Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 08/27/1992 - Committee of the WholeCOMMITTEE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AUGUST 27, 1992 The Committee Meeting of the Whole was called to order by Mayor Busse on Thursday, August 27, 1992 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Room of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Donahue, Locke, Lieder, Adams, Serritella, Patterson. Absent: Smith. City Staff in attendance: City Clerk Gilpin, City Administrator Peterson, City Attorney Narusis, Director of Public Works Batt. Absent: Chief Joyce, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito. The purpose of the Committee Meeting of the Whole was to conduct a meeting to answer questions from the residents of the Country Club Estates Subdivision on the possibility of installing sanitary sewers to service that area. Approximately 45 people were in attendance. Director of Public Works Batt presented a slide presentation which outlined benefits of sanitary sewer installation, projected costs basis, preliminary project cost estimate, highlights of Special Assessment financing, and Special Service Area financing. City Administrator Peterson stated that a letter had been sent to the residents of Country Club Estates Subdivision on August 13, 1992 which described the project and relevant factors in determining final costs to residents. The following questions were asked by those in attendance: About the time frame -frame, when would the project start, and when would it be completed? Answer: It would probably start next summer and be completed in 90-120 days. Does a corner lot pay more than other lots? Answer: It depends on the financing method used. Special Assessment is done on a per lot basis, and Special Service Area is done on the linear, or per foot basis. Is there a difference in costs for legal fees between the Special Service Area and the Special Assessment Method? Answer: Special Assessment is the higher cost method. The Special Service Area costs 5-40% less for legal work. Is there a mandatory time limit when we would be required to connect to ,this sewer system? Answer: The current ordinance says you must connect within one year after you receive notice from the City to do so. There is leeway in that you do not have to connect unless you are given notice by the City. However, whenever there is a septic problem on individual lots, notice would be given to them immediately. What are the aspects of the two different financing methods? Answer: On the Special Service Area Method, a Public Hearing must be held for all of the residents in the Special Service Area where certain legal requirements are presented . Within 60 days after that Hearing, people have the opportunity to file a petition objecting to the Special Service Area Method. If 51% of the registered voters and 51% of the owners file a petition objecting to the project, the project is vetoed and cannot be brought up again for two years. Both the Special Service Area, and the Special Assessment Method are initiated by the City Council. In the case of Special Assessments, there is no veto authority by the area to be serviced. Even if 100% were opposed to it, the City Council could still proceed legally to establish a Special Assessment. In the case of the Special Service Area, a petition to object constitutes a veto if you have the right number of signatures. Who makes the decision whether it goes Special Service Area or Special Assessment? Answer: The decision is made by the City Council. If construction does not start until summer or fall of next year, isn't that going to affect the cost of construction and the interest rates that are low now and would be more advantageous to the homeowners? Answer: We are out of the construction season right now. Costs probably would not change that much if the project is done within the next year. What are the pipes on our property required to be, cast iron, PVC, or what? Answer: PVC, vitrified clay, but not cast iron. August 27, 1992 Page 2 How does the Commmunity Reinvestment Act(CRA) fit into this program for those people who are short of money? Answer: It's questionable whether it has any impact. CRA is a national law, and consequently it tries to focus on institutions to go out into the community and perceive what the credit needs of the community are. If there was some individual in this community that needs financing, probably every institution in this community would consider that request, but CRA does not specifically address this project. Would the City consider resurfacing the streets after the sewers are installed? Answer: The City has nev2r had a road Special Assessment in its history. Those streets are repaired in the normal course of the summer road maintenance programs done annually to those streets most in need of repair. Motor Fuel Tax Funds are used for this type project. The road resurfacing project would not be a part of the sewer installation project. They would be two separate projects. Damage done to the roads during sewer construction would be repatched until the time when the streets could be completely resurfaced. A better job of paving can be done if the disturbed ground is allowed to settle for a period of time instead of doing it immediately. Which financing method takes longer to implement? Answer: Special Assessment takes much longer. On the ballots that will be going out to the homeowners, could there be a place where the homeowner could state his preference as to the method of financing he prefers --Special Assessment or Special Service Area? Answer: That can be done. So as not to prolong this project further, will there be a relatively short deadline for those ballots to be returned? Answer: Yes. There being no further questions, the meeting was adjourned. Motion by Adams, seconded by Patterson, to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Donahue, Lieder, Locke, Adams, Patterson, Serritella. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Smith. Motion carried. The Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.