Minutes - Council - 11/12/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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comments, suggestions or questions prior to the public hearing on December 10, 1996. No formal action is required. Councilmember Peterson arrived at 7:55 p.m. City Attorney Goodrich read the alternate language and Section 5: Section 4, Subd. 1: "Previously functional private sewer and/or water systems shall be deemed non-functional if a repair of either system constitutes more than 50 percent of the fair market value of the repaired system." Section 4, Sub& 3: "The alternate to Subd. 3 states, "An existing home which is serviced by a non-functional sewer and/or water system shall be required to connect to the City's sewer system if the home's sewer system is non-functional or connect to the City's water system if the home's water system is non-functional. The connection date shall be within six months of the date on which the system was declared non-functional." Section 5: "Upon the sale or transfer of title of a home by a property owner who elected to remain on a functional private sewer and/or water system, and whose property was therefore not assessed for City utilities, the City may levy an assessment on said property in an amount consistent with the original assessment." Mr. Wayne Olson, 5830 151 st Street NW, expressed his concern for the three residents on 151 st Street. This charge will add a cost of approximately $24,000 if they do not elect to hook up for the next 10 years. That is one-fourth the cost of the original cost of the system and would not be consistent with the original assessment. The City has chosen to call this a utility franchise fee, but it does increase the cost of obtaining City sewer and water when residents do decide to hook up. The issue is not a matter of not opting to hook up. Residents want to be able to hook up to City utilities when they choose because many have spent a lot of money for private systems, and they want to get some use from them. It is not fight for the City to change the Charter and try to find things to charge citizens. Mr. Rick Christianson, 7330 155th Avenue, requested that information be sent to citizens regarding the fact that the Council is amending a Charter that was voted in to have a $64 charge for services that will not be received. Mayor Hardin stated that the proposed amendment to Chapter 8 of the Charter will be available for anyone who wishes to see it. It has been on the agenda a number of times for the past several months. City Council/November 12, 1996 Page 10 of 15