We here at Centerville Citizens For Ethical Taxation and Representation (CCFETR) have been fielding questions on what is the correct number for the long term debt of the City of Centerville. These questions have been originating from concerned citizens and media reporters.
Indeed, there HAS been THREE different numbers stated in the reporting on this blog, handouts, and the Pioneer Press article. It is not our job at CCFETR to try to make sense of these discrepancy but to bring it to the community's attention. We also want the community to know that if you have felt as though the city has you chasing your tail, you are not alone.
Here is a break down with dates to highlight the discrepancies.
Email from Finance Director John Meyer on August 13:
$8,055,896
This number was used on the blog in August.
Annual Financial Report dated Dec 31, 2007
$9,175,675
This number was used on the handout that was passed out at the neighborhood meeting and also passed out from door to door. We also included 2005 and 2006 long term debt figures out of the annual financial reports in the corresponding years.
The Pioneer Press reported in last Sunday's newspaper
"Debt. at the end of 2008, the city will have more than $7.8 million."
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Petition and The Press
The Quad Press
"Capra also said she is putting together a breakdown of tax levies over the last 20 years for county, school and city to inform citizens of what they have had to pay."
Link Here
We wait with bated breath! Will the information be available before election day?
"Capra also said she is putting together a breakdown of tax levies over the last 20 years for county, school and city to inform citizens of what they have had to pay."
Link Here
We wait with bated breath! Will the information be available before election day?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Centerville Trivia ~ Sidewalk Ordinance/2006
Who is responsible for the maintenance/repair of Centerville sidewalks?
A: The City
B: Property Owners
The answer may surprise you!
Sidewalk, Right-Of-Way Ordinance Changes
The council also unanimously approved two local ordinance amendments intended to specify that property owners - and not City Hall - are responsible for maintaining sidewalks and adjoining rights-of-way near their residences.
The city's existing ordinances are "not real clear as to the maintenance of sidewalks or the maintenance of green space . that that's what these [amendments] are intended to do - clear that up," City Administrator Dallas Larson explained shortly before the council's vote.
Several council members questioned whether property owners should be liable for cracked or broken sidewalks directly outside their homes, for example, with Council Member Tom Lee commenting that at first blush, "that seems like it's not quite fair." However, Larson explained that "it is common" in Minnesota to shift sidewalk and right-of-way maintenance liability "away from the city."
"Many, many cities do it this way. In fact, I'm sure I could safely say that most cities do it this way," Larson said. He also compared property-owner liability under the amendments to that when snowplows disrupt sodding on sidewalk medians. "
It's the property owner's responsibility to replace that, too," Larson said.
After a brief discussion, Lee, too, was convinced about the wisdom of the new sidewalk and right-of-way amendments. "I think this is the right thing to do, even though I'm not too crazy about it," Lee said. "I think this is the right thing to do for the city, anyway."
*The Citizen
Council Minutes 10/11/2006
Amending Chapter 93 of the Centerville Code by Amending Section 9301 Relating to Maintenance of Sidewalks
City Administrator Larson explained that the existing Ordinances were not real clear on maintenance of sidewalks and this is an attempt to make it clear that adjoining property owners are responsible Council Member Lee indicated that he did not realize that residents were responsible for repairs of sidewalks. City Administrator Larson explained that this is typical language of most cities Motion by Council Member Lakso seconded by Council Member Terway to approve Ordinance Second Series Amending Chapter 93 of the Centerville Code by Amending Section 9301 Relating to Maintenance of Sidewalks All in favor, Motion carried unanimously
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
A: The City
B: Property Owners
The answer may surprise you!
Sidewalk, Right-Of-Way Ordinance Changes
The council also unanimously approved two local ordinance amendments intended to specify that property owners - and not City Hall - are responsible for maintaining sidewalks and adjoining rights-of-way near their residences.
The city's existing ordinances are "not real clear as to the maintenance of sidewalks or the maintenance of green space . that that's what these [amendments] are intended to do - clear that up," City Administrator Dallas Larson explained shortly before the council's vote.
Several council members questioned whether property owners should be liable for cracked or broken sidewalks directly outside their homes, for example, with Council Member Tom Lee commenting that at first blush, "that seems like it's not quite fair." However, Larson explained that "it is common" in Minnesota to shift sidewalk and right-of-way maintenance liability "away from the city."
"Many, many cities do it this way. In fact, I'm sure I could safely say that most cities do it this way," Larson said. He also compared property-owner liability under the amendments to that when snowplows disrupt sodding on sidewalk medians. "
It's the property owner's responsibility to replace that, too," Larson said.
After a brief discussion, Lee, too, was convinced about the wisdom of the new sidewalk and right-of-way amendments. "I think this is the right thing to do, even though I'm not too crazy about it," Lee said. "I think this is the right thing to do for the city, anyway."
*The Citizen
Council Minutes 10/11/2006
Amending Chapter 93 of the Centerville Code by Amending Section 9301 Relating to Maintenance of Sidewalks
City Administrator Larson explained that the existing Ordinances were not real clear on maintenance of sidewalks and this is an attempt to make it clear that adjoining property owners are responsible Council Member Lee indicated that he did not realize that residents were responsible for repairs of sidewalks. City Administrator Larson explained that this is typical language of most cities Motion by Council Member Lakso seconded by Council Member Terway to approve Ordinance Second Series Amending Chapter 93 of the Centerville Code by Amending Section 9301 Relating to Maintenance of Sidewalks All in favor, Motion carried unanimously
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Monday, September 22, 2008
Planning and Zoning Commission.
The Planning and Zoning Commission Currently Has an Opening.
The commission meets the first Tuesday of each month at City Hall. Please consider serving your community by becoming a member. Application available Here.
FYI; Tom Wood and Ben Fehrenbacher both currently on Planning and Zoning are running for City Council.
The commission meets the first Tuesday of each month at City Hall. Please consider serving your community by becoming a member. Application available Here.
FYI; Tom Wood and Ben Fehrenbacher both currently on Planning and Zoning are running for City Council.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Centerville Residents Challenge City's Spending
Why did the City purchase a new public works building (left) for the sum of 1.4 million dollars while the current building (right) appears sufficient?
UPDATE!
At its July 11, 2007 meeting, the Centerville City Council officially approved the purchase of the old Centerville Redi-Mix site as the city's new Public Works Department base.
The city will pay $1.4 million for the property, with $800,000 of the initial funds coming from the general fund, $400,000 coming from the sewer fund, and another $200,000 coming from the water fund.
The city is planning to receive approximately $400,000 for the sale of the current public works property, although no time frame has yet been established for that sale.
As of today the building sits... UNSOLD!
*The Citizen
Group gathering signatures to petition state for an audit
By Brady Gervais
bgervais@pioneerpress.com
A group of Centerville residents concerned that city officials are on an unnecessary spending spree want the state to audit their city.
There were some rather interesting quotes in the article. Some of the printed story has been omitted online.
"You can say we shouldn't have that much debt," Larson (City Administrator) said. But it is not improper. It was just a decision that was made and a debt that was incurred."
Residents leading the petition effort are doing so for personal reasons, Capra (Mayor) said. Those backing the petition have "either been directly or indirectly upset with an action of the city," she said.
Why was it a necessary "decision" to incur this debt, Mr. Larson? Exactly what was the justification?
Why does the Mayor make her statement? Hasn't every resident been affected directly or indirectly by the actions of the City? Further questioning may be in order.
dlarson@centervillemn.com Dallas Larson
capria@comcast.net Mary Capra
Please read the printed copy for full story.
