08-17-2015 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 6 August 17, 2015 Council reconvened at 6:30 p.m.. Residents came late to the meeting and requested the Acting Mayor allow them to speak under Open Forum. Elizabeth Lies and Angie Gerou presented information regarding their Proposal of the Elk River Ambassador and Royalty Program and distributed handouts to the council. They asked for financial support from the city to create this ambassadorship. Acting Mayor Burandt thanked Ms. Lies and Ms. Gerou for the information and indicated this item will be placed on a future work session for discussion. 9.1 Policy Discussion: Maintenance of Common Areas in Developments Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. He outlined in a PowerPoint presentation the increase in complaints regarding common lots and their features which require costs associated with landscape maintenance and utilities. The common lots include development entrance signs in an easement on a buildable lot, landscaping within city right-of-way, or on a private lot without a maintenance agreement. He showed examples in the city and requested discussing the following possible options: Leave the common area as -is until they become a public nuisance and assess costs associated as such to the property owner. Maintain the common areas and assess the cost associated as such to the property , owner, Maintain the common areas and assess the cost as such to the entire development or subdivision. Maintain the common areas and do not: assess any costs of such maintenance. Mr. Carlton stated the importance of drafting a policy to craft language ensuring development and planned unit development (PUD) agreements cover who is responsible for future maintenance and upkeep of common areas. He also suggested an ordinance to identify when the city may assume maintenance and where the billing would go. Councilmember Burandt indicated her concerns with the neighborhoods thatinclude boulevards or medians requiring maintenance and the financial impact to both homeowners or the city to maintain them. She indicated the need to create city-wide consistency with whatever is decided. Councilmernber Westgaard agreed with Counciltnernber Burandt and expressed his concern with the costs associated with not only the boulevards but the larger monument signs and improvements like the clock tower that create a more costly issue.