01-14-03 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
January 14, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:32 p.m.
Council Members
Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; and
Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Jim Olson, Project
Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1
Public Works Director Eastling explained the current City street conditions and the need for
the City Council to discuss the future street maintenance and related costs prior to being in a crisis
situation.
Project Engineer Olson made a presentation regarding the Mill and Overlay Assessment
Policy (Clerk's File No. C-389).
. Mill and Overlay Funding Policy for Residential Streets
. History
. Problem
. Overlay vs. Maintenance
. Solution
. Funding
. Funding Options
. Special Assessments
. Special Assessment Policy
. What are other Cities doing
. Assessment Policy Considerations
. Next Steps
Mayor Kirsch asked if the property along County roads is included in these assessments.
Public Works Director Eastling said no.
Mr. Eastling explained the special assessment and special bonding process, including certain
General Fund costs outside the City's tax levy limit when the property abuts City property.
Special Worksession Minutes
-2-
January 14, 2003
Mr. Eastling reviewed the special benefit test to determine the amount of percentage of the
improvement costs to be assessed against the benefiting properties. He also explained the
advantages for not having a 100% assessment rate.
Mr. Eastling said the current policy was established in the 1970's at a 100% assessment rate,
but was not adjusted for the large inflation rates.
Mayor Kirsch requested a copy of the current policy be provided to the City Council.
Council Member Ulrich expressed support for assessments with appropriate adjustments.
She recalled that, in the past, church assessment rates were negotiated.
City Manager Orduno added that school rates were also negotiated.
Council Member Sandahl stated support for having this assessment policy in place when the
City is not in a crisis situation with the streets.
City Manager Orduno clarified that City Council direction was to begin the process of
reviewing the mill and overlay funding policy for residential streets and return to the City Council for
discussion at a future Worksession.
Mayor Kirsch said that was correct.
Council Member Sandahl said neighborhood meetings regarding the policy should wait until
the policy is reviewed by the City Council.
Council Member Ulrich requested the project not be done block-by-block, but rather a
reasonably sized area.
Council Member Sandahl said mill and overlay work on some streets has been done already.
Public Works Director Eastling said some work was done based on street use and subjective
analysis, but the work has now stopped.
Council Member Rosenberg expressed agreement with the other Council Members'
comments regarding the assessment policy review.
Council Member Enger agreed that street assessments need to be considered due to the
budget situation.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:17 p.m.
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Chery~mhO z
Recording Secretary
Date Approved: January 28, 2003