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City Council Minutes <br /> April 4, 1988 <br /> • Bud Houlton, property owner, indicated his support for the project. He <br /> stated that creating an environment and atmosphere for the downtown area <br /> is very important. Mr. Houlton stated the First National Bank would be <br /> willing to contribute one extra unit ($3,750) towards the cost of the <br /> project. <br /> Duane Kropuenske, Senior Officer of the First National Bank, indicated <br /> he was in favor of the project. Mr. Kropuenske stated that by adding up <br /> the total assessment ,and dividing it out on a per month basis, the <br /> figure is somewhere around $30 to $40 per month. He indicated this is a <br /> relatively small price to pay to attract business to Elk River. <br /> Mr. Ron Kuhn, property and business owner, stated his opposition due to <br /> the fact that the commercial properties west of Lowell are not included <br /> - in the assessment district and also that the properties east of his <br /> business will receive more benefit than his property. He indicated he <br /> would like to see the project vetoed until the Council has a chance to <br /> look at the benefitting properties and assess them according to benefit <br /> received. <br /> Mike Rafferty proposed a different assessment method at this -time which <br /> he indicated was a more fair method than that being proposed by the City <br /> Council. He indicated that his method would increase the financial <br /> burden of the large properties and decrease the financial responsibility <br /> of the smaller properties. This proposal is placed on record with the <br /> • official City Council minutes. <br /> Mr. Jim Mulroy, business owner of Snyder Drug, indicated that he is in <br /> favor of the project. <br /> Mr. Rob VanValkenberg, property and business owner of three parcels, <br /> indicated he was in favor of the project. <br /> Councilmember Tralle indicated that both the Governor's Design Team and <br /> the 2001 group have heavily encouraged the City to work on the downtown <br /> area. He indicated the downtown beautification would serve as a major <br /> focal part of the community and it would encourage retail growth and <br /> also encourage people to shop in the downtown area. Councilmember <br /> Tralle stated that the front footage assessment method was unfair in <br /> that the large property owners do not receive much more benefit than the <br /> small property owners. He further indicated that the Council should <br /> possibly look at extending the assessment district to the commercial <br /> properties west of Lowell since these properties are within a <br /> commercially zoned area. <br /> Robert Dare, business owner and property owner, stated that he is not <br /> against the cost of the project but opposes the fact that the commercial <br /> properties west of Lowell Avenue are not included. <br /> Elmer Anderson, property and business owner, thanked the Council for all <br /> theyhave done so far for the downtown beautification project. He <br /> indicated his support of the project. <br /> Mr. Keith Holme, business owner, indicated his support for the project. <br />