Revised special assessments for 2012-2014 Utility/Street Project will only raise funds for bond payments
At their Tuesday, December 16 meeting, the Mountain Lake City Council addressed a special assessments offer on the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project.
An offer was received by the city from Abbie Olson of Gislason & Hunter on behalf of 22 city property owners. In the proposed offer, the property owners were willing to forego their right to appeal special assessments to district court in exchange for a 50% reduction of special assessments on all parcels they own.
The council rejected the offer on a motion made by Council Member Brian Schultz and seconded by Council Member Andrew Ysker. Voting aye were Mayor Dean Janzen, Schultz and Ysker. Abstaining from the vote were Council Members David Savage and Darla Kruser.
Status of Utility/Street Project withdrawal, waivers
The council was updated on the number of withdrawals and waivers to date on special assessments connected to the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project. The preliminary financial impacts were discussed. It appears that the revised special assessments will raise sufficient funds for bond payments only. It had originally been planned that some funds raised through special assessments would be used to limit water and sewer rate increases.
The council had adjusted the computations on special assessments for property owners following a November 18 hearing.
Those decisions made on adjusting assessments include:
* All properties where no objection has been made will receive a 20% special assessment reduction.
* Property where an objection has been filed with the city administrator’s office will receive a 20% special assessment reduction when the objection is withdrawn and right to appeal to district court is waived. If not withdrawn and waived, the property will receive no special assessment reduction. Waivers will be available beginning this Monday, December 1, at Mountain Lake City Hall – and must be given to Mountain Lake City Administrator Wendy Meyer by 12 noon on Monday, December 22.
* Special assessments on homesteaded properties where no objection has been made or where the objection has been withdrawn and the right to appeal waived will not exceed $9,000 for parcel with one side assessed or $11,000 for a corner lot.
* Extra concrete work that the property owner requested is exempt from the $9,000/$11,000 cap.
* Undeveloped parcels where no objection has been made or where the objection is withdrawn and the right to appeal to district court is waived will received a 60% special assessment reduction.
* Owners of parcels now used for production of agriculture may apply for an ag deferment at the city administrator’s office. The special assessment is deferred until the parcel develops or for 20 years – whichever is sooner. Applications must be filed by 12 noon on Monday, December 22 at Mountain Lake City Hall.
In other business
* Clarified non-corner lots with frontage on two streets in connection with special assessments on the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project. The council had previously approved considering one side the “front lot” and the other side a “side lot” for special assessment purposes. The clarification notes that this change is not contingent upon the property owner withdrawing their objection.
* Approved the resignation of Bryan Bargen from the Utility Commission.
* Approved the resignation of Tim Janzen from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
* Heard from Mountain Lake Fire Chief Brian Janzen and three Mountain Lake Fire Department Officers David Watkins, Steve Peters and Tim Coners, that within a few years the department will need a new pumper with a current estimated cost of $350,000. The department is unlikely to qualify for a federal grant. The township contract rate in 2014 was $135 per section. This will increase $10 a section each year through 2018. The fire department feels it is necessary to begin to build reserves for the pumper and other needs. They are requesting that the townships add a $175 per section fire equipment fund fee, beginning in 2016. Council members approved the addition of the fee. The fire department will meet with township boards in early 2015 to discuss the need and the additional fee.
* Approved the revised Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training agreement following its updating and council review.
* Reviewed a draft compensation plan for the 2015 budget., It will be c0nsidered at the Monday, December 22 council meeting. The proposed levy is a 405% increase over 2014. The council approved the 2015 levy of $604,823.33, along with a 2015 budget with revenues and expenses of $2,128,248.03.
* Reviewed and discussed the 2015 Utility budgets. As a condition of receiving low-interest Public Facilities Authority (PFA) funding for the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project, the city agreed to raise water and sewer rates 2% per year for the life of the 20-year loan. The Utility Commission recommended that the Conservation Improvement Plan (CIP) surcharge of 3% on electricity sold be decreased by 1.5%. The council adopted the Utility budgets as presented, as well as the water and sewer rates and CIP surcharge.
* Determined the 2015 council meeting schedule and liaison appointments. They will be formally adopted at the Monday, January 5, 2015 council meeting.
* Adopted the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #578 adding a Health Care Savings Plan as a retirement benefit, and also amended existing union contract language and non-union employment policy to the Plan.
* Reviewed the remaining 2015 openings on city Commissions and Boards.
* Reviewed a request to consider revisions to the city’s tobacco licensing ordinance. Mountain Lake City Attorney Maryellen Suhrhoff recommended no revisions at this time.
* Tabled the evaluation of Mountain Lake City Administrator Wendy Meyer until the Monday, December 22 meeting.
* During the Public Forum portion of the meeting agenda, Rachel Yoder talked to the council about the Mountain Lake Trail.
