City Council Minutes 09-28-1977 Special
SPECIAL MEETING - ITY COUNCIL
Monticello Jr. Hig' Auditorium
September 28, 1977 - 8:00 P. M.
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Members present: Johnson, G imsmo, Blonigen, Walters, White.
Also present were John Bada ich and Keith Nelson of the
consulting engineering firm of Orr-Schelen~Mayeron & Assoc.
The purpose of the meeting
on the permanent street imp
the City of Monticello.
John Badalich, consulting c ty engineer, reviewed the
proposed permanent street i provement program which would
include curb, gutter, storm sewer improvements and a
36 foot bituminous street.
as to hold a Public Hearing
ovement program proposed for
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The total project was recom ended for construction in
2 phases; Section I being t e area west of Hwy. #25
and Section II being the ar a east of Hwy. #25.
The estimated costs of the "mprovements were as follows:
Section I - area west 0 Hwy. 25 - $1,413,600
Section II - area east f Hwy. 25 - 1,077,200
Total estimate cost $2,490,800
Gary Wieber, city administr tor, presented an explanation
of the proposed assessments and tax increase for a typical
parcel being served by the "mprovements.
The current consensus of th council would be to assess
20% of the total project co ts to the abutting property
owners. Using this percent ge, a typical parcel of 66'
x 165' would be assessed $7.30 per foot or $483.00 for
street improvements and .01 94 per square foot for storm
sewer or $130.00. This wou d amount to approximately
$613.00 or $55.00 per year or 20 years including interest.
In addition, 80% balance of the project costs would be
placed on ad valorem taxes nd would result in a property
tax increase based on the m rket value of the home as
follows:
Market value:
Approximate
increase
$20,000
$10.91
$30,000
$33.84
$40,000
$47.85
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The public hearing was open
the following persons were
Wilbur Eck - Inquired as t whether he could get a de-
ferred assessment. Also as ed whether it is necessary for
the city to hold a referend m on the improvement. Mr. Eck
opposed the project due to the high assessment on his parcel.
Also felt the need for the improvements had not been established.
citizens comments and
September 28, 1977 - Specia meeting - cont'd.
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Ben Smith - Inquired as to
indebtedness and what futur
real estate taxes in Montic
he city's
projects
110.
current total
would do to the
Caroline Ellison - Asked
owned by Senior Citizens
properties were re-sold.
deferrment of assessments i
Ellison expressed support
if
assessments against property
ld be deferred until the
T e city would check into the
legally possible. Mrs.
r the project.
co
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Jeff Rowan - Inquired as to why the project would include
re-paving 3rd Street since "t was recently resurfaced in
1973. The engineer stated hat 3rd Street would have to
be widened to 36' and re-gr ded to provide for proper
storm sewer drainage. Mr. owan did not see the urgency
of a curb and gutter progra and opposed the project.
Harry Schaffer - Felt the r ason our streets, especially
3rd Street, have been deter'orating is because of the
heavy truck traffic.
Cindy Rasmussen - Asked whe her there would be any
guarantee that the streets ould not fall apart within
6 months to a year. She al 0 asked whether the streets
would ever be torn up after they were completed. She
was assured that a quality "mprovement should not show
signs of deteriorating for any years and that all under-
ground utilities would be i stalled before a permanent
street was constructed. No opposition to the project was
given.
Paul Dahl- Asked whether pe manent street construction
might cause damage to indiv"dual wells. Was informed that
under normal circumstances, no permanent damage should
occur. He also questioned hy utilities such as telephone
and electric lines wouldn't be installed first in the
streets. The engineer comm nted that these utilities
could be installed along th city's right of way without
disturbing any permanent s reets. No opposition to the
project was expressed by Mr. Dahl.
Arlene McIntire - Voiced op osition to the project because
property owners not receivi g the improvements would be
asked to still pay for a portion of the costs through
ad valorem taxes.
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John Mitchell - Asked whether any allowance would be made
on the storm sewer assessme t since his property drains
to the river already. It was indicated that no allowance
would probably be made.
Bud Schrupp - Felt that the project was a needed im-
provement and that the asse sment policy proposed was fair.
William Sandberg - Question d why a referendum wasn't
considered by the council. Also expressed concern on
what might happen should gr ss earnings legislation become
effective. He was informed that all of the recent gross
earnings legislations have included the grand fathering
in of all outstanding bonds issued by the city and would
continue using the utilities present valuation, thus
there should be no noticeab e effect on taxes for the
project. Mr. Sandberg also felt that water drainage is
not a problem in Monticello and opposed the project
without a referendum.
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Marie Peterson - Inquired as to whether property not
receiving any improvements ould be assessed. It was
stated that only parcels being benefitted by the improvements
would be assessed.
Walter Klatt - Asked whether a 66' wide lot could be
built on. He was informed that a building permit could
be obtained provided all city ordinances were met.
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Fran Fair - Did not feel a
as council members were al
to make decisions of this
of the project and felt it
tax base is still here.
public referendum was necessary
eady elected by the citizens
ature. She expressed support
should be done now while our
Hearing no other citizens comments, the hearing was ad-
journed by the council. A decision will be made by the
council at a later date.
~lt;l~
Adm. Assistant
RW/lg
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