04-24-03 PHITEM
CITY OF OTSEGO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PUBLIC HEARING
STORMWATER CHARGES
SOUTH SUB -DISTRICT STORM SEWER SYSTEM FOR THE
EAST COMMERCIAL AREA OF THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI
WATERSHED DISTRICT
THURSDAY
APRIL 24, 2003
7PM
1. Mayor Fournier will call the meeting to order.
Mayor Fournier called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Larry Fournier; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Virginia
Wendel, Jerry Struthers and Dan Scharber.
Staff: Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Judy Hudson, City Clerk/Zoning
Administrator; Ron Wagner, City Engineer and Andrew MacArthur, City Attorney.
2. Explanation of Hearing Process by Andrew MacArthur City Attorney.
Mr. MacArthur explained the Public Hearing for the proposed the Stormwater Impact
Fees. Two properties, the Christ Lutheran Church and The Bank of Elk River, are the
only properties being charged since they are the only ones developed at this time. Final
determination of the fee and any credits will be made by the City Council at a City
Council Meeting. Mr. MacArthur discussed this with John Babcock from The Bank of
Elk River, who was unable to attend the Public Hearing. The Bank faxed a letter
(attached).
3_. City Engineer Ron WaLmer.
Ron Wagner gave a brief history and description of this project. Ron also went over the
costs as outlined in his attached October 10, 2002 memorandum.
4. hearing opened for Public Comments
Mayor Fournier opened the Hearing at 7:17 PM. Judy Hudson attested the proper
noticing and publishing was done.
Jean Kincannon, 8478 Nashua Avenue, attended on behalf of Christ Lutheran Church.
She asked for compensation for the easement given to the City for the ditch. Mrs.
Kincannon stated it was suggested by the City to get an appraisal. Mark Lucas, treasurer
and finance advisor for Christ Lutheran Church and Mrs. Kincannon met with Mike
Robertson and gave a copy of their appraisal to him. The appraisal suggested a value of
$2.83 a square foot. The Church requests for the City to pay in cash the assessed value
and charge the Church the impact fee and assess it over ten years. CM Heidner said at
$2.83 a square foot that would work out to be $123,274 per acre at the time of taking.
Public Hearing of April 24, 2003. Page 2.
5. Any Council Discussion.
Ron Wagner noted this would have been appraised prior to the Waterfront Development.
Mr. MacArthur stated the easement was conveyed on October 12, 2000 and the date of
appraisal was November of 2001 and the easement was conveyed prior to sewer and
water extension. Land for the Waterfront Development was sold for $1.75 per square
foot just prior to this.
Mayor Fournier stated he felt the Church should be compensated for the easement and the
Council needs to arrive at the best way to do that.
CM Heidner stated he doesn't have a problem paying for the easement, but all
landowners giving up easements must be treated the same.
Mr. MacArthur stated that when the Church was originally approached, the City was
looking at pre -sewer costs of $30,000 per acre.
Mayor Fournier asked if the Bank was compensated for any easement. Mike Robertson
replied that they were not.
Mark Lucas stated the Church was forced to petition for sewer and water and that their
septic and well would have been fine.
CM Heidner responded that when the Church requested their second expansion they were
made well aware that this would be a commercial area and that the Church would be
treated like other commercial users because they wanted to be there. Sewer and water
also helps with their rating and eliminates the need for large areas of land for drain fields.
Mark Lucas said this is the first time he has heard the October 2000 date for the easement
taking and they don't want to be greedy, but they have a financial responsibility to the
Church.
Mrs. Kincannon concluded asking the Council to give the Church some consideration for
the easement.
6. Close Public Hearing.
Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Fournier closed the Public Hearing at 8:05
PM. Mayor Fournier suggested that no decision be made tonight, but that staff considers
all comments and bring a recommendation to the May 12, 2003 City Council Meeting.
7. Adjourn.
CM Heidner motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Wendel. All in favor. Motion
carried.
Meeting as5pumed at 8:15.�M.
ayor Larr Fournier
ATTEST:
Ju ud n City Clerk