Resolution NO. 4533 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Klope next explained the schedule for the project. He mentioned that the Hearings Official's findings and recommendations would go to the City Council on August 4, 1997. At this time, the City Council will consider whether to approve the fmdings and recommendations and form the local improvement district. If they form the local improvement district, the contract will be awarded and the City will enter into a contract with the contractor to construct the improvements. It is estimated that construction would start sometime around the third or fourth week in August and be completed in September. Following completion of the improvements, staff would collect final costs, calculate the final assessments and schedule a second public hearing to consider the final assessments. Affected property owners will receive a notice of final assessments as well as a notice of the hearing. At the hearing there will be an opportunity to comment upon the calculation of the final assessments. This hearing is anticipated to be around the end of 1997. Final assessments would then be levied by the City Council. Mr. Klope noted that 10-year fmancing is available through the City at competitive interest rates. The last interest rate was near 8 percent. The City sells bonds to finance the project. The bonds can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. In response to a question from the Hearings Official, Mr. Klope indicated that this project would not entail any right-of-way acquisition by the City. Mr. Klope also noted that with the exception of the construction of sidewalks, there was no precedent for allowing a property owner to be excluded from a local improvement district in order to privately construct a portion of necessary improvements. Mr. Darnielle then opened the hearing to comments and questions from the public. Mr. Donovan Mack spoke first, explaining that he was at the public hearing in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Food For Lane County. Mr. Mack stated that Food For Lane County was a non-profit organization served as clearing house for the emergency food needs for the County. The property subject to the proposed LID was purchased with an anonymous donation and is expected to support a warehouse, office and kitchen facilities for his organization. Mr. Mack said that the purpose of his presence was to go on record to support the widening of Bailey Hill Road and to request consideration of a reduction or waiver of the assessment. Mr. Mack said that Food For Lane County provided a vital community service and stated that the organization would like to see as much of its contributions go towards the delivery of emergency food as possible. He noted that his organization's $18,000 assessment was substantial and would otherwise go towards providing food to the community. In response to a request from staff and Mr. Mack, the Hearings Official ordered that the record be held open until Monday, July 28, 1997 to receive a letter from Mr. Mack requesting an exemption from assessment for Food For Lane County regarding the proposed LID. It was determined that the letter would be addressed both to the City Council and the Hearings Official. Mr. John Hammer spoke next. Mr. Hammer first asked whether the low bid represented hard costs? Mr. Klope explained that the contractor's bid was based upon the quantities given by the staff. Since the City pays for what work is actually done, so if the quantity differs, then the assessment would vary. Fluctuation in estimated cost, when it occurs, generally never exceeds four or five percent. In response to a further inquiry from Mr. Hammer, Mr. Klope explained that Wildish was the low bidder on the contract. Minutes -July 23,1997 Public Hearing Page 2