Minutes - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2007

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development connect to the north. Chairperson Elvig expressed concern regarding the development having changed hands and the possibility of the new developer not having been informed about the connection by the previous developer. Chairperson Elvig directed staff to contact the Rum River Meadows developer within the next weel( regarding the road connection. Further discussion: Councilmember Olson indicated cost estimates would need to include the cost to buy the lot, prepare the lot, put in the foundation and all the utilities, connect the house to the foundation, put in the driveway, and reattach the deck. City Engineer Janl(owski indicated the Council case will include the most conservative estimate of what it will cost to expose of the house. City Engineer Jankowsl(i indicated in tall(ing to the house mover, he received a price to move the house to a new foundation, and the other option was to just sell the house to the mover. He will prepare the Council case with both of these figures. Councilmember Dehen stated this might be a great opportunity for a young couple that otherwise would not be able to afford as much of a house. They could put in some sweat equity in the yard and do their own decl(. It might afford someone a great opportunity with a minimal expense to the City. Chairperson Elvig indicated he would like to add the following additional thoughts to the motion and direction that has been given. Staff should check into the issue of taxes so that Mr. Hendrickson is not required to pay a higher tax due to the additional property and corner lot. This could be an issue of hardship. There should also be consideration of the requirement for Mr. Hendrickson to irrigate the additional property and maintain it. These types of costs should be taken into account in the future when tall(ing with developers about things such as putting through connections. Further discussion: Mr. Hendrickson stated there has not been any discussion of the lift station in front of his property that would be abandoned if this moves forward. There is a lot of landscaping that goes with the lift station, and if the lift station is not needed anymore the landscaping will not lil(ely be needed. He would like to see this addressed. He stated he would lil(e to know how he is to proceed with this and how to mal(e sure his concerns are being met. He does not want the road put through. He would rather see someone move into that house and not have to deal with all this. He is trying to mal(e the best of it, but wants to be sure his property and his interests are taken into consideration. Chairperson Elvig stated the Committee has heard Mr. Hendrickson's concerns. He does not want to see them disregarded and would help Mr. Hendricl(son follow through with some of this. There is a City policy that requires things to be put back to the original condition if something is removed from a resident's yard, and all of this can be worked through. He explained this Committee is a recommending body to the City Council. There is a lot of money involved with this and it is possible that this may stumble. Mr. Hendrickson will want to make his points known to the City Council at the meeting next Tuesday. There is personal perseverance Mr. Hendricl(son needs to maintain, but the Committee will watch this as well. Interim City Administrator Nelson commented this is a lot to flesh out in a matter of a few days. City Engineer Janl(owsl(i indicated he has been given direction as to what should be done with disposal of the house; he believes the estimates should be fine with the $10,000 he included for contingencies. Chairperson Elvig stated they are lil(ely as close as they can get with estimates without actually pursuing the purchase. Councilmember Public Works Committee / March 20, 2007 Page 8 of 14