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1992-06-23 CC Minutes . . . ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING 50TH STREET IMPROVEMENT June 23, 1992 Albertville City Hall 7:30 PM PRESENT: Mayor Jim Walsh, Councilmen Mike Potter, Duane Berning, Donatus Vetsch, and Mark Barthel, City Clerk Linda Houghton, City Engineer Thore Meyer, City Attorney Bill Radzwill Mayor Walsh called the public hearing to order for the purpose of considering improving 50th street NE. The clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing. Ci ty Engineer Thore Meyer reviewed the Feasibi 1 i ty study prepared for the 50th Street Improvement. The study details a 36' curb to curb street built to a 9-ton standard. There is a striped bike path on ei ther side of the street. Also incl uded is a sidewalk on the north side of the street. Since a portion of the street lies in Frankfort Township, Albertville's share of the costs is $292,485. If the City opts to build a 7-ton street, $l8,700 can be deducted from Albertville's share of the costs. If a 32' street is built, $ll,OOO could be deducted. Chuck Mason told the Council that he prefers a 7-ton street because it would hold down heavy traffic. A 7-ton street could be posted for no trucks. Mayor Walsh explained that all other City streets are 7-ton, curb to curb streets, wi th the exception of Barthel Industrial Drive. The abutting property owners were assessed for the total cost of the 7-ton street. Patti Moses asked how the City planned to assess the costs. Mayor Walsh answered that although the City has made no official determination on how to assess this improvement, all other streets are entirely assessed to the abutting properties. Moses stated it is possible that the benefit to the abutting properties could be less than the assessment if the 22 abutting properties are each assessed equally. Attorney Radzwill explained that he has recommended that the Council have an appraiser evaluate the benefit to the properties and add the cost of the appraisal to the project costs. Randy Lebsock asked what would happen if Frankfort Township does not go along with the improvement. Greg Vetsch, Frankfort Town Board Chairman, answered that the township would like the road paved and thinks the project will get approval this year. Frankfort has set a public hearing sometime in July to discuss this project. . . . 50TH STREET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 23, 1992 PAGE 2 OF 3 Moses asked the Council to discuss if the City can or will participate in the total costs. George Reiser lives on the corner of Lansing Avenue and 50th street. He feels that since he has been assessed for the street in front of his house, he should not be assessed for 50th Street. Reiser stated that dust is a ma jor probl em on 50th street. He questioned if the City could provide some sort of dust control if the street is not improved. Mark Haller asked if it would be possible to leave off the curb and gutter on the south side of the street. Thore answered that would not be advisable. Wilfred Becker stated that the runoff from 50th street currently creates a washout on his property. Thore explained that with curb, gutter, and storm sewer that would not be a problem. Tessa Bridal stated that until the property owners know how much the assessment is on their property, they are unable to make a decision about the proposed improvement. She questioned what it would cost each property owner to have an appraisal done. Attorney Radzwill indicated that his best guess on appraisal costs would be $300-$500 per parcel. Tom Haller, who stated that he is a licensed appraiser and assessor, told the Council he feels that 50th street is a unique street in that most of the lots are large and that improving 50th Street is a benefi t to everyone in the Ci ty. He suggested the Council seriously consider picking up a portion of the costs for improving the street. As an appraiser, he feels that the benefit of an improved street would be between $4,000-$6,000 per lot. If the total cost of the project is assessed to the property owners, the assessment could be between $ll,OOO-$l3,OOO. Radzwill indicated that he would expect that an appraisal would indicate an assessment of $8,000-$9,000 to be reasonable. Karen Mason questioned what the alternatives to paving the street could be. Would the City consider dust control and additional gravel? Tom Hagerty, a Frankfort Town Board member, explained that the township is spending $.75 per lineal foot on an l8' roadtop for magnesium chloride. The chemical must be applied twice during the season. Gravel must be added before the chemical is applied. Wilfred Becker stated that the residents of 50th Street don't need the paved road as much as other people who use the road need the improvement. Dennis Fehn told the Council that, according to Frankfort Township's traffic counter, about 475 cars use 50th Street a day. Fehn indicated that 500 cars per day is the limit . . . 50TH STREET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 23, 1992 PAGE 3 OF 3 for a gravel street. Patti Moses told the Council that a $10,OOO-$l5,OOO street assessment could possibly price some of the residents out of their homes. Tom Haller explained that the City's Comprehensive Plan indicates that 50th street is a collector street. He feels that as such, the city should be willing to contribute to the cost of the improvements. Mayor Walsh told the audience that though the current Comprehensive Plan does indeed show 50th street as a collector street, it also shows other streets as collector streets. It is the Council's discretion to consider amending the Comprehensive Plan. Tessa Bridal expressed concerns about how chemical dust control would affect ground water. Tom Haller suggested that if 50th Street is not improved this year that the Council levy an amount in the 1993 budget to be set aside exclusively for 50th street. Councilman Barthel left the meeting at lO:12 PM. The Council told the audience they would consider paying the difference between a 7-ton and a 9-ton street and may consider using the money spent on maintenance for an unpaved road to help. Potter made a motion to set a work meeting for the Counci 1 to review all options for 50th street for June 30th at 7: 00 PM. Berning seconded the motion. All voted aye. Vetsch made a motion to continue this public hearing to July 15, 1992, at 7:00 PM. Berning seconded the motion. All voted aye.