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Mayor Gamec replied as Ramsey has grown, the City has much stronger ordinances and rules, <br />and better inspections. <br /> <br />Assistant Public Works Director Olson indicated the City's specifications have been modified. <br /> <br />Mr. Clark questioned who inspects the material. <br /> <br />Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied there are two inspectors and the Council just <br />approved one mom technician for next year. Northem Technologies will be doing the testing for <br />this project. <br /> <br />Annette Hillebregt, 5840 - 160th Lane NW, stated their road is a raceway. She asked if it is <br />possible with this project to get sidewalks for the safety of their children. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied the residents would need to come in to the City with a petition to install <br />sidewalks. The sidewalks become a major battle because some residents do not want them. The <br />cost would be assessed at 100%. <br /> <br />Ms. Hillebregt explained there is a sidewalk right up to them with the new developments, and <br />there is a big gap between them and the park. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied there will be a trail in this area going all the way to the park. <br /> <br />Tim Kruger, 9331 Ermine Boulevard, inquired if the culvert with reoccurring sink holes can be <br />re-engineered before the road is repaved. <br /> <br />Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied staff is aware of the sink holes and is planning on <br />taking off the top of that culvert. This will not be assessed to the property owners; all the <br />residents of Ramsey pay a stormwater utility fee for the City to maintain the drainage and <br />stormwater culverts. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated several comments were made about the taxation in Ramsey. The <br />Council spent a lot of time looking at the taxation of the citizens. The City has put in about <br />$400,000 in roadway improvements and repairs this year, which is up approximately $200,000 <br />from two years ago because they could afford to do that this year. Four years ago the tax <br />capacity rate was at 41 ½%, it was approximately 37% last year, and is about 38.2% this year. <br />The City is building a new City Hall, a downtown, and will have more police and fire staff with a <br />tax capacity rate that is lower than it was four years ago. That is a fabulous way to manage <br />money. With the discussion of taxes, no one talked about how they can now sell their house for <br />more than they purchased it because home values are going up. That is something the City does <br />not control; it is controlled by the state and the county. The tax capacity rate in Ramsey is down <br />2 ½% in the last three years on top of all the things they have added to the City, as well as <br />hopefully some better road maintenance. <br /> <br />Mayor Garnet directed staff to look into the sink hole at the culvert between Neon Street and <br />Highway 47 under Ditch 56, as well as the lower area between Osmium Street and Neon Street <br /> <br />City Council / January 24, 2006 <br />Page 9 of 22 <br /> <br /> <br />