HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes October 27, 2005
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
City Council Meeting Minutes
October 27, 2005
Draft
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
October 27,2005
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present were Mayor Haugen, Councilmembers Fleming, LeMair, Petersen and Zieska, City Manager Boyles, Assistant City
Engineer Poppler, Finance Director Teschner, Assistant to the City Manager Meyer and Communication Coordinator Oster.
Consider Approval of a Resolution Adopting the Assessment Roll for Project 05.01 and 05.11 (Fish Point Road,
Fairlawn Shores Trail, Bluedorn Circle, Candy Cove Trail and Centennial Street Improvements)
City Manager Boyles reviewed history of the public hearing and the direction of the Council to have this item reviewed by
the special assessment committee.
Zieska reviewed the discussion of the special assessment committee meeting held October 26. He noted the calculation
for arriving at the indirect costs of special assessments was discussed and the committee believes the indirect costs are
justified. He explained that the committee also reviewed the apportionment of costs, particularly the restoration costs of
utility installation. Current Council policy does not allow for the charge of the additional restoration of extra damage caused
by utility work and the committee is recommending the special assessment should be reduced by the amount that can be
directly attributable to utility construction.
Comments:
LeMair: Assessments need to remain the same, if costs need to be reallocated, then they should be. In favor of supporting
the committee's recommendation.
Petersen: Agrees with committee's recommendation. The proposed reductions are justified.
Fleming: Clarified the amount of the original assessment and asked if there is risk of perception of inequity to residents
who experienced previous projects.
Teschner: Affirmed that there could be that perception, and explained that in the past the method for breaking out assess-
able portions did not charge the restoration to the utility fund. The committee recommends this practice would be brought
forward to future projects.
leMair: Asked if policy was incorrect before.
Teschner: Replied that it was the methodology used to assign the utilities costs and construction elements for putting in
sewer, water, hydrant hookups, etc. Because the street has always incurred restoration, those costs were joined together
and assigned to sewer and gutter to keep down the cost to enterprise fund. Utility rates are structured to pay for replace-
ment. Restoration was always treated consistently, but utilities increase the cost of restoration and we are establishing
new procedures going forward.
Zieska: Reminded that indirect costs were looked at closely and, over time, it has resulted in a lower percentage of the
total cost. This time the committee took a hard look at the restoration costs to come up with this recommendation to change
the method of allocating costs.
Haugen: Believes that for consistency and fairness, no changes would be warranted if there was not a reason. Council
directed staff and committee to identify any areas that could be appropriately modified going forward and the recommenda-
tions have been stated appropriately. It is consistent to move forward on the 60/40 split for assessments, and there is a
basis for this proposed modification.
Teschner: Council will receive updated information in the Weekly Update with an article recently published about suburban
infrastructure repairs that are needed and the variable ways that other communities assess for the costs.
Haugen: Reminded residents of the appeal process and timeline if they choose to pursue that process.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY FLEMING AND SECONDED BY PETERSEN TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 05-178
ADOPTING THE ASSESSMENT ROll FOR PROJECT 05-01 AND 05-11 (FISH POINT ROAD, FAIRLAWN SHORES
TRAil, BLUEDORN CIRCLE, CANDY COVE TRAil AND CENTENNIAL STREET IMPROVEMENTS)
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Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245
City Council Meeting Minutes
October 27, 2005
Draft
VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Fleming, LeMair, Petersen and Zieska. The motion carried.
Teschner: Noted that a new statement would be mailed to the residents and identified the timeline for receiving it and mak-
ing payment.
ADJOURNMENT
With no other comments from Council members, a motion to adjourn was made by Fleming and seconded by Petersen.
With all in favor, the meeti adjourned.
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