06-04-98 IMCITY OF OTSEGO P.C./COUNCEL INFORMATIONAL
MEETING RE: COMP. PLAN
MINUTES
JUNE 4, 1998 - 8PM
SECOND INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON THE LONG RANGE URBAN
SERVICE AREA:
Mayor Fournier called the meeting to order at 8:OOPM. He gave introductions
Roll Call:
Mayor Larry Fournier, Council Members Heidner, Wendel, Beming and Ackerman were
present; Planning Commissioners Nichols, Nagel, Kolles, and Goenner were also present;
Dan Licht, Assistant City Planner, John Harwood, City Engineer, Mike Robertson, City
Administrator and Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning Administrator were present from
Staff.
Administrator Robertson gave a brief overview and explanation of why we are here.
Dan Licht, Assistant Planner gave an overview of the Draft Comprehensive Plan. He
explained the concept plan and the map with the different areas. He showed the
transportation system and park plan and explained briefly. The Meeting then broke up into
small group areas where residents/land owners/Developers, etc. could ask their questions
of Council/PC/Staff for one half hour.
The Meeting was called back to order by Mayor Fournier. It was turned over to Mike
Robertson, who answered questions from the audience.
Question: CM Wendel - How many years before the Long Range Urban Service Area has
to hook up?
Answer: Current Council policy is people in this area have to petition for sewer.
There will be a Public Hearing with cost estimates provided. It might be a multi-
year policy. There is no requirement to hook up under the current City Policy.
Question: How long before sewer is available?
Answer: It will be to the junction of County Roads #39 and #42. In the year
2000.
Question: What are you basing your 20 years estimates on?
Answer: The sanitary sewer service area along Highway 101 and the Long Range
Urban Service Area.
Question: If one acre of land, would we be charged more or less for more acreage.
Answer: You just pay for the service you hook into.
Question: What is the cost of one REC to hook up?
Answer: Cost estimate is $7,700. and change. This is based on the City Engineers
best guess of the cost of construction.
Long Range Urban Service Area Second Informational Meeting 6/4/98
- Page 2 -
Question: When will you start developing land/apartmentshownhomes separate from
houses?
Answer: The City does not develop anything, that's up to the private markets.
Question: What is a neighborhood - Why 30%?
Answer: State Law requires 30%. a "Neighborhood" would be defined in the
future. Possibly block by Block. A petition of 30% just gets the issue on the table,
doesn't mean the area would automatically get sewer.
Question: We are assuming there are currently no environmental issues. What State
Laws mandate sewer going into our area?
Answer: Current septic failure is mostly due to a raise in State septic standards.
The City's fear is that State standards will keep increasing until existing residents on
one acre lots have no feasible alternative to hooking into a central sewer system.
Question: Gene Goenner asked what about groundwater contamination?
Answer: State would probably mandate testing of wells monthly and use of bottled
water.
Question: The petition can be sent in anytime. If 50% want it and 50% don't, who
decides?
Answer: City Council decides. All new development would be required to hook up
to sewer and water.
Question: What is source of water:
Answer: Municipal wells, one currently exists, one more will be drilled. Water
tower will be in the area of #101 & 70TH St.. Long range, there will be several more
wells.
Question: Will water be filtered?
Answer: No, Not filtered - but chlorinated and fluoridated as required by State
law.
Question: When we do decide to hook up, what are the regulations regarding the existing
well?
Answer: Existing wells are often kept for sprinkling, etc. May keep well unless it is
a hazard. Septic tank is eliminated at time of hook up.
Question: Water and sewer per unit is $7,700.00 and change, what are the costs for
extending lines from trunks to the house, filling in septic, replacing the road and
curb/gutter?
Answer: No idea, it will be figured out on an individual basis.
Question: Do we have to fill the tank or pull out lines?
Answer: Fill the tank
Question: If in a long term development and our septic fails can I replace with another
septic system?
Answer: Yes.
Question: How will the cost of the wastewater treatment plant be paid for
Answer: By user connection fees. (Explained about REC'S)
- Page 3 - Long Range Urban Service Area Second Informational Meeting 6/4/98
Question: What do you do if nobody hooks up to the sewer system after the City puts it
in ?
Answer: We have a lot of developers wanting to develop. City feels we will have
enough development to pay for the system. Some existing homeowners want to
hookup.
Question: The $7,700. do we get years to pay it off?
Answer: New Residential and Commercial/Ind. developments pay up front.
Residential/probably goes on taxes.
Question: Any TIF?
Answer: We do have TIF regulations - Referred to Long Haul tax rebate
agreement.
Question: Elementary School - Possible a new Junior High School. Who pays for that?
Answer: No school now proposed. If they did School District #728 would have to
pay. Technically we all pay for it, as residents of the School District, we pay the bill.
Question: Nancy Brunell - $7,700.00 charge, how much extra to run lines down the
street?
Answer: Laterals will be additional charge depending on how far you are from the
trunk line, City doesn't know the cost because every situation will be different.
Question: On frontage - hookup charge is paying for sewer/water, how much for street
replacement?
Answer: Cost to run pipe down street is extra if street is torn up, you will be
assessed for that.
