Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council held a public hearing Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m., prior to its regular meeting. Mayor Swearingen and all council members were present along with approximately 20 concerned citizens.
Eric Hefner, engineer with Bolten & Menk, started the hearing by giving everyone an overview of the proposed street project. The project would include work on 2nd St. from 6th Ave.- 8th Ave., 5th St. from 5th Ave. – 7th Ave., 4th St. from 6th Ave. – 8th Ave., and a portion of 7th Ave. that was torn up due to a water main break this year.
Hefner explained portions of the project would receive new water and sewer lines. Parts of the project will have curb and gutter installed along with storm sewer lines. All areas would have a new driving surface. Hefner explained the preliminary estimated cost of the project would be around $1.1 million. Hefner said the way the project has been set up, the city would need to assess 18% of the cost to property owners receiving the improvements. The remaining costs would be paid for by a raise in the tax levy.Hefner told those gathered that the city had a financial specialist go over the figures and arrived at these preliminary figures: the average assessment for properties being improved was $4230 with the highest assessment being $8368. It was suggested the sewer rate be raised $7 a month to cover the new sewer pipe being installed. The levy increase would be around 19.7% or, on a $100,000 home, a projected increase of $220 a year.
When Hefner was done with his presentation he opened the floor for questions. Many were asked. The theme seemed to center around the cost and whether the city explored all avenues to help reduce the cost to taxpayers. Mayor Swearingen told the crowd he had been part of a discussion about trying to get grant monies from the state, due to the surplus the state has now. Swearingen also said some of the streets and infrastructure are in very poor condition. One person suggested the council research getting some federal dollars to help with the project. Swearingen said project costs will not come down if the city waits another year to get bids. He also informed the crowd the financial specialist the council used had told them it is very hard to get help for a project of this nature. A question was raised as to how much the city currently has on the books. Swearingen referred to the 2013 Audit and informed the crowd the city has $3.1 million on the books. A few residents commented they felt the city should wait a year or two before putting more on the books. There were residents present that would like to see the project started due to the poor condition of the streets by their homes. A straw poll was taken, which looked to be a tie of those people who raised their hands. The hearing concluded at about 7:30.
The regular meeting was called to order and the agenda approved as amended.
The council addressed a utility bill question and decided to table the issue to a future meeting when the council would have more information.
The council reviewed the public hearing comments. Swearingen then called for a motion to order the preparation of plans and specifications for the proposed project. The motion passed on a vote of 4-1.
Steele County Sherriff Lon Thiele was given the floor. Thiele told the council he felt things were going O.K. The council had no concerns for the Sherriff Thiele.
Clerk Hojberg read the letter to the council concerning Summer Rec. In the past the city has contributed $500 towards Summer Rec. A motion was made and passed to contribute the same amount for 2014.
The minutes and claims were approved for the evening.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be Thursday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.