05-04-06 PHITEM 3_3
PUBLIC HEARING
Improvement Project for CSAH 42 (Parrish Avenue)
From CSAH 39 thru 85th Street
Thursday, May 4, 2006
7 PM, Otsego City Hall
1. Mayor Fournier will open the Public Hearinq.
Mayor Fournier opened the Public Hearing at 7:05 PM.
Judy Hudson attested that all the proper publishing, posting and noticing was
completed.
Roll Call: Mayor Larry Fournier; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Dan
Scharber, Jessica Stockamp and Mark Thorsted.
Staff: Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Judy Hudson, City Clerk/Zoning
Administrator; Andrew MacArthur, City Attorney, Daniel Licht, City Planner; Ron
Wagner, City Engineer; Joe Pelawa, Associate Engineer and Jim Johnson,
Associate Engineer.
2. City Attorney comments.
Mr. MacArthur explained the purpose of the Public Hearing in accordance with
State Statute 429.
3. Project presentation by City Engineer.
Mr. Wagner briefly explained the proposed project and declared that this project
is feasible.
Joe Pelawa presented the attached information for the reconstruction of CSAH 42
(Parrish Avenue) from CSAH 39 through 85th Street.
4. Public Comments.
Kathy Coles, 90th Street, asked if there are plans for CSAH 39 west of Parrish
Avenue as she is concerned with the two lanes of CSAH 42 northbound traffic
turning onto west bound CSAH 39 and merging into one lane. Mr. Pelawa said
there are currently no plans to expand west bound CSAH 39.
Judy Flemmer, 90th Street, asked what the future plans are for CSAH 39. Mr.
Wagner explained that this is a County road and will most likely be upgraded to a
four lane some time in the future. She stated support for this project.
Ted Flemmer, 90th Street, stated he feels this is a good project but that he wants
the City to address CSAH 39 at this time. He also presented a letter to the City
Clerk objecting to the assessment and to defer the assessment and interest until
the use of their property changes.
Mr. MacArthur explained that objections to the assessment need to be done at
the time of the Public Hearing for Assessments on this project.
Tim Smith, 85th Street mini storage, asked about the necessity and
determination of the stop lights at 85th Street at this time and how it will benefit
him. He also questioned if it is needed at this time.
Public Hearing of May 4, 2006. Page 2.
Jim Johnson explained that they reviewed information on traffic this development
will generate and other factors which warranted a traffic signal. Mr. Wagner
explained that the County is requiring this signal at this time. He also explained
the method the City used to determine the increase of valuation this
improvement project will add to his property. Mr. Wagner explained the three
tiers of assessments over this area. Mr. MacArthur explained the benefit is based
on increase in the fair market value and the assessed value is to be done as
fairly as possible allocating the fair market value. Mr. MacArthur also explained
Mr. Smith has the right to appeal his assessment at the time of the Assessment
Public Hearing.
Bob Fields, LandCor, has a purchase order on the Friendship Baptist Church
property. He is also concerned with the increase of traffic on west bound CSAH
39 and if the improvement of CSAH 39 west of CSAH 42 should also be included
in this project. Mr. Fields stated support for the proposed improvement project
of CSAH 42.
Chas Kolles, 90th Street, questioned why weren't all the affected property
owners invited to the meeting held April 25, 2006. He also asked why have two
left turn lanes from CSAH 42 to CSAH 39 but just have one single lane. Mr.
Kolles also stated the property owners on the north side of CSAH 39 should be
assessed if CSAH 39 is improved.
Mr. MacArthur explained the meeting on April 25th was just with property
owners that the City is getting easements from.
Bill Erhart, Friendship Baptist Church, stated support for CSAH 39 improvement if
the 88th Street is constructed.
Kathy Coles supported only one left turn lane onto CSAH 39 and if so, she
supports this project.
Ron Wagner said he would need to review.
George Sebeck, Parrish Avenue, asked if CSAH 42 will stay as a County Road
from TH101 north and he is concerned with CSAH 42 merging from 4 lanes into
2 lanes. He feels there should be a passing lane at the school entrance. Mayor
Fournier stated that CSAH 42 will remain as a County Road.
Kathy Coles stated that if 88th Street would go she would be surrounded by
streets on three sides of her property and spoke against constructing 88th
Street.
Judy Flemmer agreed with Kathy Coles comments and that 88th Street would
divide this area up.
Dan Licht explained that the intent of the street is that it would be constructed
as this area develops.
Tim Neibling, 90th street, stated that at this point he feels it is too early to
establish 88th street and it is better left alone until we see flow the Great River
Public Hearing of May 4, 2006. Page 2.
Centre is developed. He is opposed to 88th Street as it would only serve the
corner parcel and none of the rest of the properties.
Bob Fields explained he needs every inch of his property and needs 88th Street
and he also feels that 88th Street would help the traffic on CSAR 39. He said the
other property owners aren't selling at this point.
Judy Flemmer disagreed that most properties are for sale and that this area will
develop but not right now and doesn't see 88th Street as a benefit.
Tim Neibling said he has lived by this intersection (39/42) for 20 years and he
doesn't have the problems with traffic as his neighbors to the west of him have
and he wouldn't be in favor of a median going in past his driveway and would
prefer to deal with this when the County upgrades CSAH 39.
Phil Erhart stated that he feels if 88th Street is constructed the value of all these
properties will go up and encouraged the City Council to consider its
construction.
Dan Licht said if the Friendship Baptist Church land develops, the City will have
the developer construct 88th Street.
Kevin Lefebvre, Parrish Avenue, asked if the median going in on 85th Street will
block access to his property.
Mr. Wagner replied that no median is going in at this time, just the stripping.
CM Heidner explained that 85th Street is being planned to eventually go all the
way across the City, which will help relieve traffic on CSAH 39.
5. Close the Public Hearing,
Mayor Fournier closed the Public Hearing at 8:34 PM.
6. City Council Discussion.
CM Scharber motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Heidner. All in
favor. Motion carried.
Adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Mayor Larry Fournier
ATTEST:
Judy Hudson