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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 12, 2015 7 Jerry Ciresi, 1831 Venus Avenue, feared how he would be impacted by the assessment as he was a senior citizen living on a fixed income. He did not believe that a reconstruction project was the way to go as this would be a large burden for the taxpayers. Dean Bakken, 1802 Gramsie Road, supported the reconstruction project and recommended the four corner properties not be reassessed. Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 8:28 p.m. Mayor Grant requested that the Council discuss the matter and provide staff with direction on how to proceed with this project. Councilmember Woodburn stated that the reclamation project was projected to be about $1 million less than the reconstruction project. He originally supported the reclamation project because it would cost the homeowners less, and he thought that reclamation was all that the street needed. Now, after hearing the presentation and the residents support for reconstruction, he is in favor of moving forward with the street reconstruction for this neighborhood. He sympathized with the senior citizens in this neighborhood and understood that the reclamation option would have reduced the amount assessed on the homeowners. Mayor Grant questioned how much the water runoff situation would be improved through a full reconstruction project. Assistant City Engineer Anderson discussed how the grading and soil conditions would be improved along the roadway and how this would impact the water runoff. Councilmember Holmes reported that the assessment amounts could be paid off over a period of 10 years. She also mentioned that a determination on the corner lots would be made at the assessment hearing. Mayor Grant noted that the Council had the ability to extend the length of the assessment period. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Woodburn seconded a motion to Adopt Resolution 2015-001 ordering the improvement and preparation of plans and specifications for the reconstruction of the Venus/Crystal neighborhood. Mayor Grant thanked the public for their comments this evening. He indicated that he was torn between the reclamation versus reconstruction project. However, in the end he believed that in order to do the job right, he would be supporting the reconstruction of the Venus/Crystal neighborhood roadways. Councilmember McClung agreed and believed that this neighborhood was in need of a complete street reconstruction. He was pleased to hear that a large number of homeowners in this neighborhood were voicing the same concern. Councilmember Holden discussed how the Council has been taking a proactive stance towards the City’s streets and trails. For this reason, she would be supporting the full reconstruction.