City Engineer Brett Grabau began the assessment hearings with a description of the projects at the city council’s November 7 meeting. The improvements included the resurfacing of Maple St. from the intersection of Ridge Rd. to the western dead end. Improvements also included the reconstruction of portions of Circle Heights Dr. along with the entrance to the Branding Iron; this is essentially a new road including additional curb and gutter and replacements.
The final project cost of the Maple St. improvement was $56,676.46, of which 40% is assessable or $22,670.58. Sixty percent of the cost is borne by the city. Affected residents will pay $21.28 per frontage foot or an assessment rate of 39.%. There was no comment from residents affected by this improvement.
The Circle Heights Dr. improvements were very costly with the final cost of $324,088.05. Grabau stressed in order to be fair and equitable, the three affected residences and one commercial property owner will pay 110% of the average assessments for 2021 street and utility improvements. Using these averages, the assessment rate for these properties is 15.6%, drastically under the usual 40%. The total being assessed is $50,411.53. The extra 10% over 2021 assessments is due to increased construction costs this year. Residents affected by this project will pay $7,978.24 each. The commercial parcel assessment was proposed to be $26,476.81.
As always, the assessments can be paid up front, a portion paid up front, or they can be rolled over into property taxes and paid over 15 years at an interest rate of 2.45% per annum.
One of the residents affected was Gary Feine. He had done extensive research and insisted a precedent was set in 1985. The city engineer at that time said the parking areas are for the benefit of the restaurant and the owner of the restaurant at that time was not assessed because there was no increase to the value of the property. Feine argued there was no improvement to theur property. He requested the proposed assessment for his property be dismissed. “For us, the 2022 project only removed and replaced what was in existence.”
Grabau said the three residences affected do not have frontage on Circle Heights Dr., but if the street wasn’t there, they would not have access to their homes. The city’s current assessment policy was adopted in 2007. Grabau said they looked at this and tried to make it fair for everybody. “The street allows access to your property, so you directly benefit from the improvement. The numbers are fair.”
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said the 2007 assessment policy is 20 pages and very clear. He noted they also figured the assessment taking the parking lot out of the equation and the assessment rate would have been 17%.
Councilman Steve Hall said he didn’t have a good understanding of the policy, so he could not support the resolution.
The resolution adopting the assessment roll for Maple St. improvements passed unanimously. The resolution to adopt the Circle Heights Dr. improvements assessment roll passed 4-1 with Hall voting no.
Other business in brief
• The ninth pay request submitted by Alcon Construction in the amount of $122,804.47 for the 2021 Brownsville stormwater project was approved. Grabau said stormwater improvements were made in the last month. There still is some restoration work to be completed. A 3% retainage is being held, as are liquidated damages in the amount of $36,000.
• Dorrie Besse requested a lot split of property in the Industrial-1 zone which requires a minimum square footage of 20,000 square feet. She wants to divide the 1.89-acre parcel into two parcels (detailing shop on one parcel and mini storage units on the other). The 20,000-square-foot requirement will be met. The lot split was approved as proposed.
• Throckmorton gave updates on several items. Planned water bottle fill stations at the Trailhead (indoor) and an outdoor unit for the city hall/library will be largely paid for with a SHIP grant ($2,999.99) accepted from Fillmore County. They will be installed in 2023.
Payments to the city can be made with a credit card in the office or on the city’s website. City ordinances have been updated on the city’s website; click on Planning and Zoning.
Construction of a new entrance to the veterans home is expected to begin this fall.
Rules, fees, and maps for Crown Hill Cemetery are available to the public on the city’s website.
• B. Meyer and L. Alexander were hired as part-time officers for the Preston Police Department pending background checks.
• Jordan Newcome was hired for a casual EMT position.
• Preston EMS was awarded a $700 grant from the Lanesboro Community Foundation to purchase IV training equipment.
• A resolution authorizing participation for next year in the Toward Zero Deaths grant program was adopted. The program provides federal funds for enhanced law enforcement.
• The next city council meeting will be held on Thursday, November 17. It will include the election canvassing meeting.
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