09-24-1984 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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properties. This is to compensate for the larger mains and additional 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 questions regarding assessments are referred to the City Council as individual cases. In 1972 the DunwL,.:,iv Sewer Project was initiated, and assessment policies changed becau5.: 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 offst2t by an increased market value. This project the Minnetonka Bluffs, West Ferndale and contiguous areas were 80% 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 benefit as measured by the increased ;market value. The Crystal Bay area is a perfect example of an isolated area found to need municipal 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 improvement 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 the City Engineer, the Council shall determine which properties receive special benefit from each public improvement project, and therefore which properties shall be specially assessed. page 2 of 15