City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council Workshop Thursday, December 7, 2017 6:30 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:30 p.m. 2 Roll Call Councilmember Swanson recused himself from discussing this item due to prior property ownership on Hastings Street. Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Clark Arneson; Planning and Community Development Director Bryan Schafer; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Police Captain Dan Szykulski; Finance Director Joe Huss; Economic Development Coordinator Erik Thorvig; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Engineer Jean Keely; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; Budget/Fiscal Analyst Ward Brown; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 5 - Councilmember Clark, Councilmember King, Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Jeppson, and Mayor Ryan Absent: 2 - Councilmember Hovland, and Councilmember Swanson 3 New Business 3-1 OPTIONS FOR HASTINGS STREET ASSESSMENTS City Manager Arneson discussed the history of the Hastings Street reconstruction project. He explained the reconstruction included the removal of the road and base, the rebuilding of the road, storm sewer improvements, watermain replacement, and curb and gutter. The improvements were funded through a 2016 bond issue pursuant to State Statutes 429 and 475, where levied assessments were identified to help repay the bonds. He described the rain event that occurred on September 21st and noted how this adversely impacted the project and 19 homes. He requested feedback from the Council on how to handle the assessments for Hastings Street. Staff encouraged the Council to treat all homeowners the same. City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes December 7, 2017 Councilmember Clark asked if the street was finished. City Manager Arneson reported the street was finished. He noted on a minor bit of pond work remained. Mayor Ryan said he supported the assessments moving forward as is for all property owners. Councilmember Clark questioned if there was an alternative available to selectively defer assessments for the 19 properties that were impacted. City Manager Arneson commented the City already issued debt for this project and it was either all or nothing. Councilmember Jeppson asked how many homes were included within the improvement project. City Manager Arneson stated there were 104 homes in the project area. Councilmember Clark said he supported the City moving forward with the assessments as proposed. Councilmember King commented if the assessments were to move forward as is, the homeowners would have the right to appeal and the City could address their concerns at that time. Councilmember Clark requested further information on the assessment appeal process. Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Therres discussed the assessment appeal process with the Council. Councilmember Garvais and Councilmember Jeppson said they supported the City moving forward with the full assessments. Council consensus was to move forward with fully assessing all properties. Discussed; direction to staff. ADJOURN The Workshop was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. to enter into a Closed Session meeting to discuss Hastings Street pending litigation. Adjourned City of Blaine Page 2