Partial Story Here
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Media Coverage in the Pioneer Press
Centerville Has a Dedicated Road Maintenance Fund?
City Council passed the preliminary 2009 road budget during the September 10th meeting.
A whopping $25,000 will be set aside for street reconstruction and reserve. We know that the City needs $60,000 just to cover the seal coating projects scheduled for next year. This still leaves us short $35,000 but hey, it's a start.
Thank you to all the citizens that have been so involved. Together, we might be able to get the fund increased to the $100,000 Council Member Broussard-Vickers stated we need.
How about slashing part of the $84,000 budgeted funds the City spends on Park Programs and Maintenance for the SIX parks we have in a 2.2 square mile radius?
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
A whopping $25,000 will be set aside for street reconstruction and reserve. We know that the City needs $60,000 just to cover the seal coating projects scheduled for next year. This still leaves us short $35,000 but hey, it's a start.
Thank you to all the citizens that have been so involved. Together, we might be able to get the fund increased to the $100,000 Council Member Broussard-Vickers stated we need.
How about slashing part of the $84,000 budgeted funds the City spends on Park Programs and Maintenance for the SIX parks we have in a 2.2 square mile radius?
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
What Results Can We Expect From a State Audit?
We can not say with any certainty what a State audit will reveal. The reason we are requesting one is to determine if our City is being managed properly. Citizens want to address the debt and understand why it has increased over a million dollars for each of the past two years. The audit will also address spending. Why did Council spend $517,000 for unnecessary streetscaping which caused an additional bill of over $54,000 for engineering and administrative costs? Why do we now own a second public works building at the cost of 1.4 million dollars? Are the people behind the walls of City Hall managing the City correctly and being good stewards of our money? The audit will answer these questions!The City will be billed hourly by the state. Hugo is expecting a price tag of under $20,000. If Centerville spends this much but the audit reveals how to save $50,000, isn't it worth it?
The following links detail the results of a State audit completed for each city. In reviewing the audits you also get an understanding how each city is managed.
Cambridge
Crosby
Bena
Kenyon
Phillips
Ronneby
Harris
Albany
Stacy
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
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State Audit Meeting a Success!
Thank you to all the residents that turned out last night! The room was almost unbearably warm but the crowd of 85 stayed for the entire meeting.In fact, many people remained far after the meeting ended and visited with their neighbors. New friendships were made and new alliances were born. There was a sense of community that has not been felt in a long time. The very reason many of us moved to Centerville was reaffirmed last night!
The concern expressed for our city was overwhelming. There are many intelligent citizens in this city and many informed questions were asked. Although we are just beginning our journey, the first steps were taken last night, by many residents.
Citizens had the opportunity to meet four of the candidates last night. First we heard from Stephanie Blomseth, running for council. Next was Ben Fehrenbacher also running for city council. Council candidate Neale Rawlings attended the meeting and left early with his adorable 18 month old twin boys. His platform was left for the residents to review. The two candidates running against our incumbent Mayor spoke; Bryce Wasiloski and Laura Powers. These candidates are going to give Mary a run for her money! It should be an exciting election!
When the meeting ended, many citizens volunteered to walk the petition and took the needed excess spending fact sheet. Unfortunately, we are unaware of which areas will be walked and hope they will follow up with us here.
We need to obtain the signatures of 423 registered voters before we send the petition to Anoka County for certification. As we move forward, we will keep a running total of the number of signatures we have and keep you updated on how many more we need to comply with the state audit laws.
This is an exciting time for the citizens of Centerville. We have the opportunity to change our local government and make it work for us, as intended! Thank to everyone who participated last night to what WILL BE a great start to reform!
Government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Gettysburg Address ~ Abraham Lincoln
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Small-town charm eludes suburbs' attempts to build it
CLICK IMAGE TO READ CENTERVILLE'S APPROVED MASTER PLAN & DEVELOPMENT GUIDE. A great Article from the Pioneer Press that speaks directly to Centerville!! We can stop this before we get to the empty storefronts!
Some interesting quotes from the article;
"They put their own judgment ahead of the private sector. The Heart of the City is an absolute disaster," said Gene Happe, a developer who has built 45 commercial buildings in Burnsville.
"Everyone in Heart of the City is near bankruptcy," Happe said, rattling off names of condo builders and businesses. "My advice to anyone else about small-town charm is: Don't touch it."
"Everyone in Heart of the City is near bankruptcy," Happe said, rattling off names of condo builders and businesses. "My advice to anyone else about small-town charm is: Don't touch it."
Grand projects can leave only controversy and empty storefronts.
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
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Monday, September 15, 2008
Have City Officials Bitten Off More Than They Can Chew?
One story of the many citizens here in Centerville that were going to have property seized under eminent domain... That is before the Governor changed the law in 2006. Here is a letter to the current Mayor.
Mayor Mary Capra
1810 Fox Run, Centerville MN 55038
Dear Mayor Capra:
April 28, 2008
We feel privileged to be part of a smaller town/community. Typically a small town affords City government more personal contact with it’s citizens. We feel that is true for Centerville - a town we have truly loved for many years. Thus, we felt that writing to you personally would be appropriate and welcomed.
First, we understand that Centerville City Council has been facing and will continue to face challenging decisions over this next year. We wanted to express some of our concerns regarding those decisions. In specific, how the Council’s decisions have affected us.
This is our personal story in a nutshell:
We built our home on Centerville Lake at 1580 Sorel Street (several doors down from St. Genevieve Church) in 1994 and moved in May 7th, 1995. We were excited when LyNae’s parents (Lloyd & Diane Hansen) built next door to us (1588 Sorel) one and a half years later. Our intention was to look after them as they grew older and that by living next door, we could most adequately do this.
We began our own electrical company the summer of 2002. We are a small company and desire to remain small (2 employees). From the onset, our personal 3-car garage posed ‘space problems’ for all our electrical materials, along with our boats, trailers, etc. We had been looking for property close to home for storage and as an investment. We had talked with the owner of 1688 Sorel Str (across street from front doors of St. Genevieve Church and only ½ block from our home). We bought the property 2004, which at the time was zoned R-2, with the intentions of tearing down all the existing buildings and putting up two new homes (for rental and overflow). We also had every intention of following all and any guidelines set up by Centerville regarding covenants, etc. Then the Council changed the zoning ordinance from R-2 to "Mixed Use", which then led to the Council setting up the moratorium, then another rezoning and well, you know the rest. Originally, we never wanted to sell our investment property to the City. But when the City stated ultimately they would implement Eminent Domain against us (at the Beard & neighbors meeting), we felt we had no choice. The effort, stress and risk it took for us to purchase an investment property only to have the Council tie our hands and eventually relinquish it all to the City has been egregious.
In addition, the Council was making plans to put in high density housing and shops only ½ block away from our residence for the purpose of bringing in more businesses & residents, thus creating more tax revenue for the City. By this time, our small-town-"warm-fuzzies" were fading fast.
We did not want to live next to high density housing and shops, although we have always been advocates in "cleaning up" the downtown area. We believe however, that the ends do not justify the means in this case: entice developers by taking taxes and giving it to the developers (Beard) for the next 20 years. In our opinion, this "corporate welfare", along with the taking of one’s property by government (Eminent Domain), is unconscionable.
So, feeling quite hopeless, we sold everything in 2007. More importantly, we left our hopes and dreams: moving out of our dream home and away from Mom & Dad and selling our investment property (1688 Sorel) to the City.
