Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

                                                                                    October 3, 2006

            A special meeting of the City Council was called to order in the Council Chambers of the City Administration Building at 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 3, 2006, all members of the Council having been duly notified of the meeting and the business to be transacted.

Present:            Vice Mayor Matt Brenk; City Administrator Richard Grabow, Finance Officer Louis Guzek and Community Development Director Larry Remmen

                                    Aldermen:         Anderson, Aune, Hannon, Heltemes, Imholte, Tollefson, Tucker and Zeman

            Absent:             Mayor Larry G. Buboltz

Pursuant to notice having been sent to all property owners that a public hearing would be held to hear public comment on the proposed sewer and water extension and annexation of Richwood Road from Terry Street to Tower Road, Vice Mayor Matt Brenk called the hearing to order at 5:00 P.M.  

City Administrator Richard Grabow advised that after receiving requests for city sewer and water from residents along Richwood Road, the Council had authorized the City Engineer’s office to conduct a feasibility study for such extension of services. 

City Engineer Gary Nansen summarized the proposed project, which would include extension of municipal sewer and water services along the west right-of-way of Richwood Road, from Terry Street to Tower Road, to serve existing residences and businesses.  Gary advised that the Council had authorized the use of average bid prices in 2006 to determine the assessable portion of the project, which is proposed to be $ 302,250.00.  The total cost of the project is estimated at $733,400.00, with the City share of the project being $ 431,150.00.  Estimated assessments for the project range from a proposed $ 7,726 for a 100-foot lot to $ 13,603 for a 150-foot lot.  The maximum lot frontage is proposed to be 150 feet.

After receiving questions concerning the proposed project Vice Mayor Brenk requested comments for or opposed to the project.  Lloyd Moser advised that he had discussed the project with some owners of property on Dan Street who indicated to him that they were opposed to the project.  City Administrator Grabow advised the Council that a petition for annexation and extension of municipal services had been received from Jesus Is Real Ministries, 18526 C.H. 21 and Tim and Debra Lamb, 279 Shorewood Drive, have indicated that they are in favor of the proposed project; Randy Cadwell, 18526 C.H. 21 presented a petition for annexation and spoke in favor of the project indicating that his water and septic system were in need of improvements. Doug Bergman, 24816 N.E. Rock Lake Rd, property owner in the project area, spoke against the project. Donald and Carolyn Hintermeister, 18792 C. H. 21, spoke in favor of the project and requested that the City send them a petition for annexation; Jeff Leighton, Leighton Enterprises, Inc. spoke in favor of the project and requested that the City send him a petition; Charlotte Joy, JB’s Toad Lake Graphics, with property at 18878 Dan Street, spoke against the project; Larry Leitheiser, 18504 C. H. 21, spoke for the project due to a need for upgrade of his existing utilities but spoke against the project due to the high cost for him to connect to City facilities because of his distance from the road. 

Clayton Shott, property owner on Tower Road, stated that he was in favor of the project because it would help him in the development of approximately 100 acres that he owns north of Tower Road.

City Administrator Grabow advised that the Council has given tentative approval to a 20- year assessment at 6% interest for the project.  Additional follow-up will be done with the property owners who were not present at the meeting and a report will be provided to the Council for a recommendation on how to proceed with the project in the future. 

Vice Mayor Brenk advised that the property owners would all be notified again when the Council is prepared to make a decision on the project.         

There being no further business to conduct and without objection, Vice Mayor, Brenk closed the hearing and declared the meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Richard Grabow

                                                                        City Administrator