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Mr. Klope explained the role of System Development Charges (SDCs) in paying for improvements. Mr. Klope explained that SDCs are collected from developers and placed in a fund that is used to pay the City's share of improvements. In this way, the other users from around the City do pay for the cost of a street that is being put in to accommodate their use. Mr. Klope identified the seven and ten foot pavement widths as the local portion of the costs, similar to the cost of a local city street. Mr. Klope explained how the additional paving width was paid for from SDCs. This discussion led to questions concerning the division of costs. Mr. Klope explained that the total project was estimated to cost $3,718,113 but the local share of the total cost was $927,262. This division of costs was intended to reflect a balance of the outside users verses local users of Garden Way. There were questions about the City's delayed assessment policy. Mr. Klope explained that the delayed assessment policy was designed to reduce the burden on large lots, to avoid the assessment becoming a spur to dividing o? developing the lot. Mr. Klope explained that the policy limited the assessment to the first 100 feet of large lots, regardless of the actual frontage. A member of the audience suggested that a 100 foot threshold was too big. A 50 foot limit was suggested as being more reflective of the standard city lot size. Questions were asked about the other bids for the project. Mr. Gallop of the Engineer's Office provided information on the other bidders. The estimated costs for the assessments was requested. Mr. Klope responded by providing each element of the estimated assessment, how it was calculated, and where it would apply. The division of costs between the City and the property owners was discussed in more detail. The effect of the delayed assessments was discussed. In response to a question, Mr. Klope described the rationale behind the delayed assessment and confirmed that, if a property subject to the delayed assessment is improved, the delayed assessment will be due at the time the improvements are made. Ms. Lynn Chase announced that she had discussed the proposed assessments with many of her neighbors. Ms. Chase reported that none of her neighbors could believe how much she was being asked to pay. Several other audience members agreed. They announced that they appreciated that the Council had tried to improve the system, and to make it more fair, but that they still felt that was not fair and imposed too great a burden on the local property owners. Mr. Thompson reminded the city staff that the Garden Way area was an historic district. He expressed concern that the proposed street lights would not be consistent with the historic character of the neighborhood. Project engineer Gallop responded in detail. Comparing the relative costs and lighting ability of the type of historic lights that Mr. Thompson mentioned, Mr. Gallop explained that the City had chosen the standard lights because they provided both a cost savings and a lighting advantage.