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5.12. SR 07-17-1995~Ik Ri ITEM *5.12 MEMORANDUM ver TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Lori Johnson, Assistant City Administrator DATE: July 8,1995 SUBJECT: Two Year Interest on Tillable Green Acres Property The city recently received a request for a two year interest exemption on the assessments levied as part of the 1994 Western Area Phase II improvement project. The property owner requesting the exemption currently qualifies under the Green Acres statute and considers his property to be tillable. L~ When the Western Area Phase 1 assessment role was approved, the Council included a provision in the resolution which stated that tillable Green Acres property would be exempt from interest for two years. This provision was not included in the Western Area Phase II Assessment Resolution. The minutes of the assessment and improvement hearings for the Western Area Phase I and Phase II projects do not make reference as to whether the exemption granted far the 1992 assessments was to apply for future phases of the Western Area Improvement Project. I have attached Council minutes, resolutions and staff memos for your review. Staff would like clarification from the Council on whether or not this exemption was intended to apply to just phase 1 of the Western Area improvements or to all phases. In that regard, if this item is approved as part of the consent agenda, the two year interest exemption will be applied to all phases of the Western Area improvements. If that is not the intent of the City Council, this item should be removed from the consent agenda so the record reflects the Council's interpretation of the two year interest exemption policy. Attachment • 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN SS330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 City Council Minutes Paqe 3 October 12, 1992 -------------------- • Another Statute, M.S. 429.051, allows the City to not assess certain properties at this time. A third Statute, M.S. 429.061, allows cities to defer assessments against unimproved property until a designated future year, until the property is platted, or until improvements are constructed on the property. Interest on the deferred assessments can be made payable annually, can be added to the principal amount, or can be forgiven. Bud Houlton requested the Council to grant the large land owners the same opportunities that was granted to the existing single family homes that were excluded from the trunk assessments. Councilmember Holmgren stated that he prefers Option #2 in the staff memo to the Mayor and City Council dated October 8. Option #2 would allow the City to assess the project to all benefitted property owners, but allows the elimination of interest on the assessment to farm lands for two years. Councilmember Holmgren requested the City Attorney to pursue this alternative and to incorporate it into the Assessment Manual. Bud Houlton stated that two years would not be enough time as his intent is not to develop the farm land. Councilmember Dietz stated that he would not be in favor of a general levy to carry the debt that would be created by eliminating the interest on the assessments for the farm lands. • Councilmember Kropuenske stated that options #2 and #3 in the memo to the Mayor and City Council dated October 8 would benefit the Moldenhauer development; however, these options would not benefit the Houlton or Kincanon farm property. Gordon Moldenhauer stated that the City is forcing people to develop their, land with the proposed assessments. He requested that the City delete the interest on the Green Acre land. He stated that the taxes from the developed lots would cover the cost of the interest. Councilmember Schuldt stated his concern regarding a city-wide levy to cover the deferred interest on the farm land. He stated he was opposed to any type of levy for this purpose. Mr. Kincanon stated that the assessments against his property were too high. He stated that he has been offered $7,500 per acre for his property and that he would not make a profit from the property due to the high amount of the assessment. There being no further comments, Mayor Tralle closed the public hearing. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION CONSISTENT WITH OPTION #2 IN THE MEMO TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATED OCTOBER 8 WHICH DEFERS THE ASSESSMENT FOR TWO YEARS ON TILLABLE, GREEN ACRE PROPERTY AND FORGIVES • INTEREST FOR THE PERIOD OF DEFERRAL. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. City Council Minutes Page 4 G October 12, 1992 • - Councilmember Kropuenske indicated that he was not comfortable with this decision, but he was aware that there are not a lot of options regarding this matter. He indicated his continued concern regarding the farm properties that do not want to develop. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember Kropuenske opposed. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO DENY THE MOLDENHAUER OBJECTION AND REQUEST TO EXCLUDE THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE MOLDENHAUER PROPERTY FROM THE ASSESSMENT ROLL ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PROPERTY WILL BE BENEFITTED IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSMENT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT MOVED TO DENY THE RINCANON OBJECTION AND REQUEST TO EXCLUDE THE KINCANON PROPERTY, PARCEL #75-005-2101, FROM THE ASSESSMENT ROLL ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PROPERTY WILL BE BENEFITTED IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSMENT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember Rropuenske opposed. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO DENY THE HOULTON OBJECTION AND REQUEST TO EXCLUDE THE HOULTON FARM PROPERTY FROM THE ASSESSMENT ROLL ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PROPERTY WILL BE BENEFITTED IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSMENT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE • MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember Kropuenske opposed. Terry Maurer indicated that he has received a letter of written objection from Jeff and Mary Lundeen to the assessment levied against a portion of their property. He explained that Orono Road divides their property and the back property which abuts the lake is a small parcel that is unbuildable. He stated that the reason the property was assessed for the street assessment was because the property adds value to the entire parcel. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO DENY THE OBJECTION MADE BY JEFF AND MARY LUNDEEN FOR LOT 4, BLOCK 2, HEATH ADDITION BASED ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PARCEL BENEFITS THE LUNDEEN PROPERTY AND THE PROPERTY IS BENEFITTED IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSMENT. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE ASSESSMENT HEARING UNTIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 TO BE HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY AT 7:00 P.M. