November 8, 2021 City Council Meeting
Monday, November 8, 2021
2021 Street Project Assessments
Public Hearing on Proposed Assessments
Assessment Policy Review and Methodology
Individual Property Owner Objections to Assessments
Procedures for Assessing Special Benefits
City Infrastructure Improvement Project Overview
Areas of Interest (5)
- Rising municipal infrastructure costs fueling resident pushback against assessment policies.
- Mayer Lutheran High School challenges special assessment as illegal given declining property values.
- Questions of equity: Are residential property owners subsidizing non-residential infrastructure usage?
- City faces potential litigation and legal costs due to contested special assessment roll.
- Transparency concerns regarding the inclusion of non-project costs (parking) in residential assessments.
Votes (2)
Approval of agenda
Moved by Not stated · Seconded by Not stated
Approval of consent agenda
Moved by Not stated · Seconded by Not stated
Notable Quotes (2)
If somebody contests their assessment and was able to show the benefit wasn't there, that is a city cost.
We would respectfully ask that the assessment made to Mayer Lutheran High School, we would respectfully challenge that.
People (8)
DodgeMayorPresides over the council meeting and facilitates public testimony.
Presides over the council meeting and facilitates public testimony.
MaggieCity StaffProvides administrative context for the public hearing process.
1 quote
Provides administrative context for the public hearing process.
“The council is being asked to conduct a public hearing which will begin with a presentation from the city engineer.”
Explaining the sequence of events for the public hearing.
DaveCity EngineerPresents project scope, cost breakdowns, and assessment methodologies.
1 quote
Presents project scope, cost breakdowns, and assessment methodologies.
“The assessment policy that has been used on this and past projects is that streets are assessed 30% by adjusted front footage.”
Explaining the cost-sharing formula for residents.
Joel Lance CranerExecutive DirectorRepresenting Mayer Lutheran High School; challenging assessment based on property value decline.
1 quote
Representing Mayer Lutheran High School; challenging assessment based on property value decline.
“The assessment cannot exceed the special benefit to the property as measured by increased value to the land.”
Citing legal standard for special assessments.
Susie PoplarResidentExpresses concern regarding high assessment costs and potential school usage of public streets.
1 quote
Expresses concern regarding high assessment costs and potential school usage of public streets.
“It's a lot of money; $20,000 assessment over 15 years, we'll pay $30,000.”
Discussing the financial burden of the project assessments.
Troy PuckettResidentQueries whether project costs include site restoration for properties without sod/driveways.
1 quote
Queries whether project costs include site restoration for properties without sod/driveways.
“I just want to see in writing that I did not get included in that since I don't have grass yet.”
Requesting clarification on assessment calculations.
Josh CindellierResidentQuestions the inclusion of non-street project components in the assessment calculation.
1 quote
Questions the inclusion of non-street project components in the assessment calculation.
“Seems like it was just an even divide by four. I'm wondering if that parking was added into that.”
Questioning if the parking lot was unfairly assessed to residents.
JeffResidentLong-term resident questioning the cost relative to the limited use of the street.
1 quote
Long-term resident questioning the cost relative to the limited use of the street.
“I'm being assessed for over $24,000 and I'm trying to understand that.”
Expressing frustration over the total assessment amount.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (5)
- November 8th, 2021 City Council Meeting
- October 11, 2021: Public Hearing Date Set
- January 19, 2021: Virtual Open House
- January 25, 2021: Improvement Hearing
- March 22, 2021: Bid Award Hearing