Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of a special meeting and public hearing held on 12-03-2007
Golden Gate Area Paving Project Assessment Hearing
A special meeting and public hearing of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd Day of December 2007 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street. The purpose of the meeting and hearing is to assess property owners for road improvements in the Golden Gate Area.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Louis Ross, Joel Dahlheimer, and Roger Thalman. Also present were Clerk Gregg Raisanen and Attorney Julie Haseman. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was opened by Chairman Thalman at 6:40 PM. The meeting was recessed and the public hearing was opened.
Attorney Haseman reviewed the procedure, rules and purpose of the public hearing.
There were no questions for the engineer regarding the project.
Attorney Haseman explained that the project was ordered an estimated cost of $239,600 in 2006; however, actual costs were $150,961.00. Township will pay ½ of the construction cost of $61,742.80 with the remainder paid by the residents, which is $89,218.80. There are 12 assessment that are 1 ½ at a cost of $2,368.64 each, 38 full assessments at a cost of $1,579.09 each, and 1 half assessment at $789.55.
Attorney Haseman reported that she has been notified of three letters. Margaret Anderson had problems with her mail and received the notification in person and is present this evening. Timothy Rahn had concerns about the legal description of the project; however, Attorney Haseman indicated that is was correct. Michael Nemmers had sent a letter of objection to the assessment and Benard and Elizabeth Van Zomeran have requested that they receive no assessment for their property.
Bernie Van Zomeren reported that they have been assessed for blacktop when Maple Drive was blacktopped years ago and feel that they should not be assessed for the current project since their driveway is onto Maple Drive. The have a field approached onto Queen’s Road but do not use this road for access for their home. The township assessment policy is to assess property owners, which have access to an improved road one full assessment and ½ of an assessment if their property abuts an improved road but does not have access. Attorney Haseman explained that the full assessment was recommended due to the fact that the amount of frontage foot that was improved was significant and that the paving increase their property value. Chairman Thalman indicated that maybe they should be charged a ½ assessment to be consistent with the township’s paving policy. Attorney Haseman pointed out that the policy allows for adjustments due to the uniqueness of a property such as resorts or farmland. Supervisor Ross reported that this property is unique and the property has been improved with over 1100 feet of payment. The issue was tabled.
The board considered the request by Michael Nemmers for a reduced assessment. The proposed assessment was consistent with the township’s policy. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to leave the assessment for Michael Nemmers as proposed and authorized Attorney Haseman to send him a letter indicating the same. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Casper joined the meeting.
The board reconsidered the Von Zomeren property. Supervisor Alstead was in agreement that the property was unique so therefore a full assessment was in order. Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to leave the assessment for the Von Zomeren property as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen explained that the interest rate would be at 8% payable over 5 years if full payment is not received within 30 days of the hearing date.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt Resolution 07-16, a resolution adopting assessment against abutting and non-abutting property for the improvement of Golden Gate Ave., Kings Rd., Bridge Street, Castle Lane, and a portion of Queens Road by bituminous surfacing. Motion carried unanimously.
The public hearing was closed and the meeting was recessed at 7:28 PM.
Respectfully Submitted….. Approved this ______day of _________, 2007
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk Roger Thalman, Chairman