We have moved to a home we bought in 2003: 7216 LaValle Drive, Centerville, across the lake from our Sorel home we sold. To be sure, this much older home does not have the same appeal to us as our 1580 Sorel home that we ourselves built from the ground up. Nonetheless, we feel fortunate to continue to be on the lake and in Centerville. That is, until recently.
Now we are facing another Centerville ‘taking’ in this home! The Council is considering turning our 1 block, dead end private road (LaValle Drive) into a public street, which we understand would quite possibly mean that the City of Centerville would once again take part of our personal property. The Council has stated they will not force hook up to City water, yet if we decide to move, it would be required to hook up before we could sell, and all of this at a cost of around $14,000-$20,000.
We enjoy our well water and believe it to be superior in every way, including safety and taste. It is one of the reasons we chose our property on Sorel and why we purchased our current home. We are not interested in being forced to hook up and drink chemically treated public water when our natural pure well water suffices. We are not interested in relinquishing our private street, hooking up to City water or capping our well. Certainly, those of us currently with wells should be allowed to keep them indefinitely, especially those of us on a private road! There is no good enough reason, at least to us, that the City of Centerville should take our private road and property.
Mayor Capra, in truth, we just want to be left alone. Please reconsider this forcible hook up and taking property that ethically is not the City’s to take. This is more than a personal issue for us, it’s a moral one. We believe Centerville Council would be overstepping, once again, the bounds in which government was originally intended.
Finally, we are firm believers that, for the most part, those that serve the citizens do so with good and right intentions and bear an enormous responsibility coupled with much work. Indeed, we believe this is true for the Centerville Council. And so, that is why we often pray for all our leaders that govern us, both locally and nationally. We are grateful for your service and time.
Sincerely,
Erick & LyNae
7216 LaValle Drive, Centerville MN 55038
cc: Centerville City Council, P & Z
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Mayor Mary Capra
1810 Fox Run, Centerville MN 55038
Dear Mayor Capra:
April 28, 2008
We feel privileged to be part of a smaller town/community. Typically a small town affords City government more personal contact with it’s citizens. We feel that is true for Centerville - a town we have truly loved for many years. Thus, we felt that writing to you personally would be appropriate and welcomed.
First, we understand that Centerville City Council has been facing and will continue to face challenging decisions over this next year. We wanted to express some of our concerns regarding those decisions. In specific, how the Council’s decisions have affected us.
This is our personal story in a nutshell:
We built our home on Centerville Lake at 1580 Sorel Street (several doors down from St. Genevieve Church) in 1994 and moved in May 7th, 1995. We were excited when LyNae’s parents (Lloyd & Diane Hansen) built next door to us (1588 Sorel) one and a half years later. Our intention was to look after them as they grew older and that by living next door, we could most adequately do this.
We began our own electrical company the summer of 2002. We are a small company and desire to remain small (2 employees). From the onset, our personal 3-car garage posed ‘space problems’ for all our electrical materials, along with our boats, trailers, etc. We had been looking for property close to home for storage and as an investment. We had talked with the owner of 1688 Sorel Str (across street from front doors of St. Genevieve Church and only ½ block from our home). We bought the property 2004, which at the time was zoned R-2, with the intentions of tearing down all the existing buildings and putting up two new homes (for rental and overflow). We also had every intention of following all and any guidelines set up by Centerville regarding covenants, etc. Then the Council changed the zoning ordinance from R-2 to "Mixed Use", which then led to the Council setting up the moratorium, then another rezoning and well, you know the rest. Originally, we never wanted to sell our investment property to the City. But when the City stated ultimately they would implement Eminent Domain against us (at the Beard & neighbors meeting), we felt we had no choice. The effort, stress and risk it took for us to purchase an investment property only to have the Council tie our hands and eventually relinquish it all to the City has been egregious.
In addition, the Council was making plans to put in high density housing and shops only ½ block away from our residence for the purpose of bringing in more businesses & residents, thus creating more tax revenue for the City. By this time, our small-town-"warm-fuzzies" were fading fast.
We did not want to live next to high density housing and shops, although we have always been advocates in "cleaning up" the downtown area. We believe however, that the ends do not justify the means in this case: entice developers by taking taxes and giving it to the developers (Beard) for the next 20 years. In our opinion, this "corporate welfare", along with the taking of one’s property by government (Eminent Domain), is unconscionable.
So, feeling quite hopeless, we sold everything in 2007. More importantly, we left our hopes and dreams: moving out of our dream home and away from Mom & Dad and selling our investment property (1688 Sorel) to the City.
We have moved to a home we bought in 2003: 7216 LaValle Drive, Centerville, across the lake from our Sorel home we sold. To be sure, this much older home does not have the same appeal to us as our 1580 Sorel home that we ourselves built from the ground up. Nonetheless, we feel fortunate to continue to be on the lake and in Centerville. That is, until recently.
Now we are facing another Centerville ‘taking’ in this home! The Council is considering turning our 1 block, dead end private road (LaValle Drive) into a public street, which we understand would quite possibly mean that the City of Centerville would once again take part of our personal property. The Council has stated they will not force hook up to City water, yet if we decide to move, it would be required to hook up before we could sell, and all of this at a cost of around $14,000-$20,000.
We enjoy our well water and believe it to be superior in every way, including safety and taste. It is one of the reasons we chose our property on Sorel and why we purchased our current home. We are not interested in being forced to hook up and drink chemically treated public water when our natural pure well water suffices. We are not interested in relinquishing our private street, hooking up to City water or capping our well. Certainly, those of us currently with wells should be allowed to keep them indefinitely, especially those of us on a private road! There is no good enough reason, at least to us, that the City of Centerville should take our private road and property.
Mayor Capra, in truth, we just want to be left alone. Please reconsider this forcible hook up and taking property that ethically is not the City’s to take. This is more than a personal issue for us, it’s a moral one. We believe Centerville Council would be overstepping, once again, the bounds in which government was originally intended.
Finally, we are firm believers that, for the most part, those that serve the citizens do so with good and right intentions and bear an enormous responsibility coupled with much work. Indeed, we believe this is true for the Centerville Council. And so, that is why we often pray for all our leaders that govern us, both locally and nationally. We are grateful for your service and time.
Sincerely,
Erick & LyNae
7216 LaValle Drive, Centerville MN 55038
cc: Centerville City Council, P & Z
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Increasing Taxes During an Economic Downturn is Suicide
Anoka County among hardest hit in housing crisis
The county's foreclosure rate was among the fastest growing in the metro region, and the prevention hot line is on the front lines.
By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune
Anoka County has the highest rate of foreclosures in the metro area, according to 2007 statistics, with calls to a county foreclosure-prevention hot line having quadrupled in recent months.
"It's explosive, unbelievable, like a train wreck with people who have overextended themselves crashing against changing interest rates," said Jan Backlin, director of home ownership programs at Anoka County Community Action Program (ACCAP), which runs the hot line.
Full Story Here
The county's foreclosure rate was among the fastest growing in the metro region, and the prevention hot line is on the front lines.
By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune
Anoka County has the highest rate of foreclosures in the metro area, according to 2007 statistics, with calls to a county foreclosure-prevention hot line having quadrupled in recent months.
"It's explosive, unbelievable, like a train wreck with people who have overextended themselves crashing against changing interest rates," said Jan Backlin, director of home ownership programs at Anoka County Community Action Program (ACCAP), which runs the hot line.
