Finance & Improvements Committee

FINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE October 1, 2013 Page 1 Members Present: Frantsvog, Frey, Jantzer, B. Miller, Moen, Olson. Members Absent: Seymour. Others Present: City Clerk, City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, Public Works Director, Finance Director, Assistant Public Works Director, Police Chief, Captain Strandberg, Fire Chief, Assistant City Assessor, Airport Director, Recreation/Auditorium Director, Public Information Officer, Traffic Engineer, Treasurer, Jill Schramm, Aldermen Hatlelid, and Lehner. To the Honorable Mayor and All Aldermen: Following are the recommendations of the Finance and Improvements Committee meeting called to order at 4:15 p.m. on October 1, 2013: 1. That the City Council approve the 2013 Weed Cutting & Miscellaneous Assessment in the total amount of $4,825, and the 2013 Home Demolition Assessments in the total amount of $37,528.44. ********** The above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson, and carried unanimously. 2. That the City Council approve the EPA Brownsfield Grant and decision of the selection Committee; and authorize the City Engineer to negotiate a contract with Stantec; and further authorize the Mayor to sign the contract on the City’s behalf. ********** The above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson, and carried unanimously. 3. That the City Council approve the request by Minot Park District to place a statue west of the Broadway Bridge near the signal of 4th Avenue and Broadway. ********** The above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson, and carried unanimously. 4. That the City Council place and pass an Ordinance amending the 2013 Capital Purchase Fund and authorize the Police Department to proceed with the purchase of the equipment. ********** The above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson, and carried unanimously. FINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE October 1, 2013 Page 2 5. That the City Council approve the Prairie Wynd development agreement; and further authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. ********** The above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson, and carried unanimously. 6. That the City Council modify the Special Assessment Policy as such: a. Assessment Time Period: Generally, special assessments will be spread over a time period of 20 years from the date of certification by the Ward County Auditor. However, the City Finance Director can suggest a lesser time period if it is in the best interest of the City, and as approved by the City Council. b. Special Assessment Pre-Payment Policy: The 35% pre-payment will be allocated to the petitioner’s parcels receiving benefit and taken into account after the special assessment commission determines the benefit to each parcel. ********** The above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson, and carried unanimously. 7. That City Council approve the Amended Program for Voluntary and Involuntary Acquisition/Buyout of Real Estate as follows: a. Those homeowners that have not rehabilitated will be offered their property pre-flood assessed value, plus an additional 15%. b. Those homes that have been rehabilitated will be offered a price given the current market value of their property. ********** The above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson. Ted and Alyce Selfors, 609 2nd Ave NE, appeared to express their concerns with the lengthy process to buyout their property. The Finance Director indicated the buyout process was continuing to move forward this fall as funds become available. The process is based on a phasing approach by the consulting engineers who have determined what is most beneficial to obtain flood protection. The Finance Director commented that Mr. Selfors’ home was demolished through the bid process and was awaiting buyout; however, the property was not identified in the initial phasing. Alderman Jantzer explained there are limitations to where and how funding can be spent. Whereupon, a vote was taken on the above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Olson and carried unanimously. FINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE October 1, 2013 Page 3 8. That the City Council deny the request to fund Bolton Heights utility upsizing costs. B. Miller moved to approve utility upsizing costs at Bolton Heights to be financed with water and sewer utility bonds, seconded by Moen. The City Engineer explained in the past work for this type of project would be bonded with water and sewer bonds and paid back through connection fees to the utilities. He continued by saying Bolton Heights is the first project in this area to develop utilities and the developer was told costs would need to be paid up-front. He also explained the City has never done a project of this size. This project is proposed to be built to the City of Minot specifications with thought to future development in the area. The City Engineer commented that this is an at risk project to the developer; however, the developer would need to receive direction from the City Council to move ahead with the project as proposed. Finance Director Hemphill explained funds for the upsizing costs would come from water and sewer utility bonds which would affect rates in 2015, as these costs would be bonded in 2014. The City will also have various projects in 2014 that would need to be bonded with water and sewer utility bonds. This too will affect 2015 rates. She continued with saying there is no way to determine how long it would take to recoup upsizing costs from this project through connection fees to future developments. Alderman Frantsvog expressed disappointment that Committee and Council are being approached with costs of this project at such a late date. He commented there seemed to be added pressure to approve this project to allow it to move ahead. He continued by saying he does not support the City paying the upsizing costs since the developer did not follow due process. Alderman B. Miller stated he had reservations in the project, but he does not want to stand in the way of the developer providing needed housing. Whereupon, a vote was taken on the above motion by Alderman B. Miller, seconded by Alderman Moen and was defeated by the following roll call vote: Ayes; Jantzer, B. Miller, Nays: Frey, Frantsvog, Moen, Olson, ********** There being no further business, Chairman Jantzer adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Jundt, City Clerk