HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-13 CC WS - ApprovedCity Counci12008-02-13, 7:50 p.m
Minutes of Work Session
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Present were Mayor Capra, Council members Tom Lee, Linda Broussard-Vickers, and
Michelle Lakso. Also present were Finance Director John Meyer, City Attorney Kurt
Glaser, Mark Statz of Bonestroo & Assoc. Absent was Council member Jeff Paar.
Ron Mehl of Beard Group provided an update on the status of the downtown
development. Mr. Mehl reviewed the phases that are planned and noted that they are
working on financing for the buildings in Blocks 8 & 9. They have made offers on
several properties and are negotiating with others. The developer plans to break ground
on the first phase in the fall.
Mr. Mehl plans to return in about a month to report on their progress.
John Meyer reviewed a study of tax abatement on the property of Northern Forest
Products. The company was granted tax increment financing and tax abatement but the
projected assistance has fallen short, primarily because of changes in property tax
structure by the State Legislature. The owner has requested that the term of the abatement
be extended by three years in order to get closer to the target amounts.
The Council reviewed the ordinance on fees charged by the City. Mr. Meyer presented a
study of the drainage utility charges comparing residential and business properties. It
indicated that the commercial/industrial properties in Centerville are not paying based
upon any measure of storm water contributed. A chart was prepared showing that the
commercial/industrial properties should be collectively paying about $12,000 per year
more than they currently are. The consensus was that the rate should be modified
immediately to rectify the situation.
Other fee changes were reviewed including the possibility of increasing liquor license
fees to encourage participation in the Best Practices program. It was apparent that the
licensees are not failing the compliance checks, so the benefits of Best Practices may not
be that significant.
Engineer Mark Statz reviewed his planned presentation for the public open house related
to the 2009 Street Project. He noted that two significant changes have been made. Center
Street will be constructed in a way to leave most of the curb. This will save about 10%.
Secondly, Mill Road will be modified to leave the southerly end as a rural section on the
west side and a trail constructed behind a curb on the west side. This will save
substantially over the cost of a full reconstruct as was earlier considered.
The Public Open house will be held on February 21, and the project brought back the
following week to consider setting a public hearing. The Council reviewed the proposed
project schedule and encouraged the engineer to compress the time frame so the hearing
on assessments could be not later than September.
The Council discussed the possibility of including LaValle Drive in the improvement,
since this would be the remaining portion of the City without watermain, if the 2009
Improvement is completed. It was consensus that the property owners should be asked to
participate.
The Council reviewed draft goals for 2008, including the suggestion that the City hire its
own project inspector. The Council wishes to proceed and the matter will be placed on
the next meeting agenda.
A second goal that was discussed related to community signs. Administrator Larson
suggested that the sign locations be confirmed with landowner agreements as soon as
possible, even if signs are not to be constructed this year. Three locations are initially
proposed on the major highway entrances: CSAH 14 on the east, CSAH 21 on the south,
and County Road 21 on the south. The entrance from the west is still an open question,
since Anoka County Parks has rejected any location on their property. Council was
receptive to the idea and will consider specific landowner agreements as they are
presented.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.
Dallas Larson, Administrator