2008-05-28 Set Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 1 of2 Teresa Bender From: Melody Meath [mmeath@q.com] Sent: Sunday, May 18,200811:57 AM To: Mary Capra; Michelle Lasko; Tom Lee; Jeff Parr; lindabv@msn.com Cc: Dallas Larson; Teresa Bender Subject: Comments on 5/14 work session Attachments: sidewalk_correspondance with Dallas.pdf Mayor Capra and Council Members, First of alii want to say that I was encouraged by the comments and questions I heard at the work session on Wednesday. It seemed to me that you were all listening at the May 1 hearing and actually heard what your constituents were saying to you. Maybe sometimes with hostility but when people's emotions do the talking for them that is how it comes out sometimes. I also want to say that I appreciate all your time and effort you all put into our community. The deeper I get involved, the more I've come to realize what a truly difficult job you all volunteered for. I also hope that you all have come to the same conclusion that I have. That we are all on the same team and I hope we can find a way to satisfy everyone's issues with the outcome of this project. Of course not everyone will be happy with what is decided, but I think that would be impossible. Now here are my comments about the work session. You didn't think I was done did you? 1) The issue about the corroded bolts being in the special assessments when it shouldn't have been because it is a maintenance issue is really weighing on my mind. According to Dallas, that was a total of $100,000 that was being tacked on to the assessments. A substantial amount if you ask me. It makes me wonder what other "hidden" items are in these assessments that shouldn't be. Who is looking out for the resident's interest when coming up with the assessments? Shouldn't somebody be questioning these items? I realize they are only estimates at this point but when they true numbers come in, I for one "m going to want a complete break down of what I am paying for. 2) Then there's the issue of the collector streets. My thoughts here are that the current Assessment Policy does not address this at all. I believe this Policy needs to be updated and revised to include this issue. I don't know if "new" collector streets will be constructed in Centerville but as Mr. Statz stated, those streets would be designed differently and the difference in cost would be picked up by the City. It should state something to the effect that a collector street receives a more aggressive maintenance schedule than a regular residential street because of the sheer volume of cars on it, and that would be picked up by the City 100%. As for Center Street in 2004, I believe that is a non-issue because my understanding is that it was not designed any differently, but maybe it receives a more aggressive maintence schedule now because it is a collector street. 3) My last comment is in regards to your topic of discussion for your next work session, the trails and sidewalks. As I've stated before I feel these items are luxuries and are not necessary at this time. I'm not saying never, I'm just saying NOT NOW. I understand the City has a Comprehensive Plan in place that includes the "linking" of our sidewalks and trails. I think it is logical to include the sidewalk if the street is scheduled for a total recon. However, I think it is irresponsible to include these sidewalks and trails if this is not the case and the street only needs minimal road work done. This would follow the same logic I heard from Mr. Paar and Mr. Lee when referring to the water main. It is just not the right timing. Hopefully the economy will pick up and when we all have money in our pockets again this wouldn't be such a sore spot for everyone. This brings me to how you are assessing these sidewalks and trials. Back in October, I asked Dallas who pays for trails and he told me the City pays 100% of trails. As for the sidewalks, according to our Assessment Policy where it states "the abutting properties shall be assessed along with the street costs" I concluded that only the people with sidewalks abutting their property would be assessed for their portion. If I understand the concept of a policy, you are supposed to follow it, otherwise what exactly is the policy for? 5/28/2008