Laserfiche WebLink
City council Minutes <br />October 5, 2015 <br />Page 3 <br />Mayor Dietz felt property owners were given ample time to hook up and doesn't <br />think it is fair to those who have hooked up if the city doesn't make the others hook <br />up. He would like to have a discussion with Attorney Beck regarding enforcement, <br />Attorney Beck explained current enforcement is by way of not issuing permits for <br />new or failing septic or wells and requiring connection at time of sale. <br />Mayor Dietz stated he was on the Council when the city water and sewer was <br />installed in the Highland area and he didn't think it was fair for those people not to <br />be forced to hook up as other developments were not given the option to wait. <br />Councilmember Wagner questioned what happens after the sunset date. Mayor Dietz <br />explained property owners will no longer receive city assistance and will be <br />responsible for financing the connections on their own. <br />Councilmember Burandt questioned what action a property owner has to take before <br />the sunset date in order to qualify for the incentive program. Mr. Femrite indicated a <br />petition would need to be submitted by November 15 in order for staff to process <br />the paperwork and certify it with Sherburne County. <br />Councilmember Burandt expressed concern with forcing property owners to hook <br />up in this time of economic hardship. Mayor Dietz stated a majority of these <br />property owners were supposed to hook. up years ago and have had ample time to <br />comply. He added the city initiated this incentive program in hopes of assisting <br />property owners with the connections. <br />Councilmember Wagner questioned how many property owners responded to the <br />recent reminder. Ms. Fischer stated -a few have responded but the response is much <br />lower than staff had hoped. Mr. Femrite indicated he been contacted by less than <br />10% of the remaining property owners. <br />Moved by Mayor Dietz and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to <br />terminate the incentive program for the payment and assessment for <br />connections as scheduled on December 31, 2015. Motion carried 4-0. <br />Mr. Adams presented the staff report, <br />Mayor Dietz provided some additional background explaining it is difficult to serve <br />on a commission of three. He stated he would like to have the option for two <br />Councilmembers to serve on the commission. Attorney Beck indicated language <br />allowing for up to two Councilmembers would need to be included in the legislation. <br />Mayor Dietz would also like to make it a policy for at least one person on the <br />commission to be serviced by city water.