he received the publication The Ramsey Resident and found out that the street in front of his house, which needs repair, is going to be repaired eight years from now. He then received a proposed tax statement which indicates an 18% increase. He understands that funding is changing including a pavement fund, which he learned tonight, so it is not truly an 18% increase. He thanked the Council for their work and hoped that the latest iteration of the budget works as it allows the work needed to fix the streets. He noted that he has been in Ramsey for over 20 years and feels that the City has done a poor job of fixing the streets. He hopes the leadership of the Council has gotten it right to have streets fixed. He expressed frustration that he will have to wait another eight years to get his street fixed and felt priorities should change to address issues sooner. st Amanda Sherman, 8568 171 Avenue NW, referenced the Elk River school district and asked for clarification and if it is correct that the City cost is different based on the school district but school district cost is listed on the tax statement. She also asked how the City cost would be different. She explained she spoke to others who attend the Anoka-Hennepin school district and have a higher home value but are paying less City taxes from that one-line item. Finance Director Lund replied she would have to look at the tax statements. Ms. Sherman also asked about special assessments, there is a $24 charge, and questioned what that was for. Finance Director Lund replied it is an environmental fee for garbage that is on everyone’s taxes. She noted that on the County website, each line item is listed. Ms. Sherman stated her taxes have gone up $1,000 in the last four years and wondered if the taxes will continue to rise. Finance Director Lund responded by asking if it was a brand-new home. Ms. Sherman replied it was but the tax increases are more than she had planned on. She questioned if taxes will continue to rise every year. City Council / December 14, 2021 Page 6 of 19