06-28-2010 CCM SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 7 June 28, 2010 • Ms. Johnson stated city street department staff drive the roads and determines what improvements are needed. Mr. Hals stated about 10 years ago, a pavement management program was put into place. Factors that are considered are the age of the street and the condition of the street. Tami Wolcenski, 910 Elk Lane, requested the city not proceed with the improvements. Leon Beaudty, 851 Fawn Road, asked if the council would be able to determine when Elk Hills Drive would become an east/west road and asked about future sewer and water improvements if that occurs. He also had concerns with water runoff in the past and wanted to avoid having the runoff return if improvements are made. Mayor Klinzing stated the new city engineer, Mr. Femrite, will look into any concerns with water runoff. She stated the council will comment on the future of Elk Hills Drive after the public hearing. David Berglund, 801 Fawn Road, asked why assessments exist. He felt they were a painful and annoying process. Mayor Klinzing stated it's been a city polity for a long time. She stated some cities handle it differently. The council could in the future consider handling them differently. Councilmember Motin stated this has been addressed in the past. He said it's a system of checks and balances. The assessment process is the residents' way to come forth and provide • their input about the improvements, and if the improvements are made, see the work being done. Mr. Berglund stated he would prefer to have his property taxes cover road improvements. Unknown resident living on 202nd requested the city not proceed with the improvements. Mayor Klitizing closed the public hearing. Councilmember Westgaard stated he felt the projects shouldn't be completed at this time. He drove some of the roads in question and didn't feel they needed the work done. He suggested the industrial park area improvements be paid for by the city as a way to bring businesses into the city. He noted the city can't afford to pay for these improvements and didn't feel making the residents pay for it would be fair. Councilmember Westgaard stated public input shows that they don't think this is the right time to do these improvements. He stated the difficulty determining the future of Elk Hills Drive, as in 10-15 years, there will be different council members making decisions. The council's intent with assessing is not to assess any one property owner more than once in 15-20 years. Councilmember Gumphrey stated the future of Elk Hills Drive does depend on a number of things. He stated the area is adjusting to a different traffic flow with the opening of 193~d Avenue but it's too soon to tell if Elk Hills Drive would be extended through. Councilrnember Zerwas stated he agreed with Councilmembers Westgaard and Gumphrey. He felt the caveat of this is that city street department staff recommends that these roads be • improved. The economy brings extremely competitive bidding and thereby lowering assessments. He noted the cost in the future will be higher.