Question: Medium density/low density housing, how much of North Minneapolis is
moving up here and destroy our community?
Answer: Any housing has to be built to City standards. According to an area
developer, the current market for duplexes and townhomes is in the range of
$150,000 to $270,000. Not much apartment building demand per developers.
Question: If I want to build an apartment, would the City say yes I can build it?
Answer: Only if it meets the Comp. Plan and City standards.
Dan Licht explained that the map is showing density, not the range of housing.
Because of an aging population, low maintenance townhomes are attractive. He
explained the process the City would go through to respond to a developer.
Question: Sewer and water, does it increase the value of the home?
Answer: Home value is based on home sales of comparable value. Sewer and water
would not automatically increase value.
Question: What is monthly cost for water and sewer?
Answer: Estimated costs are $4.50 Mo. water and $22.00 Mo. Sewer.
Prices might vary depending on the cost of the system.
Question: It does not seem like we are getting complete costs.
Answer: It varies depending on conditions. It will depend on how deep the line
and if the street needs reconstruction. The City will not know what those costs are
until it studies individual situations.
- Page 4 - Long Range Urban Service Area Second Informational Meeting 6/4/98
Question: What will the wastewater plant cost?
Answer: 2-1/2 to 3 million for plant. Operation is intended to be contracted out
with a firm.
Question: Does that include the cost of the land?
Answer: Yes.
Question: I'm from Farr Development Company. We are in favor of the sewer North of
Albertville extension. You don't envision sewer and water on a short term basis?
Question: If you currently sell your home, what are the regulations?
Answer: County Ordinance requires inspection of septic. County requires you to
build new system if not up to code.
Question: North of Albertville if you build now could you put a septic system in?
Answer: Yes
Question: $7,700.00 hookup fee plus you pay for the road or ditch, plus extending it to
your home, how much time to pay it all off?
Answer: Assessments in the past were 10 years typically. It can be done in a
manner so you can afford it. Mayor Fournier wanted residents to know that the
user pays and that he has no intention of forcing anyone to hookup to sewer.
Question: $7,700.00 for sewer and water plants and collection systems. Problem is
people will be allowed to subdivide their 1 acre property and there will not be any open
area anymore. That would be a mess. Apartments were sold to low income people in
Brooklyn Park, in 1960 they were elite places to live.
Answer: This is an example of what we want to avoid. The City wants quality
development that remains quality.
Question: 12,000 sq. ft single family lot, three homes per acre. Providing the economy
stays good, do we have enough builders to pay for it?
Answer: Explanation - We believe so.
Question: Who are the City Engineers?
Answer: Hakanson Anderson, City Engineer / Bonestroo - sewer plant Engineer.
Question: Can't we go to Bonestroo and get a figure?
Answer: We hate to give one out because we don't have any fixed costs now.
Question: Eight years ago Golden Valley had $150.00 per foot across property plus hook
up fees for sewer. Also, does the City have written commitment from any developers?
Answer: No, but they want sewer.
Question: Where is the site of the plant?
Answer: North of #36 and East of #101.
Question: Residents do not want apartments.
Answer: Neighborhood opposition is not legally a valid reason under state Law for
excluding apartments.
CM Wendel stated that most communities have apartment buildings such as the Sr.
High rise in Elk River. Think about your parents or grandparents.
Question: About low income housing. Can the City be forced to provide it?
- Page 5 - Long Range Urban Service Area Informational Meeting 6/4/98
Answer: According to the Met Council, single family housing under $115,000 is
considered a low income rate. Under these guidelines, 75% of the City homes would
be considered low income. The City cannot be forced under current State Laws to
provide any low income housing.
Question: Want City to be pro -active in the plan for apartment buildings - Not continually
changing the plan. I have a problem with 3 -houses for acre, something is wrong.
Answer: Put it on survey if you are objecting.
Question: How much will houses go for on 3 to an acre?
Answer: What developers tell us is that they think the market is $130,000 to
$200,000. The high amenity area is well over $200,000. They want to serve a move
up market from starter homes.
Question: The City wants houses, they cannot get a decent police department. The
Sheriff cannot control the area. Elk River offered a set price for car from Elk River. We
need police protection.
Answer: The City is looking at that. We would like to hear feedback from residents.
Question: $150 ft. for road, line and hookup. I have 250 ft. on the road. Will I get nailed
for that?
Answer: You would have to petition to hook up.
Mayor Fournier noted the current policy is users pay. If it goes by your property, you
have a choice. It's a permanent solution. You have the control.
Question: Onie Dauphanais - In Coon Rapids, you had to hook up and were not allowed
to put in a new septic.
Answer: That was Coon Rapid's Policy, it is not Otsego's Policy.
CM Heidner - Remember - We all live in the City too. We have taken a different
approach than other Cities. Best thing we can do is maintain our systems.
Question: Isn't it a City mandate every so often you have to pump your septic?
Answer: Yes - More discussion
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Fournier Adjourned Meeting at 10:40PM
and thanked everyone.
Rough Draft of Notes by Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning Adm.
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File: '98INFOM. WPS