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Council Meeting Minutes October 25, 1994 Page 8 Council Business. continued Benke acknowledged a possible delay in notification, but feels residents could contact the City to note concerns. Olson said about 5 residents contacted staff. Benke said the issue was discussed at the September 27 Council meeting and cablecast on Channel 16 and the New Bri~hton Bulletin ran a front page article. Fulton noted that upon his arrival one year ago, one of the projects being researched was the utility fund. This financial strategy is not a last minute approach. Samuelson asked how crucial is it for Council to take action tonight. Fulton explained that the budget document has established an item for the stormwater utility, but a decision could be deferred until the full Council could meet. Don Jensen, Rottlund, requested utility fee information so that Rottlund could finalize association fees for the Brighton Green project. Fulton said the Brighton Green townhome complex would be charged a quarterly rate of $12.65 per acre. Jensen acknowledged that each project is different, but a stormwater utility has not been applied to other Rottlund projects. Jensen said an association would pay water and sewer fees for the entire complex. Benke asked Carlson if the Windsor Green Association bills each unit for utility fees. Carlson said the Association budgets and pays utilities, and the inclusion of the stormwater fee involves an additional $1,100 for the budget. He asked why residential lots are not assessed on a per acre basis. Staff researched three differently sized residential lots to compute the runoff created, it was found that a smaller lot may create as much runoff as a larger lot because of the denseness of impervious surface. It would be cumbersome for staff to review the runoff calculations for each of the City's 5,000 lots. Benke said staff performed many hours of research to determine the best way to make this utility the most equitable. Pat Krisham, 286 Windsor Lane, noted the per year costs associated with the fund and asked the required accountabilities. Benke said the anticipated project costs for 1994 and the next four years is $861,000. Egan determined the amount needed to fmance projects in 1995 and 1996 which are currently under the stormwater management plan. That amount would then be cancelled out and applied to the stormwater utility. Following adoption of the utility district those levied expenses planned would be incorporated into a utility based rate. The figures are reviewed annually and a taxing district is more accountable than levied dollars put into a General Fund. Each year, residents can review specific activity in a taxing district. Olson said the timing of proposed stormwater projects would be tied into street reconstruction schedules. Benke added that Council annually reviews upcoming projects and needs; and feels the utility structure allows for a greater link between costs and projects. Fulton said some projects are pushed forward because of priority, and projects will be funded and reviewed according to priority. Doug Pederson, 160 Windsor Lane, noted Windsor Green's ponds and asked if they would receive a credit for water retention. Olson said the credit system may be applied if the pond is maintained and owned by the Association. Benke said that if the Windsor Green ponds are owned by the Association, it would be their responsibility to correct any problems. Pederson asked if dredging projects are performed by the City. Benke said the dredging improvements performed by the City is only on public land. Staff will meet with Pederson regarding the ponds. Council Business I Stormwater Utility Plan Report 94-253 I I