Centerville Tidbits
Extra Tax Burden Of Project Considered
Every home in the city will face an extra $364 on its annual tax bill if a scaled-down version of the 2009 street improvement project goes ahead.
That was the result of analysis done by city staff on the tax burden facing residents next year if a smaller project, costing $4.5 million in total, is given the go-ahead by the Centerville City Council.
The findings were presented to the council at its May 28 meeting.
The figure of $364.11 is calculated for a typical $250,000 property and is made up of $148.20 for the shared, city portion of the street improvement project, $107.95 for the city's share of the CSAH-14 project and $107.95 for the city's share of the Backage Road project.
Citizens face having to pay the CSAH-14 and Backage Road portions of the total regardless of whether the council orders the 2009 street improvement project.
The equivalent extra tax burden on residents whose homes are valued at $500,000 is $728.21, with commercial properties facing an impact of $616.98 (for a $250,000 value) and $1,347.20 (for a value of $500,000).
In addition to these figures, the homes which are directly impacted by the project face special assessments of up to $20,000.
The initial 2009 Centerville Street Improvement Project was estimated to cost in the region of $7.8 million, with 470 homes impacted as roads were reconstructed, water pipes laid and homes given access to municipal water and sewer.
The City Council has considered cutting the project back in size since the very first public meetings held last fall to discuss the issue, after hearing from dozens of residents, who most recently packed out St. Genevieve's Parish Community Center on May 1 to make their voices heard.
As a result, the city engineer has presented two scaled-down versions of the plans to the council.
A final decision on how to proceed is expected from the council later this month.
In other action, the council:
. Was told that a handful of parents of children at Centerville Elementary School had not been notifi ed by Anoka County that their children could not be collected by school bus on May 28, as CSAH-14 construction workers had dug across Peltier Lake Drive, making school bus access impossible. "Some moms weren't very happy about that," explained City Administrator Dallas Larson. "We got calls about it, and we suggested they call the county. Apparently, the county passed the buck back to the city." Council Member Jeff Paar responded, "I feel they (the county) have no regard for us as a city."
. Heard from Centennial Lakes Police Sergeant Pat Aldrich that there had been a recent spate of overnight theft s from vehicles in Centerville. He explained that five break-ins had occurred to vehicles in the city over a twonight period. Police suspected the same person to be responsible for all five crimes. Aldrich added there had also been a juvenile fight at Tracie McBride Memorial Park, but police officers apprehended both the main off enders. "Hopefully, that was an isolated incident," he told council members.
. Was notified that City Engineer Mark Statz was working with Anoka County and a consultant to investigate the possibility of soil contamination, after construction workers had smelled gas and diesel as they worked on the CSAH-14 road project west of Centerville Road. Statz explained one area of concern was to establish whether the findings would have an impact on the downtown redevelopment project.
. Held a public hearing on the city's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program, an annual requirement from the city. No members of the public wished to give any input.
. Approved the city of Centerville's claims for the period May 15 through May 28, amounting to more than half a million dollars. This sum includes a payment of more than $460,000 to Anoka County for the CSAH-14 road project, payable under a joint powers agreement, and a payment of more than $13,000 to the Metropolitan Council for wastewater services.
. Authorized the expenditure of up to $3,500 to create an asphalt path to new playground equipment at Tracie McBride Park.
. Approved an application for a special event permit, temporary liquor license, and noise and fi reworks permits for the 2008 Fête Des Lacs, aft er hearing a brief presentation from Lions Club member Greg Kieselhorst.
. Set a date of July 9 to start discussing the city's 2009 budget, with a follow-up date of July 23 to continue debate.