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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9K - Street Assessments INTRODUCTION: DISCUSSION: STAFF AGENDA REPORT APRIL 1,2002 9K RALPH TESCHNER, FINANCE DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE SECTION 701.600 TO DELETE ASSESSMENT FOR STREET OVERLAY IMPROVEMENTS The purpose for the proposed ordinance change is to amend the street assessment policy provision within the city code to be consistent with the City's new policy of not assessing for street overlay improvements. Last year the City Council appropriated $100,000.00 within the street department of the 2002 General Fund operating budget for a street overlay program. The direction given by the Council was to aggressively mill and overlay those streets that have been installed to a higher standard and presently have concrete curb and gutter in place. Also, the City would gradually increase this funding .level over time to prevent excessive deterioration to those streets identified by the city's pavement management program. The current amount can overlay approximately 1 mile of streets. Overlaying is a very inexpensive and effective maintenance measure that can prevent future road reconstruction that can run as high as 4 to 5 times more costly than a bituminous overlay. The intent of the Council was that street overlaying would no longer be assessed 40% and instead would be covered as an annual operating expenditure within the street department budget. Street reconstruction would continue to be assessed on complete street replacement improvements that require the installation of concrete curb and gutter. As stated presently in the City Code under Section 701.603 of the Street Overlay Assessment Policy, all street overlay and reconstruction improvements are to be assessed at forty percent (40%) of the total project cost against the benefited properties. Under the proposed change in the attached ordinance, simply stated all reference to the word "Overlay" would be replaced by "Reconstruction" thereby eliminating the assessment requirement for street overlays. Also included in the ordinance amendment is another housekeeping item which is the deletion of paragraph (2) Seal Coating Street Improvements under Section 701.603 of the City Code. Seal coating has been incorporated for several years as a general maintenance H: IASSESSlAgendaassessord,DOC 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER expense within the street budget that has been contracted out under a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Bumsville and other area cities. Because this expense is supported by the General Fund budget no special1evy is required. RECOMMENDATION: Staff would recommend adoption of An Ordinance Amending Prior Lake City Code Section 701.600 To Delete Assessment For Street Overlay Improvements. This would provide a twofold benefit by deleting the special assessment cost to the benefited property owner and eliminating the need to bond and incur financing and interest costs associated with overlay and seal coating of our streets. ACTION REQUIRED: REVIEWED BY: Attachments: 1. An Ordinance Amending Prior Lake City Code Section 701.600 To Delete Assessment For Street Ov~lay Improvements H: IASSESSlAgendaassessord,DOC CITY OF PRIOR LAKE ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 701.600 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE TO DELETE ASSESSMENT FOR STREET OVERLAY IMPROVEMENTS The City Council of the City of Prior Lake does hereby ordain: 1. Section 701.600 of the Prior Lake City Code is hereby amended only as set forth below: 701.600: Street Overl3Y Reconstruction Assessment Policy 701.602 Definitions. Street Overl3ying Reconstruction: A street improvement whereby a ne'N bed of road material such as bituminous is installed over an existing bituminous paved road to a specific thickness or Complete maG street reconstruction if the condition of the existing bituminous paved road has deteriorated to a state whereby repair is no longer determined to be economically feasible. 701.603 Assessment Policy (1) Street Overlay, Curb and Reconstruction Improvements: Street overlay, curb and reconstruction improvements of presently paved streets in the City shall be assessed at forty percent (40%) of the total project cost against the benefited properties. The remaining sixty percent (60%) of the project cost shall be paid from general ad valorem property taxes. (2) Seal Coating Street Improvements: Seal coating street improvements shall be troated as a general maintenance expense which shall be entirely supported by the property . taxes through a specbllevy spread over the entire City. This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage and publication. Passed by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake on April 1, 2002. ATTEST: City Manager Mayor h:\assess\ordinanceassessment.doc Page I 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. 5.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER )ent By: PRIMERA CORPj 4756905; Apr-1-0212:35PMj Page 2/2 Dear City Council: I am unable to attend the council meeting, but as a member of the Pike Lake neighborhood, I do want my voice heard regarding the proposed Wensman townhome development off Pike Lake Trail. I feel the Planning Commission's decision to allow this project to go forward with minimal changes is compromising too much. First of all, the commission was split three to two on allowing the number of townhomes proposed. Two of the commissioners felt that the number of town homes should be reduced for both aesthetic and practical reasons. I strongly agree that we should not crowd sixty..five townhomes into this fairly small space, Adding that manyresidents to an already busy road, with no traffic light at the intersection of Pike Lake and 42, sounds like a recipe for disaster. This does not help our community at all -- only the developer. Secondly, the commission agreed to overlook the requirement that Class I materials be used. Normally, this 'is required but was waived at the request of the developer to keep the price of the units as low as possible. However, a significant price disparrty between these townhomes and nearby housing already exists. The starting price of $140K for the townhomes is in sharp contrast to the $250K+ housing next to it. I would like to see this differential decreased to protect home values, particularly since the developer stated that going to the Class I materials would only add $3K to $4K to each unit. . By reducing the number of townhomes and improving the materials used, we can achieve something that will fit better into the existing neighborhood, and something of which our community can be proud. I request that this letter be read as part of the public record. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Kevin Ulland 4560 Embassy Circle NE Prior Lake, MN 55372