CCWS 05-19-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 19,2003 2 . 4.A Assessment Policy Administrator Parrish introduced a draft assessment policy further explaining that the staff management team had reviewed the City's current assessment policy and the assessment policies from several surrounding communities, after which, staff prepared a working draft. He said the draft policy before the Council incorporates a "unit based" method for calculating assessments, while the current policy calculates assessments based upon frontage footage. He said the City standard was for residential properties to be assessed at 50% and commercial properties at 70% of the costs. Councilmember Rem said although she appreciated the fact that staff had prepared a draft policy, she urged the idea of having input from the taxpaying public when developing this kind of policy. Mayor Aplikowski asked the Councilmembers to bring forth goals in devising a new assessment policy. The Council said they wanted a new assessment policy which assures that there is . revenue to complete the projects; a policy that residents feel is "fair"; and finally, an understandable document and process. The Council agreed to invite the public to participate on an assessment policy task force to bring forth its recommendations to the Council by August, 2003. Avenues to advertise for the task force will occur on the web site, cable broadcasts, Arden Hills/Shoreview Bulletin, and Arden Hills Notes. 2.B Ramsey County Maintenance Facility Exterior Desi!m Discussion Mr. Gre!! Fenton, Ramsey County, presented an illustration of the south elevation of the cold storage section of the proposed Ramsey County Joint Maintenance Facility. The illustration indicated slotted windows and a random pattern were being proposed to address City Council's concerns. He also presented a revised landscape plan that illustrated a denser site plan. Councilmember Larson said he approved of the change, but suggested the placement of a few more windows so the structure would not have the appearance of a freeway sound wall. .