Full Story Here
Centerville Foreclosures
2005 ~7
2006 ~16
2007 ~21
2008 ~14 (Aug. 31)
2005 ~7
2006 ~16
2007 ~21
2008 ~14 (Aug. 31)
Anoka County
2005 ~520
2006 ~849
2007 ~1,680
2008 ~1,622 and counting...
*Statistics From the Anoka County Community Development Dept
Current 9/15/2008
Minnesota Foreclosure Data
HousingLink is an independent, nonpartisan, Twin Cities-based organization that specializes in the collection and distribution of affordable housing information. HousingLink's data and information is utilized by various stakeholder groups including direct service providers, housing providers and policymakers within our service area. Because of the vast impact of the recent foreclosure crisis, HousingLink has undertaken several foreclosure data collection efforts through partnerships with other local organizations. These reports are located HERE
The Twin Cities Metro has a projected foreclosure rate of 19,936 in 2008 compared to 3,759 in 2005.
State Wide the foreclosure numbers are 28,282 for 2008 compared to 6,466 in 2005.
How many citizens will be forced out of their homes here in Centerville, due to the increased tax burden? Do the people making financial decisions for our city even care? Bring power back to the people with your vote on election day!
*2008 Foreclosures (Projected) numbers are based on first quarter 2008 actual foreclosure counts
*2008 Foreclosures (Projected) numbers are based on first quarter 2008 actual foreclosure counts
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Friday, September 12, 2008
Protect the Citizens of Centerville
Gov. Pawlenty said in his speech on March 9, 2006
"One of the most important roles of government is to protect its citizens. Sometimes that means protecting them from their own government. I urge us to come together to pass meaningful and responsible reforms to Minnesota's eminent domain laws." The new eminent domain laws went into effect on May 20, 2006.
Citizens of Centerville, please hear this! The actions by the Centerville government is a horrific example of the Governor's statement!
Below is an excerpt from the Development Agreement dated July 11, 2007 (an entire year after the new laws were set into place):
"WHEREAS among the major objectives of the City in establishing the Project are to eradicate blight and blighting conditions existing within the City to enhance the tax base of the City to provide decent safe and sanitary housing opportunities for the residents of the City to promote and secure the prompt commercial development of certain real property located in the Project Area which property is not now in productive use or in its highest and best use in a manner consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and with a minimum adverse impact on the environment and to promote and create additional employment opportunities within the City for residents of the City and the surrounding area thereby improving living standards and reducing unemployment;"
The Development Agreement also reads:
"WHEREAS the City is willing to work with the Developer under the terms provided in this Agreement to acquire properties in the Project Area in order to assist in the redevelopment effort;"
Supreme Court Justice O'Conner made this statement about the Kelo ruling:
"Under the banner of economic development, all private property is now vulnerable to being taken and transferred to another private owner, so long as it might be upgraded--i.e., given to an owner who will use it in a way that the legislature deems more beneficial to the public--in the process."
Citizens of Centerville! Do we want the Government of Centerville to be our developer? This is not the standard role for Cities. Developers normally acquire homes and then bring their plans to the City Council to be approved. In Centerville's plan, the City has designed the development and singled out one developer for the entire project. The development project is relying heavily on the increase tax base which in-turn will remove residents from their homes, to be replaced with bigger better multi-family homes.
Minnesota (S.F. 2750) Signed by Gov. Pawlenty on May 19, 2006 prohibits the use of eminent domain for economic development; requiring eminent domain to be used only for a public use or public purpose; requiring condemning authorities to show clear and convincing evidence for certain takings; providing for condemnation for blight mitigation under certain conditions; specifying public hearing requirements; expanding certain petition notice requirements; requiring compensation for removal of legal nonconforming use; specifying certain minimum compensation requirements; providing for the awarding of attorney fees; providing for a right of first refusal; specifying certain notice requirements; and, providing for certain court orders finding the taking necessary.
S.F. 2750 Link Here
We urge everyone to attend the neighborhood meeting on September 16 to help give the power BACK TO THE PEOPLE!
COPYRIGHT 2006 Saint Paul Pioneer Press
Byline: Bill Salisbury May 16, 2006
Minnesotans soon won't have to worry about government seizing their property to make room for an office park or shopping center. The Minnesota Senate and House on Monday passed a bill to rein in the use of eminent domain -- the power of government to condemn private property -- so cities and counties no longer can take homes and businesses to make way for larger tax-generating commercial developments.States are strengthening private property rights after the U.S. Supreme Court last year ruled that the city of New London, Conn., could seize and tear down private homes to make way for a hotel and office buildings. But the court also declared states could restrict such takings. Minnesota lawmakers seized that opportunity.They passed a bill that "will make it very, very difficult for the government to take someone's private property," said its chief Senate sponsor, Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook. Bakk said the measure restores citizens' Fifth Amendment right to own property and be protected from government taking it "unless there is a public use and just compensation." The legislation will bar a city from taking property from one private owner and giving it to another, he said, "just because a city planner might have a different vision of what a corner or a neighborhood should look like." The bill would allow local governments to seize private homes or businesses for economic redevelopment only if the properties are severely blighted, environmentally contaminated, abandoned or a clear public nuisance.
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
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"One of the most important roles of government is to protect its citizens. Sometimes that means protecting them from their own government. I urge us to come together to pass meaningful and responsible reforms to Minnesota's eminent domain laws." The new eminent domain laws went into effect on May 20, 2006.
Citizens of Centerville, please hear this! The actions by the Centerville government is a horrific example of the Governor's statement!
Below is an excerpt from the Development Agreement dated July 11, 2007 (an entire year after the new laws were set into place):
"WHEREAS among the major objectives of the City in establishing the Project are to eradicate blight and blighting conditions existing within the City to enhance the tax base of the City to provide decent safe and sanitary housing opportunities for the residents of the City to promote and secure the prompt commercial development of certain real property located in the Project Area which property is not now in productive use or in its highest and best use in a manner consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and with a minimum adverse impact on the environment and to promote and create additional employment opportunities within the City for residents of the City and the surrounding area thereby improving living standards and reducing unemployment;"
The Development Agreement also reads:
"WHEREAS the City is willing to work with the Developer under the terms provided in this Agreement to acquire properties in the Project Area in order to assist in the redevelopment effort;"
Supreme Court Justice O'Conner made this statement about the Kelo ruling:
"Under the banner of economic development, all private property is now vulnerable to being taken and transferred to another private owner, so long as it might be upgraded--i.e., given to an owner who will use it in a way that the legislature deems more beneficial to the public--in the process."
Citizens of Centerville! Do we want the Government of Centerville to be our developer? This is not the standard role for Cities. Developers normally acquire homes and then bring their plans to the City Council to be approved. In Centerville's plan, the City has designed the development and singled out one developer for the entire project. The development project is relying heavily on the increase tax base which in-turn will remove residents from their homes, to be replaced with bigger better multi-family homes.
Minnesota (S.F. 2750) Signed by Gov. Pawlenty on May 19, 2006 prohibits the use of eminent domain for economic development; requiring eminent domain to be used only for a public use or public purpose; requiring condemning authorities to show clear and convincing evidence for certain takings; providing for condemnation for blight mitigation under certain conditions; specifying public hearing requirements; expanding certain petition notice requirements; requiring compensation for removal of legal nonconforming use; specifying certain minimum compensation requirements; providing for the awarding of attorney fees; providing for a right of first refusal; specifying certain notice requirements; and, providing for certain court orders finding the taking necessary.