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.1. Klein Easement Request Terry Maurer indicated that staff has received a request from Mr. and Mrs. Klein for reimbursement of $999 for the easement -they have given to the City on the corner of their property, Lots 3, 4, and 5, Block 5, • Orono Addition. Terry Maurer explained that although the City acquired the easement, Mr. Klein was made aware of the fact that the City could have completed the project without acquiring the easement as the. project could be done through prescriptive rights. Terry Maurer also. informed the Council that Mr. Klein stated that he was interested in i -.~ ~r ilk River T TT.'M C, l T0: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL FROM: PAT KLAERS, CITY ADMIN DATE: OCTOBER 13, 1992 SUBJECT: WESTERN AREA PHASE I ASSESSMENT ROLL The assessments to benefitted property owners in regards to the Western Area Phase I Improvement project has been discussed at the September 28 and October 12 City Council meetings. At these meetings the City Council has taken action to amend the original assessment roll. Other than some more minor adjustments, the most significant change in the assessment roll related to the tillable Green Acres properties. This land has received a deferment for two years per City Council action on 10/12/92 and this action is reflected in the attached resolution. Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution. • ,] I 720 Dodge Avenue N.W., EIk River, Minnesota 55330 {612) 441-7420 City Council Minutes October 19, 1992 Page 2 • appropriate for staff to order the public improvement hearings because there is not enough information submitted from the developer at this time. Terry Maurer updated the Council on the progress of the development as outlined in his 10/15/92 memo. The update included information regarding the EAW, traffic study, site plane, preliminary plat and Indirect Source Permit, etc. Terry Maurer informed the Council that there were a number of issues that were not discussed in the feasibility study related to this development proposal and stated that in order to proceed with the improvements, the Council should see the overall improvement. Terry stated that the developers for the west Highway 169 area should request a feasibility study specifically for their proposal tying all aspects of it together. Terry Maurer informed the Council that this was just an update and that no action was necessary. 6.1. Adoption of Final Assessment Roll for Western Area Phase I Improvements COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 92-102, A RESOLUTION -~ FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER ADOPTING THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE WESTERN AREA PHASE I IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Councilmember Kropuenske opposed. . 6.2. Consider Pay Estimate #3/City Facility COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #3 TO BOR-SON IN THE AMOUNT OF $209,027.55 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE CITY HALL/POLICE FACILITY.. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.3. Consider Pay Estimate #5/Western Area COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #5 TO ARCON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $207,974.82 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE WESTERN AREA IMPROVEMENT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.4. Consider Pay Estimate #6/Westwood Area Improvements COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #6 TO NORTHDALE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,718.00 FOR WORK COMPLETED ON THE WESTWOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.5. Consider Pay Estimate #3/Production Well COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED PAY ESTIMATE #3 TO BERGERSON CASWELL • INC. FOR WORK ON THE WESTERN AREA PRODUCTION WELL IN THE. AMOUNT OF $21,005.41. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. RESOLUTION 92 - 1.D2 • RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL WHEREAS, Upon due notice properly made as required by law, the Elk River City Council on September 28, October 12, and October 19, 1992, held an assessment hearing on the proposed assessments for the Western Area Phase 1 improvement projects; and, WHEREAS, In the course of the assessment hearing the City Council heard and passed upon all objections to the proposed assessments, and determined the amount to be assessed against each property; and,. WHEREAS, The City Council's written record of the proceedings at the assessment hearing and written findings as to the amount to be assessed to individual properties are contained in the City Council's official minutes of the hearing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River, Minnesota: 1. The final assessment roll, as amended by the City Council during the assessment hearing, a copy of which is attached • hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, is hereby accepted and adopted and shall constitute the special assessment against the lands therein named. Each such tract of land in the assessment roll is hereby found to be benefitted by the improvement in an amount not less than the amount of the assessment levied against it. 2. Such assessment shall be payable in equal annual installments, including both principal and interest, amortized in such amount annually as is required to pay the principal with interest. at 7.5~ over a period of 3 - 20 years. 3. The owner of any property so assessed, may, at any time prior to certification to the County Auditor of the assessment or the first installment thereof, pay to the City Treasurer the whole of the assessment on such property, with interest accrued to the date of payment; except that no interest shall be charged if the entire assessment is paid within 30 days after the adoption of this Resolution. Prepayment may also be made after the certification of the assessment or first installment thereof by paying to the City Treasurer/County Auditor the entire amount of the assessment remaining unpaid with interest. In the case of a payment made before November 15, interest will be calculated through December 31 of the . year in which payment is made. If payment is made after November 15, interest will be calculated through December 31 of the next succeeding year. . 4. The assessments levied by this Resolution on tillable, unimproved agricultural property which meets the requirements set forth in Minnesota Statutes Section 273.111, Subd. 3, shall be deferred until 1994 and interest for the years 1992, 1993, and 1994 shall be forgiven. The first installment on assessments so ~~ deferred shall be payable in 1995 and said assessments (including assessments deferred in future years under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes Section 273.111, Subd. 1.1) shall bear interest at the rate set forth in this. Resolution beginning on January 1, 1995.. 5. The City Administrator shall transmit to the County Auditor a certified duplicate of the attached assessment roll to be extended on the property tax lists of the County. Such assessment shall be collected and paid over in the same manner as other municipal taxes. Passed and adopted this 19th day ATTEST: Sandra A. Thackeray, City erk • of 0 tober, 1992. James A. Tralle, Mayor •