05/11/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e Mayor Keller closed the public hearing. Mr. Teitzel responded to the questions raised by Ms. Trimble. He said that her name did not appear on the petitions in favor of or in opposition to the improvements. She had, however, submitted a petition at the time that a minor subdivision was approved. He explained that her panhandle lot would be assessed for a 60-foot minimum frontage and that this assessment would be used to reduce the total cost per foot to all property owners. He said that there would be no sidewalks included in the project except through driveway aprons. He indicated that the City is responsible for maintenance of the street. Regarding the comments on the effect of Royal Avenue on the Williams Street drainage, Mr. Teitzel said he did not see how Royal could have an effect, because the natural drainage is to the northwest. He said that Royal is uphill from Williams at this point. He noted again that the project does include a storm sewer which the City will pay for. Ms. Wooten asked what Mr. Teitzel estimated the project would cost each house- hold. Mr. Teitzel estimated that the average frontage on the street is 60 to 75 feet. The cost for this would be about $1,800 for paving and driveway, not including sewer hookups. Responding to further questions from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Teitzel said that the low-income deferral is available to seniors but not to other low-income persons. Mayor Keller asked if the average payment, spread over ten years and including interest, might come to something on the order of $2,500 total. Mr. Teitzel said that this seemed correct. Mr. Lindberg asked if there were any alternative ways to deal with the drainage problem. Mr. Teitzel replied that the drainage has essentially been blocked by the development in the area and that the only alternatives would be to create a hazardous, deep ditch in the street or to cut across private property. Mayor Keller said that the City operates under uniform standards for streets. He felt that postponing work to deal with this problem would only cause costs to escalate. He pointed out that the City will pay for the storm sewers. Mr. Gleason concurred and said that a maintainable standard needs to be adhered to. Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, to award the bids as outlined. Ms. Wooten reiterated her concern that a majority of the property owners on Williams Street do not support the petition for the improvements. Ms. Miller pointed out that many of those now objecting had previously agreed not to object as a condition of obtaining a minor partition. Ms. Wooten wondered if there were any way to help those citizens for whom payment of $250 per year for ten years was a great hardship. Mr. Gleason responded that the City did not make a practice of selling the property of citizens because of failure to pay a Ban- croft note. He indicated that the average homeowner only stays in his home for four years and that when the home is sold, the Bancroft note must be settled. The Bancroft is then cleared in this way. Mr. Gleason also noted that the value of the property is usually greatly increased by the street improvements, which ~ are thus essentially an investment at very low rates. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 11, 1981 Page 23