S.F. 2750 Link Here
We urge everyone to attend the neighborhood meeting on September 16 to help give the power BACK TO THE PEOPLE!
COPYRIGHT 2006 Saint Paul Pioneer Press
Byline: Bill Salisbury May 16, 2006
Minnesotans soon won't have to worry about government seizing their property to make room for an office park or shopping center. The Minnesota Senate and House on Monday passed a bill to rein in the use of eminent domain -- the power of government to condemn private property -- so cities and counties no longer can take homes and businesses to make way for larger tax-generating commercial developments.States are strengthening private property rights after the U.S. Supreme Court last year ruled that the city of New London, Conn., could seize and tear down private homes to make way for a hotel and office buildings. But the court also declared states could restrict such takings. Minnesota lawmakers seized that opportunity.They passed a bill that "will make it very, very difficult for the government to take someone's private property," said its chief Senate sponsor, Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook. Bakk said the measure restores citizens' Fifth Amendment right to own property and be protected from government taking it "unless there is a public use and just compensation." The legislation will bar a city from taking property from one private owner and giving it to another, he said, "just because a city planner might have a different vision of what a corner or a neighborhood should look like." The bill would allow local governments to seize private homes or businesses for economic redevelopment only if the properties are severely blighted, environmentally contaminated, abandoned or a clear public nuisance.
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Friday, September 5, 2008
Save Centerville State Audit Meeting 9/16/2008
Attention Centerville Citizens!
Update
It has been brought to our attention that have been confused regarding the City debt. We have attempted to get the accurate information from our officials. Dallas Larson stated that special assessments do not count against the state mandated limit, even though it's still debt. The only thing we know for certain today is that
"The City of Centerville has $8,055,896 in long term debt."
John Meyer
Finance Director
Date: August 13, 2008
Do you wonder why we needed multi-colored cross-walks, 20 lamp posts over a two block area while our City debt is over 8 million dollars?
Has your property been threatened by eminent domain even though it is against MN state law?
Are you being bullied by city officials for a new trail system, power lines, land, or increased taxes without appropriate representation?
Has your real estate taxes sky rocketed for absolutely no reason, or because of special assessments?
Are you frustrated by other actions (or lack of action) by our city officials?
If you said “YES!” to any of these statements, please join the Neighborhood meeting that represents CHANGE!
WHERE: Bobby and Steve’s Conference Room
WHEN: September 16, 6:30 pm
AGENDA:
How a state audit petition works and what we need to be successful.
Information on complaints currently filed against the City of Centerville
Information on the Mayor and City Council race.
Volunteer sign-up to help bring the state audit petition to the citizens of Centerville
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Update
It has been brought to our attention that have been confused regarding the City debt. We have attempted to get the accurate information from our officials. Dallas Larson stated that special assessments do not count against the state mandated limit, even though it's still debt. The only thing we know for certain today is that
"The City of Centerville has $8,055,896 in long term debt."
John Meyer
Finance Director
Date: August 13, 2008
Do you wonder why we needed multi-colored cross-walks, 20 lamp posts over a two block area while our City debt is over 8 million dollars?
Has your property been threatened by eminent domain even though it is against MN state law?
Are you being bullied by city officials for a new trail system, power lines, land, or increased taxes without appropriate representation?
Has your real estate taxes sky rocketed for absolutely no reason, or because of special assessments?
Are you frustrated by other actions (or lack of action) by our city officials?
If you said “YES!” to any of these statements, please join the Neighborhood meeting that represents CHANGE!
WHERE: Bobby and Steve’s Conference Room
WHEN: September 16, 6:30 pm
AGENDA:
How a state audit petition works and what we need to be successful.
Information on complaints currently filed against the City of Centerville
Information on the Mayor and City Council race.
Volunteer sign-up to help bring the state audit petition to the citizens of Centerville
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Eminent Domain as Last Resort? Negotiations Halted.
Dear Editor,
In response to the article in the October 9, 2007, Quad Community Press titled “Eminent domain concerns may be unfounded”, we question the word “may” because we know, and the city knows, these concerns also may be very real. Reading the proposal’s fine print, it states if voluntary agreements are not reached the City will initiate eminent domain. Then the City can deem the property blighted or obsolete and the property in question can be taken involuntarily.
While the City Council and the Beard Group may not have a concrete plan, we do know which homes will be affected; all of the downtown Centerville area. We are losing our small, hometown neighborhood to multifamily, high-density, three story buildings, duplicates of which we are seeing unoccupied and being foreclosed upon everywhere in the metro area and beyond.
Our family has been through this all before. Our beautiful home and farm on George Watch Lake was taken forcefully from us by eminent domain thirty years ago. We were compensated according to an Anoka County appraiser’s recommendations and were helpless to receive what the land was really worth.
Margaret has lived in this neighborhood for all of her 86 years, except for the 3½ years she spent in the Air Force, and she hates what this development will do to the little city that she has lived in and loved for so long. This development plan will destroy one of the oldest little communities in Minnesota and changing it into just another nightmare of row upon row of multifamily, non-interactive housing.
At this stage in our lives, we had not planned on being uprooted and sent off to find another place to live, like old kitchen appliances that no longer fit in the modern kitchen. It may be called progress, but we call it heartless.
Leo and Margaret Hensel
Centerville Citizens
Since this was published in the Quad Press, Leo has passed away. Our condolences to Margaret and her family.
Centerville Property Owners Concerned About Eminent Domain
City Says Seizures Possible, But Not Preferred Course
By Aaron Rupar
CENTERVILLE - Just months aft er the question of whether the city of Hugo would use eminent domain to acquire downtown properties became a source of friction between the city and concerned property owners, residents and business owners in Centerville are dealing with similar anxieties as the Beard Group begins its quest to acquire downtown properties included in phase one of the city's downtown redevelopment plan.
The city held an open house to inform residents about the downtown redevelopment plan on September 6, and many downtown property owners in attendance expressed concern about the possibility of being forced to sell their land.
Summarizing the mood of the evening, Council Member Linda Broussard Vickers said that "the overall air was not positive."
"There was a lot of distrust [from downtown property owners] towards the city and Beard," she said.
One of the people in attendance at the open house was attorney Lisa Dahlquist, attorney at Larkin Hoffman. Dahlquist said she'll be representing some of the downtown property owners as the Beard Group attempts to purchase their land.
"[The Beard Group] has been attempting to negotiate a direct purchase from willing sellers, but there are willing sellers who feel that the amount of money they are being offered isn't fair-market value," Dahlquist said in a later interview. Dahlquist said that some owners are fearful that if they can't reach a purchase agreement with Beard, the city will use eminent domain to seize properties against the will of the owners.
Recent changes in state statute dictate the limited circumstances under which cities can acquire properties through eminent domain. According to City Administrator Dallas Larson, the city would only be able to seize properties in the redevelopment area that are slated to be converted to public uses, such as roads or parking lots.
Larson acknowledges that eminent domain is a possibility, but he said that the city's hope is that any sort of land seizure can be avoided.
"No decisions have been made. [Eminent domain] is possible in some cases but it's the city's hope that we won't have to go down that route, and we'll have negotiated sales," he said.
Ron Mehl of the Beard Group also said that the company hopes eminent domain can be avoided.
"We would never want to force anyone out of their home; we're in the business of developing property," said Mehl, who added that any decisions about whether to pursue eminent domain will ultimately be the prerogative of the city.
