Mountain Lake City Council clarifies that question for special assessment purposes
At their Tuesday, December 2 meeting, the Mountain Lake City Council clarified a question that city staff and the public had asked – What is an undeveloped parcel?
That query was posed in connection with special assessments on undeveloped parcels in relation to the city’s 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project.
As part of the previous revisions made to the special assessment roll, the special assessments on undeveloped parcels were reduced by 60%; which made the answer to the question an important one.
Various factors as to what is an undeveloped parcel were considered.
There are four parcels in the city that are a block long, and run from a street on the south edge of the property to a street on the north edge of the property. Currently both sides are being assessed as front lots. There has been a request that one of the sides be assessed as a front lot and the other as a side lot.
Discussed separately were the six parcels owned by Mountain Lake Christian (MLC) that received special assessments. Attending the meeting to receive clarification was Steve Dick, MLC building chair.
After reviewing what factors make an undeveloped parcel, and looking at the MLC parcels, council members eventually decided that for the purposes of the special assessment roll, an undeveloped parcel is one that has on it no permanent structures (with no foundations) and is not a parking lot improved with gravel, concrete, asphalt and other surfacing materials (a parcel is considered developed if it has permanent structures and improved parking lots) . They also agreed to assess four block-long parcels as having one front lot and one side lot.
The council additionally looked at the property parcel on which the MLC’s holding pond is located. The pond is also used by the city. After discussion, the council reduced that parcel’s special assessments by 60% because it is undeveloped.
Possible changes to council meeting calendar
New two-year Council Member Darla Kruser, who is now serving, explained to the council that she will be taking Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training January through April. The class meets Monday evenings, which will conflict with council meetings.
There was discussion on changing council meetings from the first and third Mondays of the month during that four-month span to a more suitable day.
The matter will be further discussed at the Tuesday, December 16 council meeting.
In other business
* Reviewed the 2015 budget and levy. The preliminary levy was set at an increase of 10%. The 2015 budget will require an increase of 4.9% if no additional reductions are made. The preliminary levy can be reduced – but not increased.
Additionally looked at was the budget of the Mountain Lake Fire Department, specifically future equipment purchases. Council members have requested that fire department officers attend the December 16 council meeting to further discuss the matter.
The impact of the decision to reduce the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project special assessments is still being determined. The council discussed the possibility of increasing the levy more than 4.9% to offset the loss of revenue from special assessments.
* Heard from several residents who addressed the council on the increased value of their property. It was explained that the residents need to attend the Board of Review and Equalization, usually held in May, to question their property’s value.
* Heard from three property owners concerning special assessments on their properties:
The owner of property at 614 11th Street requested a reduction of 260 square feet of drive-way concrete from their special assessment. According to the owner, the contractor was careless and caused damage, requiring additional concrete to be replaced. The council approved to reduce the amount of driveway concrete assessed by 260 square feet.
As presented by the property owner at 1315 6th Avenue, the driveway’s new concrete was sawed incorrectly, creating a cosmetic flaw. After some discussion, the council and property owner agreed that, in the future, when the driveway is replaced, compensation will be determined.
The owner of property at 520 10th Street North is asking that his two adjoining parcels be considered one for assessment purposes. This would reverse the front lot/side lot designations. The council took no action on this request.
* Heard about a request to revise Section 6.31 of the Mountain Lake City Code related to Tobacco Licensing. A member of the Des Moines Health and Human Services staff has prepared a draft amending that section, and is asking the city to consider its adoption. The council questioned which amendments are required by law. Mountain Lake City Attorney Maryellen Suhrhoff will research the matter.
* Reviewed the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust 2014-2015 coverage changes, rates and dividends memo, with no action taken.
* Closed the meeting at 8:35 p.m. per attorney-client privilege in discussion on Kuechle v. City of Mountain Lake. The meeting reopened at 8:50 p.m., with no action taken.
* Learned that the amount of the Rural Development loan for fire-fighting equipment has been reduced from $43,000 to $32,00. Because of that change, the council passed a revised resolution to reflect the change. The loan is for five years with a 4% interest rate. The closing was on Friday, December 5.
