| Verndale assessment hearing this week; Ackerson resigns | | Print | |
| Written by MATTHEW JOHNSON |
|
Abbreviated Report On Wednesday, November 4, Verndale residents have/had an opportunity to discuss assessments for the recently completed Sewer and Water Improvements Year 1 project with city officials prior to the assessments being set. The public assessment hearing for the $753,493 project is/was scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the Verndale Civic Center. A special meeting of the Verndale City Council was set to follow the hearing to consider approval of the assessments. Jim Hines of Widseth Smith Nolting (WSN) is the engineer for the project. Public Facilities Authority (PFA) grants are paying $395,756 of the $753,493 Year 1 project costs. Verndale property owners typically pay 33 percent of project costs. The City Council needs to consider its assessment policy, which addresses deferred assessments. Regarding the issue of deferred assessments for senior citizens and/or permanently disabled residents, the council needs to work out whether or not interest payments will be required during the assessment period. And, if it is decided they will pay interest, the council needs to set an interest rate. In October, the city approved the final payment to Kuechle Underground, Inc., for construction work on the Year 1 project. City Maintenance Supervisor Jim Bergquist told the council at that time that sewage leaking problems are no longer occurring, which should improve the quality of the ground water. The Year 1 project is part of a five-year improvement plan. Soil borings were already scheduled last month for the Sewer and Water Improvements Year 2 project. The council approved the low bid for soil borings, which goes to Independent Testing Technologies for their $3,160 bid. The Sewer and Water Improvements Year 2 project includes work on the north and south sides of Highway 10. It includes work on North Brown Street from Highway 10 to Third Avenue; Second and Third avenues between Brown and Farwell North; lining Thompson Street North to Second Avenue; Alley 2 on the south side from First to Third avenues; Alley 3 from First Avenue to Second Avenue, and Fifth Avenue from Brown Street to the east. Ackerson resigning from council City Councilman Jim Ackerson has announced that he'll be resigning his position on the council effective the end of this year. He made the announcement during the Monday, November 2, regular monthly meeting. He said he enjoys serving on the council, but that he needs to resign "due to work conflicts." Others on the council expressed appreciation for his service, and he told them it's been a "pleasure." The council accepted his resignation, effective December 31. Ackerson has served on the council for three years. He served one term on the council and then was appointed January 5 of this year to fill the remaining term of Leland Moyer, who resigned. That term began January 1, 2009, and ends December 31, 2010. The council adopted a resolution declaring a vacancy, and seeks to appoint someone to fill the vacancy beginning in January 2010. Budget/Liquor Store News In another look at possible cuts to the budget, the City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Monday, November 9, for a Budget Workshop meeting. The council hopes to minimize the proposed property tax levy increase, finding a way or ways to drop the increase down to about a six percent increase or less. Former Mayor Wayne Stave previously expressed to the council that he believes anything more than a six percent increase in the levy would not be acceptable. The council also plans to address the overall finances of the Highway 10 municipal liquor store. Sales are up lately, but the concern is whether or not a sizable net profit will be made over the course of a year. Liquor Store Manager Linda Forcier agreed to attend the budget meeting Monday to discuss liquor store finances in detail. A public hearing for the final levy and budget is scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday, December 7. The final levy must be certified to the County by Monday, December 28. Other Business In other business November 2, the Verndale City Council: •Discussed a lapse in police coverage that occurred on the evening of October 31. Police Officer Cory Carr was scheduled that evening, and had arranged for a substitute officer to take his place. A problem occurred, however, because the sub did not show up. The council directed Police Chief Jeff Jares to institute a policy requiring an officer to inform the chief when that officer has a substitute. •Heard from City Clerk/Treasurer Dawn Nelson that the City's pre-application for housing rehabilitation funds has been approved. The plan is for the City to move forward with a joint application with the City of Aldrich by the deadline of January 14, 2010. A public hearing is required in Verndale, as it is the main entity. •Adopted a resolution authorizing administrative citations for certain traffic offenses pursuant to Minnesota law. |