Minutes - Council - 09/26/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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they talked about a 20-year flood and now they are talking about a 500-year flood which most people will not see. He stated that he understands that the City had to generate funds to handle these issues, but feels it is an unfair charge at this time. Mr. Vevea stated that he does not agree with the underhanded way that they received the charge on their utility bills and he strongly urged the Council to take action on stopping these charges and to complete a study on the unfairness of the way it is being billed and the actual cost. Charlotte Hanson, 5390 - 156th Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that not everyone subscribes to the Anoka Union, to know what is going on in the City and to have residents receive the charge on their utility bill before the edition of the Ramsey Resident was received explaining the "proposed" storm drainage utility was very unfair. She stated that she feels the City is "double dipping" by charging taxes and adding another assessment. Ms. Hanson explained that she reviewed the revenue of the City for 1998 and 1999, and the City spent 42 percent more in 1999 than they did in 1998, and she thinks that the City is trying to scramble for money any way they can to cover up their overspending. She stated that the City is charging for priority lighting, recycling, and now a storm drainage utility which is politically incorrect and has to stop. Wayne Davis, 6530 Green Valley Road NW, Ramsey, stated that it would have taken a three percent tax increase for the City to receive the funds needed to maintain the current storm drainage system. He explained that his City portion of taxes is $890, and the $6.00 storm drainage utility fee on his house would have been a three percent increase, but instead he receives a $4,600 storm drainage utility fee for the same parcel of land. He stated that what the business owners are pleading is that they don't mind paying their taxes, but they do have a problem paying a fee that is considerably higher than their annual City taxes. It seems as if the process did not happen right and he felt that the City 'needs to look at other options, including increasing overall taxes three percent. Mr. Davis noted that he is going through the process of filling out his credit application but wanted to make the point that the utility is wrong. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that, in some ways, he was surprised about the amount of anger over the utility. He explained that the Council really felt they were handling the issue in the fairest way possible because it would have been easy for the City to hide the cost in the overall tax. Mr. Davis replied that he thought the Council would be uPset too if their fees went up five times more than their taxes. He stated that Connexus put $150,000 into a storm drainage plan and inquired if they will receive $150,000 back. He explained that he was informed by the Public Works Committee that his best hope would be to receive a 50 percent credit, but only if he constructs a holding pond on his property. City Engineer Olson replied that Connexus will be returned the $150,000. Mr. Davis stated that the issue will become a legal issue because it is worth it for the business owner to hire attorneys to research the legality because the City of Ramsey will be setting precedet~t for other cities. Everyone drives down City streets and that is where the majority of City Council/September 26, 2000 Page 24 of 36