HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 09-25-2007 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
September 25, 2007
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on September 18, 2007.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Stein, Murdock, Black, Bildsoe, and
Willis.
ABSENT: Councilmember Hewitt.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, City Attorney Knutson, Administrative Services
Director McGann, Public Works Director Cote, City Engineer Moberg, and City Clerk Engdahl.
Discussion of Special Assessment Policy
Public Works Director Cote and Administrative Services Director McGann discussed the draft
Special Assessment Policy.
l Ned Dau and John Silbaugh from the Hawthorne Ponds reconstruction project expressed their
fnistrations that when they petitioned for their project, the City assessed "up to 30%." Currently,
the City assesses 40% of the project cost, rather than "up to" 40%. They also noted the
following figures for this project:
1. City projected $3.8 million cost for this project.
2. City is assessing $1.5 million to property owners.
3. Project will now cost $1.8 million.
They asked if the approximately $2.2 million that the City appropriated, which is now savings,
could be given to the property owners to reduce the assessments.
City Attorney Knutson and Administrative Services Director McGann stated that the funds.
haven't been appropriated for this project. Those figures were only estimates. If there are any
savings on street reconstruction projects in a year, those savings are rolled over to the next year's
projects. In addition funds from the water and sewer accounts aren't transferred until the final
costs are determined. The assessments are based on the final costs of the project, not the
budgeted amounts. The budgeted figures that the City Engineer provides are the best estimates
given at the time taking into consideration the economy, the price of fuel, etc. The City's
estimates are usually conservative and on the higher end.
The following concerns/suggestions were expressed by the Council regarding the draft policy:
1. Assessing for comprehensive storm drainage systems in a watershed.
2. Make sure the City isn't collecting more than the administration costs on a project.
3. Information be provided that would list the percentage of prepayments on assessments
staff indicated that this report has already been prepared and would be given to the
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of September 25, 2007
Page 2 of 2
Council).
4. Could there be flexibility in arbitrarily setting the length of assessments (for example,
eight or 12 years versus the standard five, 10, or 15 years)?
5. Under the section "Property Excluded," staff should review this area to make sure the
development community doesn't get a benefit that costs someone else.
6. Rates should be reviewed under "Central System Costs," as they are low (particularly as
it rates to the Northwest Plymouth area). Staff stated these rates would be reviewed as
part of the Comprehensive Plan process.
7. Remove "engineer's estimate" and "whichever amount is less" under Street
Reconstruction Section (4b1).
8. Remove the Storm Sewer District section as that is premature Lentil after adoption of the
Comprehensive Plan.
9. Provide clearer language in the document that "City owned_ property" can be assessed for
improvements.
Staff stated they would address the above concerns and suggestions and present the proposed
policy on a future Council agenda.
Set Future Study Sessions
1. The Council set the following Study Sessions:
1. November 13, 5:30 p.m. discuss water and sewer elements of the Comprehensive Plan
2. November 27, 6:00 p.m., City Manager annual performance review
3. January 15, 2008, 6:30 p.m. Board and Commission interviews
Adi ournment
Mayor. Slavik adjourned the meeting at approx' ately 6:45 p.m.
Sandra R. Engdahl ity Clerk