One of the people Dahlquist will be representing is downtown property owner Margaret Lee, who has held neighborhood meetings with other area property owners at her home.
Lee said that she doesn't know of any downtown property owners who aren't willing to work with the city, but she's frustrated by the fact that the rezoning of downtown has precluded her from adding-on to her home.
"Almost everybody I've spoken to, including me, were willing to sell our houses," she said. "What's frustrating is that we don't have a right to live in our house the way we want to [right now] because they've written it into the zoning code . they've basically taken our property for their redevelopment plan."
While the redevelopment project is undoubtedly causing hardship for some residents, City Administrator Larson pointed out that there are other property owners in the area that are eager to sell. Additionally, he said that he believes the public remains supportive of the city's larger goal of revitalizing downtown.
Mehl said that the Beard Group would be sending out "letters of intent" to all property owners within the phase one area before the end of October. These letters will outline the terms of sale that the Beard Group would be amenable to.
If the process proceeds in accordance with the Beard Group's plan, those non-binding letters will be turned into binding purchase agreements, setting the stage for construction to begin with next spring's thaw.
However, Council Member Broussard Vickers said that it was her impression that some property owners will be unwilling to sell regardless of the terms. "Some will not go quietly into the night, that's for sure," she said.
The first phase of the downtown redevelopment plan involves clearing and demolition of properties adjacent to Centerville Road and Main Street and the subsequent reconstruction of commercial and residential buildings, and a similar overhaul for some downtown properties east of Progress Road.
The Beard Group's long-term plan for phase one includes the construction of 14,000 square feet of retail/office space and a 41-unit apartment building.
Mehl said that the Beard Group intends to make fair offers to the downtown property owners.
"We want to be good neighbors," he said, adding that if the company is unable to acquire properties within phase one the overall redevelopment plan would have to be modified.
While acknowledging the increasing anxiety level of downtown land owners, Council Member Broussard Vickers said that she believes the Beard Group will deal fairly while trying to acquire properties within phase one.
"[The city] feels that [Beard] will be an above-board developer and will make fair offers," she said.
As of November negotiations have halted. The residents are not allowed to make any type of improvement to their existing property. The area has been zoned "mixed use" which makes any sale nearly impossible, without a developer. Why are these citizens being held hostage, while Beard has been allowed to step back? Given the current economic state, it may be time for Council to reassess the scope of the project, yet again!
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
In response to the article in the October 9, 2007, Quad Community Press titled “Eminent domain concerns may be unfounded”, we question the word “may” because we know, and the city knows, these concerns also may be very real. Reading the proposal’s fine print, it states if voluntary agreements are not reached the City will initiate eminent domain. Then the City can deem the property blighted or obsolete and the property in question can be taken involuntarily.
While the City Council and the Beard Group may not have a concrete plan, we do know which homes will be affected; all of the downtown Centerville area. We are losing our small, hometown neighborhood to multifamily, high-density, three story buildings, duplicates of which we are seeing unoccupied and being foreclosed upon everywhere in the metro area and beyond.
Our family has been through this all before. Our beautiful home and farm on George Watch Lake was taken forcefully from us by eminent domain thirty years ago. We were compensated according to an Anoka County appraiser’s recommendations and were helpless to receive what the land was really worth.
Margaret has lived in this neighborhood for all of her 86 years, except for the 3½ years she spent in the Air Force, and she hates what this development will do to the little city that she has lived in and loved for so long. This development plan will destroy one of the oldest little communities in Minnesota and changing it into just another nightmare of row upon row of multifamily, non-interactive housing.
At this stage in our lives, we had not planned on being uprooted and sent off to find another place to live, like old kitchen appliances that no longer fit in the modern kitchen. It may be called progress, but we call it heartless.
Leo and Margaret Hensel
Centerville Citizens
Since this was published in the Quad Press, Leo has passed away. Our condolences to Margaret and her family.
Centerville Property Owners Concerned About Eminent Domain
City Says Seizures Possible, But Not Preferred Course
By Aaron Rupar
CENTERVILLE - Just months aft er the question of whether the city of Hugo would use eminent domain to acquire downtown properties became a source of friction between the city and concerned property owners, residents and business owners in Centerville are dealing with similar anxieties as the Beard Group begins its quest to acquire downtown properties included in phase one of the city's downtown redevelopment plan.
The city held an open house to inform residents about the downtown redevelopment plan on September 6, and many downtown property owners in attendance expressed concern about the possibility of being forced to sell their land.
Summarizing the mood of the evening, Council Member Linda Broussard Vickers said that "the overall air was not positive."
"There was a lot of distrust [from downtown property owners] towards the city and Beard," she said.
One of the people in attendance at the open house was attorney Lisa Dahlquist, attorney at Larkin Hoffman. Dahlquist said she'll be representing some of the downtown property owners as the Beard Group attempts to purchase their land.
"[The Beard Group] has been attempting to negotiate a direct purchase from willing sellers, but there are willing sellers who feel that the amount of money they are being offered isn't fair-market value," Dahlquist said in a later interview. Dahlquist said that some owners are fearful that if they can't reach a purchase agreement with Beard, the city will use eminent domain to seize properties against the will of the owners.
Recent changes in state statute dictate the limited circumstances under which cities can acquire properties through eminent domain. According to City Administrator Dallas Larson, the city would only be able to seize properties in the redevelopment area that are slated to be converted to public uses, such as roads or parking lots.
Larson acknowledges that eminent domain is a possibility, but he said that the city's hope is that any sort of land seizure can be avoided.
"No decisions have been made. [Eminent domain] is possible in some cases but it's the city's hope that we won't have to go down that route, and we'll have negotiated sales," he said.
Ron Mehl of the Beard Group also said that the company hopes eminent domain can be avoided.
"We would never want to force anyone out of their home; we're in the business of developing property," said Mehl, who added that any decisions about whether to pursue eminent domain will ultimately be the prerogative of the city.
One of the people Dahlquist will be representing is downtown property owner Margaret Lee, who has held neighborhood meetings with other area property owners at her home.
Lee said that she doesn't know of any downtown property owners who aren't willing to work with the city, but she's frustrated by the fact that the rezoning of downtown has precluded her from adding-on to her home.
"Almost everybody I've spoken to, including me, were willing to sell our houses," she said. "What's frustrating is that we don't have a right to live in our house the way we want to [right now] because they've written it into the zoning code . they've basically taken our property for their redevelopment plan."
While the redevelopment project is undoubtedly causing hardship for some residents, City Administrator Larson pointed out that there are other property owners in the area that are eager to sell. Additionally, he said that he believes the public remains supportive of the city's larger goal of revitalizing downtown.
Mehl said that the Beard Group would be sending out "letters of intent" to all property owners within the phase one area before the end of October. These letters will outline the terms of sale that the Beard Group would be amenable to.
If the process proceeds in accordance with the Beard Group's plan, those non-binding letters will be turned into binding purchase agreements, setting the stage for construction to begin with next spring's thaw.
However, Council Member Broussard Vickers said that it was her impression that some property owners will be unwilling to sell regardless of the terms. "Some will not go quietly into the night, that's for sure," she said.
The first phase of the downtown redevelopment plan involves clearing and demolition of properties adjacent to Centerville Road and Main Street and the subsequent reconstruction of commercial and residential buildings, and a similar overhaul for some downtown properties east of Progress Road.
The Beard Group's long-term plan for phase one includes the construction of 14,000 square feet of retail/office space and a 41-unit apartment building.
