11-25-1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 25, 1996 • ( #8 - Lafayette Ridge Tax Forfeit Property - Continued) Kelley suggested acquiring the property. Callahan asked if there was any public use. Hurr questioned whether the property could be counted twice regarding wetland mitigation while Moorse questioned whether it can be used for mitigation. Mabusth said it could not as it is already wetland. Gaffron noted there is a conservation easement over it now and only the perimeter is dry. Jabbour indicated that the five parcels using the property as a density credit would become non - conforming if the City were to acquire the land. He also noted the use by the community for drainage and the need to maintain it if it is acquired_ Kelley questioned whether the City would assess the residents for the maintenance. Callahan indicated the easement allows the City to have the right to drain into it. Jabbour said he sees no reason to acquire the property. Kelley noted a case could be made for the health and welfare of the City and its responsibility if a problem were to arise. Kelley questioned who should have been assessed for the outlot. Callahan indicated those who benefit should be assessed. Hurr was informed commercial assessment was at $12.00 a lineal foot for the street light project. Kelley suggested giving the parcel back to the association and abating the assessment. Hurr supported that suggestion. • Goetten said she supports giving the parcel back but not necessarily to abating the assessment. She noted that people are still responsible regardless of notification. • Callahan inquired what method would be used to give the parcel back. Moorse suggested the cancellation option. He noted there may be additional costs involved. This method would avoid using the HRA and avoids the need to sell it to the adjoining landowners. Callahan noted it also postpones the question of how much needs to be collected. Jabbour and Hurr said they would like a decision to be made on the assessment at this time. Bruce Palmer, President of the Lafayette Ridge Homeowners Association, asked where the street lights were located and was informed of their location. He is of the opinion that it is inappropriate to assess swamp land. He did indicate that the property tax statements were now reaching the correct parties. He questioned the benefit to the homeowners when the lights are located on a County road several blocks away. Callahan informed him the whole tax roll would otherwise be assessed. Palmer said he spoke with Mr. Hoecherl at Hennepin County Tax Forfeit Department, who informed him the County is favorable to the cancellation. Palmer requested the assessment be abated. 13