Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/08/2024

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Councilmember Riley stated he is concerned with it saying all invoices and all past due amounts as sometimes things are questioned and payments are delayed. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby explained that this would just be for the annual assessment. Councilmember Riley said he would like this language to be clarified. Councilmember Musgrove shared that she does not think they have ever had an increase as high as 20%. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby stated that there was a year in the past where the fees did go up significantly which was due to trying to get more funds in a plan. Councilmember Woestehoff asked who sets the assessment amount. Mayor Kuzma said it was set by the Board Members of the WMO. Councilmember Woestehoff stated that having a cap makes sense and he does not have an issue with the cap being set at 120% of the previous year's assessment. Councilmember Musgrove shared that in the Board's yearly budget, they set aside money in reserves ahead of time. She said this will help keep increases to a level where it is manageable for every city and this acts as a safeguard. Councilmember Woestehoff asked what the City's current assessment amount is. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby stated it is around $65,000 and it comes from the stormwater funds. Councilmember Musgrove added that it is based on a formula of how many projects a city does. Mayor Kuzma noted that Ramsey has a majority of the frontage of the Lower Mississippi River. Councilmember Riley asked if there is a calculation that takes into account the amount of river frontage in a city. Mayor Kuzma said it is calculated by population. Councilmember Woestehoff asked if one-half of 1% of their net tax capacity will meet the needs of the district. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby said he does not know. Councilmember Woestehoff stated they should figure this out before agreeing to it. City Council Work Session/October 8, 2024 Page 2 of 9