Mehl said that the Beard Group intends to make fair offers to the downtown property owners.
"We want to be good neighbors," he said, adding that if the company is unable to acquire properties within phase one the overall redevelopment plan would have to be modified.
While acknowledging the increasing anxiety level of downtown land owners, Council Member Broussard Vickers said that she believes the Beard Group will deal fairly while trying to acquire properties within phase one.
"[The city] feels that [Beard] will be an above-board developer and will make fair offers," she said.
As of November negotiations have halted. The residents are not allowed to make any type of improvement to their existing property. The area has been zoned "mixed use" which makes any sale nearly impossible, without a developer. Why are these citizens being held hostage, while Beard has been allowed to step back? Given the current economic state, it may be time for Council to reassess the scope of the project, yet again!
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Where Has Professionalism and Accountability Gone?
Why do the City Administrator, Finance Director and Public Works Director have City email accounts, yet the Mayor and Council members do not? Could it be a matter of not wanting to answer questions or be held accountable for their actions? Numerous emails have remained ignored and/or not responded to by our elected officials. When prompted by a citizen, here is what the Mayor had to say regarding their lack of any timely, professional or responsible response;
From: Dan and Mary Capra
Date: 8/22/2008 3:40 P.M.
Dear XXXX,
Regarding email I have staff looking into the cost of adding city email addresses for all council members with an automatic response. We all have our home email addresses listed on the website and I know several of the council members have had problems with their home email, servers and computers (myself included). If this change takes place you will see it on the website.
Sincerely,
Mary Capra
This is not rocket science. If you are having a problem, fix it! The answer should not be "If this change takes place you will see it on the website". It should be, When this change takes place. Whoever manages the website can set up email addresses for everyone in about three minutes. There is no additional charge for this service and no reason to spend money “looking into it”. In fact, the citizen offered to set up the professional email accounts (with auto responders) for free. This response smells like an excuse to anyone that has ever managed a website or tried to get a response from our elected officials.
Election is just around the corner. The Mayor is up for reelection as are two council seats this November. Remember, we deserve the government we elect!
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
From: Dan and Mary Capra
Date: 8/22/2008 3:40 P.M.
Dear XXXX,
Regarding email I have staff looking into the cost of adding city email addresses for all council members with an automatic response. We all have our home email addresses listed on the website and I know several of the council members have had problems with their home email, servers and computers (myself included). If this change takes place you will see it on the website.
Sincerely,
Mary Capra
This is not rocket science. If you are having a problem, fix it! The answer should not be "If this change takes place you will see it on the website". It should be, When this change takes place. Whoever manages the website can set up email addresses for everyone in about three minutes. There is no additional charge for this service and no reason to spend money “looking into it”. In fact, the citizen offered to set up the professional email accounts (with auto responders) for free. This response smells like an excuse to anyone that has ever managed a website or tried to get a response from our elected officials.
Election is just around the corner. The Mayor is up for reelection as are two council seats this November. Remember, we deserve the government we elect!
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Contact Us!
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
County 14 Additional Spending By City Officials
This is an email response from the Anoka County Commissioner, Rhonda Sivarajah regarding the county road 14 budget and how our officials chose to increase spending. It may be time to call for a State audit to see exactly what else they have been up to. We wish to extend a thank you to Rhonda for her assistance!
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: Centerville Budget--additional information
I also wanted to pass along this information regarding the County Rd.14 Main Street project. As you can see in the article below, the administrator seems to be trying to put blame on the County Rd. 14 project for large tax increases. This is not an accurate statement. In fact, if you look at the information provided by our highway dept. at the bottom of the page, you can see that for the entire road project, they actually have very little cost after taking into account the federal dollars and the $125,000 they will be reimbursed for the trail after completion. The greatest costs they are incurring are costs that the county is not requiring as part of the project, but rather are a city decision to add streetscaping to the project. If you look at the dollars being spent you can see that Centerville's costs that are required are just a small fraction of what they are choosing to spend. Here is the article from the Citizen printed in June 2008 Extra Tax Burden Of Project Considered Every home in the city will face an extra $364 on its annual tax bill if a scaled-down version of the 2009 street improvement project goes ahead. That was the result of analysis done by city staff on the tax burden facing residents next year if a smaller project, costing $4.5 million in total, is given the go-ahead by the Centerville City Council. The findings were presented to the council at its May 28 meeting. The figure of $364.11 is calculated for a typical $250,000 property and is made up of $148.20 for the shared, city portion of the street improvement project, $107.95 for the city's share of the CSAH-14project and $107.95 for the city's share of the Backage Road project. Citizens face having to pay the CSAH-14 and Backage Road portions of the total regardless of whether the council orders the 2009 street improvement project. Below is a breakdown of expenses related to the road project as outlined by our highway dept. Below is a summary of Centerville's costs associated with items required for the reconstruction of Main St. (CSAH 14).
Total Project Construction Cost
- $13,485,213.49
Centerville's Total Responsibilities
- $1,211,496.49 (8.98% of Const. Cost)
Federal Funds Prorated/Credited to Centerville
- $272,410.00
Centerville's Cost for Upgraded Utilities
- $163,700.82
Centerville's Cost for Streetscaping
-$517,007.80
Centerville's Cost due to County Project
$258,377.87 (1.92% of Const. Cost)
Of the $96,919.72 we will charge the city for engineering & administration of the contract that is in addition to these construction costs, $54,456.69 is due to the city's enhanced utility work and streetscaping. Note too that the trail and sidewalk costs are included in the city's> costs due to the road construction (not identified as a city option), and they will be reimbursed $125,000 for a portion of the trail costs via the Metro Trail grant program after the trail is completed which will further reduce the city's total obligation towards the project.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Sivarajah
Anoka County Commissioner
763-274-4213
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: Centerville Budget--additional information
I also wanted to pass along this information regarding the County Rd.14 Main Street project. As you can see in the article below, the administrator seems to be trying to put blame on the County Rd. 14 project for large tax increases. This is not an accurate statement. In fact, if you look at the information provided by our highway dept. at the bottom of the page, you can see that for the entire road project, they actually have very little cost after taking into account the federal dollars and the $125,000 they will be reimbursed for the trail after completion. The greatest costs they are incurring are costs that the county is not requiring as part of the project, but rather are a city decision to add streetscaping to the project. If you look at the dollars being spent you can see that Centerville's costs that are required are just a small fraction of what they are choosing to spend. Here is the article from the Citizen printed in June 2008 Extra Tax Burden Of Project Considered Every home in the city will face an extra $364 on its annual tax bill if a scaled-down version of the 2009 street improvement project goes ahead. That was the result of analysis done by city staff on the tax burden facing residents next year if a smaller project, costing $4.5 million in total, is given the go-ahead by the Centerville City Council. The findings were presented to the council at its May 28 meeting. The figure of $364.11 is calculated for a typical $250,000 property and is made up of $148.20 for the shared, city portion of the street improvement project, $107.95 for the city's share of the CSAH-14project and $107.95 for the city's share of the Backage Road project. Citizens face having to pay the CSAH-14 and Backage Road portions of the total regardless of whether the council orders the 2009 street improvement project. Below is a breakdown of expenses related to the road project as outlined by our highway dept. Below is a summary of Centerville's costs associated with items required for the reconstruction of Main St. (CSAH 14).
