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

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the storm sewer water is from and for that reason he felt that there is no fairer way to handle this than to increase City taxes. He explained that he already drains a lot of Green Valley Road onto his property and has spent a lot of money to route that water back to the wetlands on his property because the County did not want to do the work. City Engineer Olson explained that if Mr. Davis were to petition the City to do the project that is where the storm drainage utility funds would go. Mr. Davis stated that he wants to pay his taxes, but believes strongly, as well as a lot of other people, that the additional cost should be included on their City taxes. Mayor Gamec noted that if the additional cost was added as an increase to property taxes would not mean that the taxes would only go up three percent. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired if taxes were increased to cover the costs for storm drainage maintenance would the funds in the TIF districts go to the City. City Administrator Norman replied no, explaining that those funds would go into the TIF fund. He also noted that tax exempt properties do not pay property taxes, but do pay the storm drainage utility fee. , Mr. Davis replied that tax exempt properties should not have to pay because they are tax exempt for a reason. Jeff Uecker, 17121 Variolite Street NW, Ramsey, stated that the City is shifting costs from undeveloped areas to developed areas. He inquired as to how much money will be spent out in the rural areas because to him it seemed as if the rural residents will be subsidizing for the rest of the City. In essence, it appears that the City is raising taxes. Over the past five years the recycling fee has continued to be increased and he is concerned that there is no control over the fee and questioned what will happen with the storm drainage utility fee over the next few years. Mayor Gamec explained that one of the largest problems for the City is ditches and if the City wants to continue to allow septic systems then the ditches have to be cleaned because there are situations where ditches are backing up into fields and have had close calls with septic systems. Mr. Uecker suggested that, in the future, the City handle the situation in a better manner. He felt that if the City would have explained the utility before it was adopted, a lot of the difficulties and anger could have been dealt with. When he listened to the cable program discussing the utility there seemed to be a lot of confusion amongst the Councilmembers and for as much time that was supposedly spent on the issue he felt the Council should have a better understanding on the impact the fee would have on the residents and businesses. Mayor Gamec apologized for the way that the public was made aware of the utility. City Council/September 26, 2000 Page 25 of 36