09-12-1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r :h proptsrties. This is to coinp6nsate for the larger .tiains and addi tional hydrants placed in the commercial areas and in recognition of larger insurance savings in comparison with residential properties. GENERAL Wetlands are not to be assessed. Many assessments are referred to the City Council questions regarding as individual cases. In 1972 the Dunwoody Sewer Project was initiated, and assessment policies changed because of a samll isolated area that could not totally benefit from a fully assessed project. The final assessment was 50% tax levy 50% individual assessment. In 1982 our last sewer project, we found high costs that could not be fully assessed individually to justify a full benefit offset by an increased market value. This project the Minnetonka Bluffs, West Ferndale and contiguous areas were 60% individually assessed and 20% general revenues on tax levies. Undoubtedly we will continue to require special assessments to finance a local improvement but a great deal of more care has to be put into hearing proceedings to assure everyone that indeed, by law an individual assessment would not exceed the benef it as measured by the increased market value. The Crystal Bay area is a perfect example of an isolated area found to need m.unicipal sewers which could be legally appealed if every individual assessment were applied. If an assessment is not realistic in view of the real estate market the City can determine that such an i.mprovement is necessary, a benefit to the general public, and could be partially funded by the general fund. Public land is automatically funded by the general fund for future consideration the following general policies should be reviewed. GENERAL POLICIES 1. Basic Policy. Special assessments will be levied against benefitting properties to cover 100% of project costs including principal, interest, administrative, bonding and service charges. 2. General Public Benefit. The City Council may declare a percentage of any project cost to be of general public benefit to be financed from general revenues or obligation bonds rather than from special assessments. This amendment to the basic assessment policy would apply in cases where an identifiable general benefit is present (example: collector street paving requiring wider or heavier construction than a local street. The abutting owners would receive the same benefit and assessments as those abutting a local street with the extra costs spread as a general public benefit). 3. Determination of Special Benefit. Upon the advice of the City Administrator and theCity Engineer, theCouncil shall determine which properties receive special benefit from each public improvement project, and therefore which properties shall be specially assessed. race 3 of 15