During his report to the Crookston City Council on Monday night, City Administrator Shannon Stassen provided an update on the council about the Barrette Street proposed assessment for the cul-de-sacs that will be built off Barrette Street this summer. During the public hearing in February, Stassen had asked that the questions posed by Barrette Street residents be emailed to him so he could forward it on to the City Attorney to get some definitions and help provide answers to the questions asked that night. Stassen provided an update on the answers that were sent back to the resident who emailed Stassen.
One of the questions was about providing the legal definition for “special benefit” and how that would apply to the resident’s property. “We had reached out to the City Attorney and the – special benefit – really boils down to the fact that the infrastructure that is put in place, in this case, a cul-de-sac will eventually lead to new homes and improve property values which will certainly benefit the other homes in the neighborhood,” said Stassen. “That’s one that can be defined pretty easily as the benefit is it will increase property values, helping existing properties that way.”
The City Attorney referenced an August 13, 1976 ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court regarding special assessment in his definition. The next question was whether Barrett street residents would be subject to special assessments for future cul-de-sac assessments and whether conversely the cul-de-sac residents would be assessed for Barrette Street assessments. Barrette Street residents would be assessed for the cul-de-sac assessments but not the other way around. “Cul-de-sacs are a little different in that regard,” said Stassen. “They may not, it really remains to be seen. Under the current setup if there are improvements on Barrette the people in the cul-de-sac wouldn’t necessarily be assessed right now so it isn’t a reciprocal situation at this point.”
A resolution regarding amending street improvement special assessment policy was passed on January 28 by the council. The amendment dealt with the rates on assessments, but Stassen that along with the City Charter and Code, the resolution describes that difference. “It’s the way the policies are written and enforced,” said Stassen. “That was included and shared with the individual who was asking, we have that available. It was a good question though, was glad it was asked. I’m sure we’ll dive into it a little bit more deeply before any sort of improvement. I don’t think there is anything in the near future for Barrette but that’s a good consideration to take into account moving forward.”
The final piece was a question on how to appeal assessments and Stassen explained there are two avenues to file an appeal. “That happens when the actual public hearing is held to impose those special assessments,” said Stassen. “That happens in the fall and we haven’t determined what council meeting that will be. If someone has an appeal and they want to put it in writing now we will keep that on file and when that comes up will be heard at that time. A person can always look for the public hearing and they will be notified when that is as well and appear in person as well to make that case.”
The council approved their consent agenda on Monday night including the approval of the February 25 meeting minutes, and resolutions to approve City of Crookston bills and disbursements in the amount of $413,256.62; to approve farm lease between the City of Crookston and Daniel Cymbaluk; to appoint City Council members to committees. The council also passed a resolution to appoint Charles “Corky” Reynolds of the law firm Reynolds, Harbott, Larson & Knutson as City Attorney.
The Ways & Means Committee approved the creation of complete counts committee for the 2020 U.S. Census and they reviewed a request from the North Country Food Bank for a water service line at the proposed location of their new warehouse and food shelf. Included in the request was for the City of Crookston to cover $21,4000 of the estimated cost for a directionally bored water main. Public Works director Pat Kelly explained there is no current water main to the section of North Broadway that the food bank is looking to build on. “Right now there is no water main along Broadway in that section,” said Kelly. “They are looking to go over to Sunny St to run a six-inch water line over to Broadway. They are requesting the City contribute to run the main over there. It will also allow access to water further north of their property. The council authorized the City to contribute to this service line.”
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