02-04-2013 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes February 4, 2013 Page 3 Jim Stenglein, 14199 — 202.d Avenue, questioned the project cost increase compared to the cost outlined for the proposed improvements in 2010. He asked if the city had plans for future expansion of city sewer and water in this area. He felt the road didn't receive a proper initial overlay, typical maintenance, and felt it unfair to assess property owners for 100% of project costs. Mr. Femrite stated the preliminary project costs for the 2010 improvements were projected lower than what they probably should have been. He stated since this area is located outside of the urban service district, the city had no plans at this time to expand sewer and water. Alberto Sanudo, 13416 Riverview Drive and owner of 318 Irving, asked if natural gas service could be expanded into this area. He explained his property is used as a rental, and his tenants deal with higher heating costs without natural gas service. Mr. Femrite stated they will be contacting CenterPoint Energy asking them to consider expand natural gas service to this area during this project. Jean Keely, 14084 — 202nd Avenue, stated she was one of the property owners that had signed the 2010 petition asking the Council at that time to not complete the street improvements. She stated the road is currently showing its age and wondered if the city should consider doing full-depth reclamation of the road instead of an overlay based upon the estimated assessment cost. She asked if the city had an estimated interest rate for the proposed assessments. She also requested an update on the potential franchise fee. Mr. Femrite stated based on the condition of the road and the additional edge deterioration, he agreed to that possibility and would ask to price out the cost of full-depth reclamation. He stated the interest rate and assessment amount would be set at the assessment hearing, scheduled for May, 2013. Mayor Dietz asked if Mr. Femrite could provide an update on the idea of a proposed franchise fee to fund the pavement management program. Mr. Femrite stated the City Council has reviewed the pavement management program and funding options over the past 7 months. The long term funding and the viability of our current system was considered and Council has discussed the most economical ways to maintain our system over the next 50 years. One option being discussed is the opportunity to fund these pavement management projects through a user fee or franchise fee. This option is being considered but it has yet to come forward for final approval. Staff is currently working on a communications plan to solicit input from the public on this option. This will include direct mailings and a blog on the city website to answer questions ahead of consideration of the Council. The Council is tentatively scheduled to consider this option mid - April, ahead of an assessment hearing for the proposed 2013 Improvement project. Currently the project has been developed to follow existing City policies and past practices with property assessments funding a portion of the project costs. Councilmember Westgaard outlined the benefits and challenges of implementing a franchise fee to fund street improvements for both residential and commercial property owners, and how to transition from the city's current policy of assessing property owners for improvement projects to imposing a monthly franchise fee, also recognizing that a property owner shouldn't pay both a franchise fee on top of already imposed assessments. He stated this would be a complete policy change for the city and will be reviewing other cities to learn how they've transitioned to a franchise fee.