Total Project Construction Cost
- $13,485,213.49
Centerville's Total Responsibilities
- $1,211,496.49 (8.98% of Const. Cost)
Federal Funds Prorated/Credited to Centerville
- $272,410.00
Centerville's Cost for Upgraded Utilities
- $163,700.82
Centerville's Cost for Streetscaping
-$517,007.80
Centerville's Cost due to County Project
$258,377.87 (1.92% of Const. Cost)
Of the $96,919.72 we will charge the city for engineering & administration of the contract that is in addition to these construction costs, $54,456.69 is due to the city's enhanced utility work and streetscaping. Note too that the trail and sidewalk costs are included in the city's> costs due to the road construction (not identified as a city option), and they will be reimbursed $125,000 for a portion of the trail costs via the Metro Trail grant program after the trail is completed which will further reduce the city's total obligation towards the project.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Sivarajah
Anoka County Commissioner
763-274-4213
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
8/18/2008 Open Forum Gets Testy
Residents concerned over communication with city leaders
Aug 19, 2008 - 09:47:44 CDT.
by Loretta Harding Contributing Writer
Quad Press
CENTERVILLE — At their Aug. 13 meeting, Centerville City Council members exchanged curt remarks with two residents who took the podium to address their displeasure with the council's communication methods stemming from the 2009 Street Improvement Project. Mayor Mary Capra cut short resident Julie Riemen's comments about her conversations and e-mails with council member Tom Lee, in which she said that professionalism needed to be addressed.
"You're getting personal. This is done," Capra told Riemen.
A group of five people attending the meeting called out for the mayor to let Riemen speak.After council members Lee and Jeff Paar responded that Riemen could continue, Capra gave Riemen and any speakers following her two minutes to complete their address.
When Riemen continued her remarks, she said that the council had not responded to her e-mails until the day of the meeting and that she felt unwelcome to speak. She further noted that if citizens inspected government data, they'd find that the City of Centerville carried a long-term debt of more than $8 million.Riemen recommended that residents become informed by visiting a Web site, Centerville Citizens for Ethical Taxation and Representation, at http://www.centervillemn.blogspot.com/. The next speaker, Laura Powers, called attention to a petition that started what she called a "power struggle." The petition was signed by more than 500 citizens and called for the city to step back and reassess the scope of the 2009 road project. She objected to allegations by at least one council member that the petition was invalid and called for the council to apologize. As a former Centerville council member, Powers said that the council was elected to serve, and that service comes with a responsibility to listen and display demeanor. The council heard out Powers and Riemen and resumed the meeting without further comment
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Aug 19, 2008 - 09:47:44 CDT.
by Loretta Harding Contributing Writer
Quad Press
CENTERVILLE — At their Aug. 13 meeting, Centerville City Council members exchanged curt remarks with two residents who took the podium to address their displeasure with the council's communication methods stemming from the 2009 Street Improvement Project. Mayor Mary Capra cut short resident Julie Riemen's comments about her conversations and e-mails with council member Tom Lee, in which she said that professionalism needed to be addressed.
"You're getting personal. This is done," Capra told Riemen.
A group of five people attending the meeting called out for the mayor to let Riemen speak.After council members Lee and Jeff Paar responded that Riemen could continue, Capra gave Riemen and any speakers following her two minutes to complete their address.
When Riemen continued her remarks, she said that the council had not responded to her e-mails until the day of the meeting and that she felt unwelcome to speak. She further noted that if citizens inspected government data, they'd find that the City of Centerville carried a long-term debt of more than $8 million.Riemen recommended that residents become informed by visiting a Web site, Centerville Citizens for Ethical Taxation and Representation, at http://www.centervillemn.blogspot.com/. The next speaker, Laura Powers, called attention to a petition that started what she called a "power struggle." The petition was signed by more than 500 citizens and called for the city to step back and reassess the scope of the 2009 road project. She objected to allegations by at least one council member that the petition was invalid and called for the council to apologize. As a former Centerville council member, Powers said that the council was elected to serve, and that service comes with a responsibility to listen and display demeanor. The council heard out Powers and Riemen and resumed the meeting without further comment
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Is it The Fault of Others or Just Miscommunication?
A recent comment left by a citizen. There seems to be a pattern of behavior coming from elected officials.
Hello All, I live in the older neighborhood (behind Kelly's) that is slated to be torn down in phase two. I have had to deal with Dallas on a continuous basis. One story I would like to share. My property along with my neighbors is now the home for the additional power lines for the new downtown development. We were given a notice on our doors that all of our trees would have to be trimmed or come down completely (I would have had the most trees lost completely) in our backyard. These trees give us some privacy from the Chauncey Barett Gardens. I ask Xcel energy what easement do you have to take down 6 of my trees? Some of my neighbors had already given the ok but I held out as I knew that I would lose more property value. Xcel told me this, and I quote, "The city told us they [City] already owned all these properties." I told him that I own this house and until I see an easement bought by the city or Xcel, they are not going to get my signature to take my trees. Xcel immediately said they were not touching anything until the city deals with the home owners. I sent an email to Mayor Capra and she forwarded it on to Dallas (I also copied all the news stations and newspapers). Dallas called me ASAP and left a message that this was a miss-communication and it was Xcel that was in a hurry. This was curious because Xcel had no stake in the increase power needed at this time. Unfortunately, Xcel had already taken down trees in an elderly couples yard. Then, Xcel couldn't drive the truck over her neighbors yards (neighbors said no) and so they left the mess for the couple to clean up. The increase power lines now reside in our front yards. Xcel did some trimming but nothing like what it would have been had they run it in the back yard.My elderly neighbor lost the most in the entire ordeal. My question to Mayor Capra is, who is the advocate for the citizens? She never responded to any my questions.
Thanks for the outlet to speak our minds!
Margaret Lee
August 20, 2008 9:06 PM
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
Hello All, I live in the older neighborhood (behind Kelly's) that is slated to be torn down in phase two. I have had to deal with Dallas on a continuous basis. One story I would like to share. My property along with my neighbors is now the home for the additional power lines for the new downtown development. We were given a notice on our doors that all of our trees would have to be trimmed or come down completely (I would have had the most trees lost completely) in our backyard. These trees give us some privacy from the Chauncey Barett Gardens. I ask Xcel energy what easement do you have to take down 6 of my trees? Some of my neighbors had already given the ok but I held out as I knew that I would lose more property value. Xcel told me this, and I quote, "The city told us they [City] already owned all these properties." I told him that I own this house and until I see an easement bought by the city or Xcel, they are not going to get my signature to take my trees. Xcel immediately said they were not touching anything until the city deals with the home owners. I sent an email to Mayor Capra and she forwarded it on to Dallas (I also copied all the news stations and newspapers). Dallas called me ASAP and left a message that this was a miss-communication and it was Xcel that was in a hurry. This was curious because Xcel had no stake in the increase power needed at this time. Unfortunately, Xcel had already taken down trees in an elderly couples yard. Then, Xcel couldn't drive the truck over her neighbors yards (neighbors said no) and so they left the mess for the couple to clean up. The increase power lines now reside in our front yards. Xcel did some trimming but nothing like what it would have been had they run it in the back yard.My elderly neighbor lost the most in the entire ordeal. My question to Mayor Capra is, who is the advocate for the citizens? She never responded to any my questions.
Thanks for the outlet to speak our minds!
Margaret Lee
August 20, 2008 9:06 PM
Contact us privately with City information, news and personal stories. All contact information will be kept private and not posted on the blog unless requested.Email Centervilleblog@yahoo.com
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