01-21-1988 CC MIN
e
INFORMATIONAL MEETING
MAIN STREET "MOCK ASSESSMENT" HEARING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1988
HELD AT HANDKE SCHOOL
Staff Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Terry Maurer, City Engineer.
Approximately 15 property owners or
present.
downtown
business
tenants
were
The City Administrator informed the people present that the City was holding
an informational hearing to discuss potential assessment amounts for each
property in the downtown area and to get the reactions of the property owners
in the downtown area in regards to some sample assessment amounts. He noted
the sample assessment amounts included an assumption on the area to be
assessed for the beautification aspect of the improvement; some estimates for
costs of improvements, and also an assumption on the assessment method for
financing the beautification improvements.
Terry Maurer, City Engineer, reviewed the sample assessment costs with the
property owners. He noted that street construction is based on $18.50 per
linear foot and the assessment for sanitary sewer 1s proposed at $1,050 per
acre. Mr. Maurer explained that the downtown amenities to be assessed to
property owners include:
e
Decorative Street Lighting
Trees
Tree Grates
Trash Receptacles
Textured Sidewalk
- $ 65 , 000
-0-
$29,000
$11,500
$11,800
TOTAL --------------------- $117,300
Mr. Maurer explained that if conventional street lighting were used as opposed
to decorative street lighting, the assessment charge of $65,000 would be
eliminated as the Elk River Utilities has agreed to install conventional
lighting at no cost.
Mr. Maurer eXplained that the sample assessments are based on the following
formula: 60% of the cost is based on the units and 40% of the cost is based
on the area. Properties abutting Main Street receive 1 full credit and units
not abutting Main Street receive 1/2 credit. Each business property was
considered a "unit" and the "area" method was based on total square footage of
each business in relationship to the entire square footage in the downtown
district.
At this time, the City Administrator opened the floor to the public for
comments:
Al Nadeau - Stated his proposed assessment amount of $8,000 was too high and
that he would not reap the benefits of decorative lighting.
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Main Street Informational Meeting
January 21. 1988
Ron Kuhn - 812 Main Street/ Stated that the businesses between Lowell and King
and the Downtown area was different in nature and stated that the properties
between Lowell and King don't need or want the beautification assessments.
Mr. Kuhn also indicated that the commercial properties west of Lowell were no
different in nature than the properties east of Lowell. yet they were not
being included in the assessment.
Bud Houlton stated that Elk River is struggling to compete with other
communities. He stated that the Downtown Committee requested the City to look
into decorative lights in order to create an inviting shopping environment for
the downtown area. He indicated he was in favor of trying to create a
decorative environment.
Al Nadeau
He stated
expensive.
indicated the assessment amount was too high for a small business.
he would like to see the beautification done but it is too
Mike Rafferty - 653 Main Street - Stated he would have liked to know at least
some preliminary costs before he cast his vote for downtown beautification at
the Downtown Committee.
Bill Pollard - 1624 Main Street - Stated he felt a portion of this should be a
city-wide assessment. The City Administrator stated that part of the project
is being funded through the City.
Steve Johnson
people would
opportunity.
supportive of
stated he felt the project should be done now. He stated the
be making a big mistake if they didn't take advantage of the
He stated the assessment was fair and that he was fully
the proposal.
Ardy of Ardy's on Main questioned the zoning from Lowell to Morton. He stated
that this should be treated the same as the properties on Main Street.
Jerry Smith stated that there were a few properties east of Lowell that were
zoned commercial.
Cliff Lundberg stated that up to Lowell is thought of as part of the downtown
area. Mr. Lundberg stated that the Downtown Committee was under the
impression that the City started the questions on downtown beautification and
therefore. that the City should bear more of the cost. He stated that the
assessment cost was too heavy for the abutting property owners.
Discussion pursued on different methods of assessing property owners. It was
suggested by most of the audience that a straight "per unit basis" type of
assessment was more fair and should be used. There was no oppostion from the
property owners present on this recommendation.
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Main Street Informational Meeting
January 21, 1988
At this time, there were no other comments made by the public. Pat Klaers,
City Administrator, summarized by saying that it appeared the people present
were not opposed to the beautification aspects of the project; however, they
did voice concern over the method of assessment. He stated that the City
would review the per unit assessment that was suggested by the public and
present this to the Council for a decision.
The meeting ended at approximately 8:30 p.m.
j /J~
~eray ~
Recording Secretary