10-12-1992 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . City Council Minutes October 12, 1992 Page 2 COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/5/92 MINUTES AS AMENDED. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULDT SECONDED THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. CITY COUNCIL MOTION. THE 4. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 5. Consider Adoption of Western Area Assessment Roll Pat Klaers, City Administrator, stated that at the September 28, 1992, City Council meeting, the Council held a public hearing regarding the Western Area Assessment Project. He indicated that one major issue that was left undecided related to the farm land properties that were proposed to be assessed for the trunk water and sewer improvements. Pat Klaers stated that the Council must decide whether the farm properties should be assessed as originally proposed or whether it would be appropriate to provide some type of alternative relating to the assessment and the interest on the Green Acre properties. Pat Klaers stated that the City staff has completed a survey regarding agricultural land assessments. He stated that most of the municipalities surveyed assess the agricultural land. He further stated that there were some municipalities that worked with the agricultural land owners and excluded or delayed the assessment to the land. He stated that staff is recommending that the Council assess the properties as originally proposed. Mayor Tralle opened the public hearing. Irv Moldenhauer stated that if their property was assessed as originally proposed, all the lots would have to be sold right away in order to compensate for the assessment cost. He stated he would prefer to develop the property in phases and requested that only a portion of his property be assessed. Rich Kincanon stated that he explored the possibility of developing his property and found that the money is not available to develop the property. He stated that if his property were assessed as proposed and he deferred the assessment to the Green Acres law, the interest on his land would amount to $1,500 per month. He stated he would prefer not to have his property assessed. Bud Houlton stated that the assessment must be based on the benefit to the property. He indicated that the existing value of the property is $600 per acre and that the assessment would increase the value 723%. He stated it is his intention not to develop the property. Bud Houlton referenced a State Statute which allowed deferments of assessments to certain properties. He requested the Council to consider this option. Peter Beck, the City's Attorney, stated that there are three Statutes that apply to the proposed deferment of assessments. One of them is the Green Acres Statute M.S. 273.111 Subd. 11, which allows payment of the assessment to be deferred, however, interest of the assessment continues to accrue.