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I I I Council Meeting Minutes April 25, 1995 Page 4 Public Hearin~. continued Construction would begin in June with completion in November. The Assessment Hearing would be scheduled in August, 1996. Property owners would have 30 days to pay all or a part of the assessment without interest charges. Assessments not paid are certified to Ramsey County to be collected with real estate taxes. Larson noted the existing Sunnyside stormsewer and underneath the tracks running to 2358 and 2350 Erin Ct., and if its condition has been reviewed under 2405 Erin Ct. Staff repaired the stormsewer recently, but will inspect it again. Benke noted letters received from Lorraine Johnson, 2050 Rice Creek Road, and Brian Matson, 2286 Oriole Ave. Matson supports the project, but questioned the need for the storm sewer, and feels the curb and gutter work is unnecessary. Proper said the curb and gutter is needed to hold the road edges together, prolongs road life, keep the street clean, and carry water to the storm sewer. The City policy is to pay 75 % of the street cost. The storm sewer is needed because a new road would not allow for drainage if a storm sewer is not installed. Johnson's property is not assessed under this project. Benke asked if any trees will be endangered. Proper said not many trees will be affected. Mark Herrick, Engineering Tech., noted most concerns came from Thorndale and the City Forester reviewed the trees and felt they will not be affected . Some homeowners have requested trees be removed. There were no other comments from the audience. Motion by Gunderman, seconded by Samuelson, to CLOSE THE HEARING. 5 Ayes - 0 Nayes, Motion Carried. Hearing was closed at 8: 15 p.m. Benke noted the potential property tax freeze and questioned if improvement projects like this will be affected. Fulton said issues relating to general obligation bonds could mean higher interest costs to the City when borrowing funds; and the inability to levy funds for capital improvements. One other concern is that levy limits could be placed which preclude raising levies more than the cost of living or 3-4 %. Because these issues are still on the Legislature table, the outcome is unsure. He feels the logical method is to finalize the plans and specs and defer the bid award until the Legislature decision. Proper feels a property tax freeze could postpone the project because it would require special assessment general obligation bonds. Fulton asked what would be the impact if the project was delayed to July. Proper feels its would not be a problem, but earlier construction is preferred because of weather conditions. Benke said the Legislature will adjourn May 17, and by the May 23 Council Meeting we will know the outcome. Bids could be awarded at the June 27th meeting. Williams feels staff should remained focused on completing plans and specs and make a decision after Legislature adjournment. One resident feels it will be difficult to increase the grade enough to be effective for the storm sewer and still maintain driveway evenness. Public Hearin~ Project 95-3 Street Reconstruction Report 95-060 Resolution 95-028