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Winslow Holasek, 1159 Andover Boulevard, Andover, stated that part of his tax statement <br />includes increased spending and other charges and inquired if those issues will be discussed <br />during the truth and taxation hearing. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied yes. <br /> <br />Ed Hamilton, 6650 Highway #10 NW, Ramsey, stated that the Council is doing a poor job of <br />informing the residents of what is going on at City Hall. He felt that the Council should <br />implement a better policy on informing residents because unless they attend the meetings they <br />don't know what is going on. <br /> <br />Curt Roble, 6631 - 155t~' Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that, on his Connexus bill, he received <br />City service charges that he does not agree with, suggesting that pretty soon the entire page will <br />be full of charges if the residents don't do something about it. He stated that he felt that the <br />charges were a creative way for the City to collect more money because all of these additional <br />charges should be paid out of the general fund. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied that all residents are permitted to review the budget. He explained that the <br />charges were added to the Connexus bill because it is the most equitable option of billing for <br />both the City and the residents. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he assumed that Mr. Roble was taking issue with storm <br />drainage utility and that he was a homeowner. He explained that the reason the charge was <br />added onto the utility bill is because the charge was based on the amount of runoff that is created <br />on the property, and if that had been done through the general fund, the cost would have been <br />assessed based on the value of the property. On average, each individual home would have paid <br />30 percent more if it had been handled through the general fund. <br /> <br />Mr. Roble replied that where he lives all the runoff goes down a street and into a pond, and the <br />City Engineer has indicated that the fee is being collected to deal with runoff. He questioned <br />what is going to stop the City from adding five or six more charges to the utility bills. <br /> <br />Councihnember Hendriksen stated that if there is a problem in the pond that his runoff drains to <br />every ten years, such as a beaver creating a dam that needs to be removed, then he would have <br />received his money's worth. <br /> <br />Mr. Robie inquired as to why street cleaning comes out of this fund. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson replied that this year street cleaning is coming out of the general fund, and it <br />will likely come out of the general fund in the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Roble stated that he understands why street cleaning is needed, but does not understand why <br />it would not be paid for out of the general fund. He questioned if the Council plans on adding <br />any additional charges. <br /> <br />City Council/November 14, 2000 <br /> Page 3 of 19 <br /> <br /> <br />