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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 23.1998 <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />Mayor Probst explained the City does have the ability to set the assessment rate. He clarified <br />the proposal the County was talking about did not include any drainage improvements or <br />modifications to the street elevation. The City felt, in the long term interest of the City, it <br />would be better to do a reconstruction. <br /> <br />Mr. Dwelly stated the road has been there for thirty years with no work done on it but he has <br />seen other roads improved more frequently. He restated he believes this street should receive <br />a special rate since improvement to Stowe Avenue has always been pushed aside. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst explained the City had no jurisdiction to maintain this street until three years ago <br />since it was a County road and under their jurisdiction. He stated it would be within the <br />Council's jurisdiction to approve a different assessment rate. <br /> <br />Mr. Dwelly stated he sees no justification for charging Stowe A venue residents this rate. <br /> <br />Councilmember Aplikowski stated it would be nice to not assess anything but that is not <br />possible. She explained that the City is already proposing to share 50% of the cost and noted <br />that the construction costs have increased each year. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she <br />wishes the City could set a standard rate but they need to go with the current rates and have <br />agreed to pay 50 % of those costs. <br /> <br />Mr. Dwelly stated he understands a larger assessment can be spread over ten years at seven <br />percent. He stated he believes this percentage is too high and requested consideration of a <br />lower percentage rate. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst noted an assessment hearing will be held at which time residents will have the <br />opportunity to again discuss the project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Malone stated he agrees this is a big increase in cost this year and asked why <br />these rates are so high. Mr. Greg Brown, Consulting Engineer, stated he is comfortable that <br />the construction costs will be within this range and the City's policy is accurate. <br />Councilmember Malone explained how the rates are calculated. <br /> <br />Mr. Dwelly asked if the rate will be reduced if the costs come in lower. Mayor Probst advised <br />that at the assessment hearing, the Council has the ability to lower the rate but cannot raise the <br />rate. <br /> <br />Councilmember Aplikowski noted this occurred (lowering the rate) at an assessment hearing <br />last year. She stated she was also surprised at the size of the cost increase and would like to <br />see a lower rate. Councilmember Aplikowski noted the Council will have a better "handle" on <br />costs once the bids are received. <br /> <br />Mr. Dwelly suggested the rate not be set until the bids are received. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst explained the timing of the notice to residents and scheduling the assessment <br />hearing. He advised that a rate needs to be included on the notice to residents. Mayor Probst <br />