Centerville Tidbits
Preliminary 2008 Budget Approved
At its September 12 meeting, the Centerville City Council approved the city's preliminary 2008 budget, which will hold the tax rate flat while increasing the overall tax levy. Preliminary numbers show that the general tax levy will be increased by $69,700 next year; however, this increase is attributable to an increase in the city's tax capacity, as the tax rate will remain the same.
"If your house value hasn't gone up, your taxes won't go up," said Finance Director John Meyer. "Our goal is to try and keep the tax rate flat, and we were able to accomplish that."
Notably, the preliminary budget includes an 8.47% increase in the police budget.
The city's annual Truth in Taxation hearing will be held on December 12, with the final budget slated for adoption later that month.
Downtown Environmental Study Moving Ahead
Council voted to accept the draft Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) related to the city's downtown redevelopment project and send it out for review. The public and various review agencies will have 30 days to comment.
Although the EAW identified traffic snarls that may become more pronounced after future phases of the downtown project are completed, City Engineer Mark Statz said that problems were attributable to overall growth rather than the downtown project.
"We don't see any big red-flag issues," he said.
After the comment period is over, council will make a final decision on whether or not to accept the findings of the EAW.
Soil Boring Contractor Objects To Contract
At its last meeting, council approved entering into a $5,800 contract with Stork Twin City Testing to perform soil borings related to the planned 2009 street improvement project, subject to the review of the City Attorney.
However, after Stork refused to accept the contract's unlimited liability clause for things that may go wrong during the soil boring work, council voted to award the contract to Braun Intertec for $10,000 instead.
The approved motion stipulated that Stork can still do the boring work if they are willing to accept unlimited liability; otherwise, the contract will be awarded to Braun.
In other action, the council:
. Approved a conditional use permit allowing Bennett and Koch Construction to operate a business at 6995 20th Avenue South, subject to conditions mandating certain site improvements and noise and business hour limitations.
. Declined to opt into Anoka County's new Economic Development Authority. Council cited concerns about whether the new EDA will do enough to promote the city and the existence of the city's own EDA as reasons for not opting in.
. Approved the sixth pay request from Burschville Construction for work completed on the 20th Avenue Backage Road project, in the amount of $111,989.41.
. Approved the second pay request from Gustafson Excavating for work completed on the Fairview Street improvements for $51,108.74.
. Approved the first pay request from Precision Excavating and Grading for work completed on the Old Mill Road Utility and Street improvements for $47,933.20.
. Extended the city's agreement with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association through September 30, 2008, with the cost of the 2007-08 annual period to be $5,900.
. Approved a change order for Gustafson Excavating that will pay the company $4,720 for the removal and replacements of bolts for water main fittings on Fairview Street.
. Approved encroachment agreements for the construction of fences at 7191 Brian Drive and 1723 Meadow Lane.
. Approved the Parks and Recreation Committee's recommendation to purchase a sign recognizing Trevor Weigel's Eagle Scout project at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park.