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if the service is ordinarily provided by the City from its general fund revenues unless the service is provided in the district at an increased level. ~ 428A.03, subd. 1. C. What are the advantages of a special service district? The creation of a special service district is an alternative to a special tax assessment under Minn. Stat. Chapter 429. The primary advantage of a special service district appears to be that there are fewer statutory requirements for implementing a special service district as compared to a special assessment. On the other hand, the implementation of a special service district requires the cooperation of at least some of the property owners within the proposed service district. ~ 428A.08 states: No action may be taken under section 428A.02 unless owners of 25 percent or more of the land area of property that would be subject to service charges in the proposed special service district and owners of 25 percent or more of the net tax capacity of property that would be subject to service charges in the proposed special service district file a petition requesting a public hearing on the proposed action with the city clerk. In contrast, a special assessment can be initiated either by petition or by the Council itself. Finally, a hearing is required for each calendar year in \vhich a service charge is imposed within a special service district (~ 428A.03) unless the initial resolution imposing a service charge for more than one year meets the initial notice requirements of ~ 428A.I0. These notice requirements include an explanation of the maximum charge to be imposed in anyone year and the maximum number of years a charge will be imposed. D. Can a special service district be created to cover the cost of aesthetic improvements? Yes. Minn. Stat. 428A.0 1 states, "Special services has the meaning given in the city's ordinance but special services may not include a service that is ordinarily provided throughout the city from general fund revenues of the city unless an increased level of the service is provided in the special service district." This seems to give the City great latitude to include a purely aesthetic improvement as a "special service" under the statute. Furthermore, nothing in the statute authorizing the establishment of special service districts prohibits establishing such a district or imposing a charge for an aesthetic improvement. Finally, special assessments are allowed for aesthetic improvements, including planting, trimming, care and removal of trees on public streets (Minn. Stat. 429.021, subd. 1(7) and the beautification of streets and sidewalks (Minn. Stat. 429.021, subd. 1 (1)). As a result, because a special service district is an alternative to a special assessment, a special service district can be established to fund an aesthetic improvement. 2