06-25-1992 - JOINT - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . ~ity Council/Sherburne County Board Minutes June 25, 1992 Page 2 system. The City indicated that it would be willing to pay fair market value for this land (about 2 acres at a minimum). Commissioners questioned whether or not the zoning of the property for the Fairgrounds affects the assessment amounts. The City Engineer indicated that zoning is not relevant to the trunk or lateral assessments for sanitary sewer and water. Commissioners questioned whether or not the assessments amounts exceed the benefit to the property. It was noted that it may be in the County's best interest to obtain appraisal for the Fairgrounds in order to determine whether or not the assessments exceed the benefit and in order to determine the fair value of the land that the City needs for the Parkway. A City appraisal from 1989 indicates that the assessment amounts do not exceed the benefit. A general discussion took place regarding the County Fair and options that the County has for the Fair in future years. Discussion included the possibility of moving the Fairground and also allowing the Fairgrounds to be used for other activities throughout the calendar year on a rental basis in order to generate additional revenues. County Commissioners indicated their strong desire to have the assessments to the Fairground reduced. Councilmember Holmgren presented the concept of the City purchasing all or part of the Fairground property in order to ensure that the Fair remains in Elk River and in order to obtain control over the parking area adjacent to the softball complex. County staff and City staff were directed to further discuss options for the County as it relates to the proposed assessments to the Fairgrounds and the need for the City to obtain property from the County for extension of the Parkway. DISCUSSION ON DITCH 28 County Coordinator, David Loch, indicated that Ditch 28 is 13.15 miles in length and has three different "legs" which flow into the Elk River. The areas of concern are some tiles in Elk River that are crushed or blocked in various locations which stops the flow of water and causes water to back up onto residential property. It was indicated that the ditch was installed in 1922 and that the county has responsibility for maintenance of the ditches. Discussion took place regarding the assessments for ditch work and it was noted that ~he costs are passed on to the benefitted property owners which includes the City and County for the streets. A Determination of Benefit was discussed and it was noted that this process is very costly and also assessed to the benefitted property owners in the district. It was noted that it would cost about $30,000 to do a Determination of Benefit and up to 1.5 million dollars to upgrade the ditch system.