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