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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—APRIL 8, 2024 9 Mayor Grant noted the City assesses for streets only and does not assess for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, trails or parking areas. Mr. Fisher stated this was correct. He commented on the regional improvements that would be made to the parking area on Royal Lane adjacent to the park. He explained the City would be paying the full expense for this parking area. Councilmember Holden questioned if the increase in the assessment amount from the 2022 street project was due to an increased price in asphalt or salaries for workers. Mr. Fisher reported the price for asphalt has stabilized,but noted labor costs were on the rise. Councilmember Holden asked if the City or consultant had experience working with this contractor. Mr. Fisher explained this contractor was out of Jordan, Minnesota and his office has a lot of projects in the south metro where this contractor has been utilized and has a good work product. Councilmember Holden requested staff speak with the public about how to schedule grad parties or other special occasions being planned for this summer. Mr. Fisher stated he would be speaking to residents regarding this matter. Mayor Grant opened the Assessment Hearing at 7:52 p.m. Ed Robinson, 1370 Colleen Avenue, stated he received the assessment allocation letter from the City and noted his assessment was slated to be $12,000 for the project. He indicated he supported the project but stated the $12,000 was quite high, especially given the fact he was retired. He reported he went back into the records and noted the Council had waived his application for his side lot, which was unbuildable. He indicated this lot was next to the pond, generates no traffic and has no driveway. He stated he sent a letter to Mr. Swearingen noting in 1997 he received a similar assessment and the Council heard the same comments from him. The Council in 1997 excluded the portion of the assessment that was applicable to the side lot. He indicated he provided staff with a copy of the letter from 1997. He reported if this lot were sold for any reason, he would be happy to pay the additional costs for the assessment, but requested the Council provide some relief for the assessment on the side lot at this time. Jackie Moe, 1479 Colleen Avenue, asked what pond would be dredged and what would this work look like. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained the pond at Colleen and Hamline Avenues as well as the pond on the south side of McClung Drive and Snelling Avenue would be dredged. He reported maintenance would be done on the ponds to bring their full function back. He stated the work completed would involve removing sediment from the pond to improve the water quality within the ponds. Ms. Moe questioned how the City determined overlay versus a reclamation.