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• • MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,Apri18,2013 <br /> 7:00 dclock p.m. <br /> (10. STREET IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT—LETTER OF SUPPORT, Continued) <br /> McMillan noted there are lake improvement districts already on the books. <br /> Bremer commented there are also sidewalk districts. <br /> Printup stated his concern with it is that the City is setting themselves up on this path and that the City <br /> should have a discussion on what they want to do with special fees or assessments. Printup stated in his <br /> view one of the duties of the City is to take care of the roads,which is already included in the overall city <br /> levy. Printup stated the additional fee is his primary concern. <br /> Printup indicated he does understand if the legislation does go through,the City can establish its own <br /> parameters, but that he is totally uncomfortable with it since the citizens are already paying taxes,which <br /> should cover it. <br /> Bremer stated the point is fairness and noted that the City Council struggled with this issue relating to <br /> Casco Point. The City at that time went through an analysis of the special assessment realizing that others <br /> would have no interest in the new road but yet would end up paying for it. <br /> Bremer stated as it relates to the question of whether it increased the value of the property, it probably <br /> did, but the City made a decision not to do a special assessment and to spread the costs over all the <br /> residents. Bremer stated this legislation allows the City to use this tool only for the location that is <br /> benefitting from the work and that whether this Council or a future council makes a decision to do it or <br /> not to do it, it would require the next step of creating the districts. Bremer noted they are not making a <br /> philosophical decision at this time that the City is going to do it. <br /> McMillan stated the City has to look at getting back to assessments and discussing that. A number of <br /> cities currently use special assessments but Orono does not. Orono does have a fair amount of private <br /> roads and those people are saying that they are paying for everything. If this gets approved,this is a tool <br /> and opportunity that the City could decide to use and that further discussion should be had on this topic. <br /> McMillan stated to her recollection 40 cities have indicated they are in support of the legislation. <br /> McMillan noted there would be a public process for the residents to be involved in if the City decided to <br /> explore this further. <br /> Printup stated he would encourage the Council to maybe explore other options and perhaps look at certain <br /> restrictions being included in the bill, such as a sunset provision for a district to ensure that the work is <br /> completed within a certain time period. Printup indicated he has a concern that there is a collection of <br /> money sitting there but no project being completed. Printup noted the current legislation does not contain <br /> any language saying the money has to be spent within a certain period of time and that the City should <br /> consider putting some parameters on there. <br /> Anderson noted the Council would have the ability to place those parameters on their districts. <br /> Levang stated another question is if the City chooses to create those districts,whether they should get the <br /> money in advance or only get the money when a specific project is planned. <br /> Printup commented those are two issues that will need to be looked at. <br /> Page 17 of 21 <br />