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Mr. Peterson stated that he is only claming that there are other watershed districts that assess for <br />storm drainage projects and they could be assessed as part of that process. <br /> <br />Councihnember Hendriksen replied that it could be possible to assess a project that would be in <br />common interest between cities, but it would not be a major project. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson explained that the charge is strictly for the maintenance and operation of the <br />existing system. The utility will not be used for the installation of new pipes or the construction <br />of new developments, those facilities will still be paid for by the developer. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson inquired if the City intends to give credit for money already spent. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson replied that the City will give a credit for facilities that exist on the property <br />that meet the credit criteria. <br /> <br />Tom Snell, Director of North Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Mayor and the Council for <br />allowing time to discuss the issue. He stated that he is concerned that the utility will have a <br />dramatic impact on their ability to do business in the City. He questioned if the Cits; of Ramsey <br />is cleaning any of the ditches or facilities owned by Anoka County and if they are, is the County <br />responsible for cleaning their own ditches. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson replied that the storm drainage utility budget does include some projects <br />that would correct county ditches that are draining onto City property. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman stated that the City sought out a legal opinion regarding the issue of <br />who is responsible for maintaining County ditches and did receive a legal opinion from Charlie <br />LaFevre approximately three years ago. He explained that the law is very archaic and the County <br />does not have the ability to clean the ditches. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec explained that the City has been addressing the issue for some time and there is <br />nothing that could be done. <br /> <br />Steve Franta, Canvas Craft, 7815 Riverdale Drive NTM, Ramsey, stated that he is not interested in <br />paying any additional assessment on his property. That seems to be unfair after already paying a <br />sewer fee that was required by the City when he put on his recent addition to his building. He <br />explained that lie has never seen any more than six inches of water in a ditch in six years of being <br />in the City. Mr. Franta stated that the way the City "slipped" the fee onto the Connexus bill was <br />a very underhanded way of notifying the businesses. <br /> <br />Bemerd Vevea, Ve-Ve Incorporated, stated that he has been a business owner for the last 27 <br />years in tim City of Ramsey and has had run-off from the streets onto his property and he already <br />has holding ponds on his property. He explained that the nature of the soil in most of Ramsey is <br />sand where most of the water disappears immediately. When they discussed the issue years ago, <br /> <br />City Council/September 26, 2000 <br /> Page 23 of 36 <br /> <br /> <br />