Temporary Signs and Banners

For three or four years there has been an ongoing concern about the use of banners and temporary signs in Breezy Point.  The language in the code was subject to a number of interpretations.  The issues of location were questioned.  Some advertising vehicles were not defined and vendors were looking for ways to gain attention for their businesses. 

Through this process of clarification a number of approaches were tried to define what is acceptable and what wasn’t.  The location issue assumed there was a building in which banners could be displayed while “freestanding” banners were not defined.  The use of right-of-ways came into question.   A black and white definition of various advertising units is tenuous but an attempt was made to gain consensus. 

The Planning Commission asked some of the business community to meet with them.  They wanted a better understanding about what concerns the businesses had.  The commissioners also wanted to explain the problems they had with the existing code language.  The meeting resulted in a consensus that was acceptable to those involved and was forwarded to the city council.  The City Council raised several concerns and asked that the commission revisit the issue.  The commission asked for additional council member insight as to what was wanted or needed. 

A second meeting was called that included two Council Members, two Planning Commissioners and the business community members previously consulted.  Concerns were shared and clarifications were made.  The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended changes bringing it to the city council for approval.  The changes were approved allowing for new rules to live by.  The bottom line is we gained a consensus on what is acceptable and we’re hopeful that the consensus can continue with full understanding and compliance.         

Rezoning at Deacons

With the development of Deacons Lodge Golf Course was the platting of the land in and around the golf course.  The subdivision was platted as Deacon Lodge First Addition.  The majority of the lots created were for the establishment of a number of vacation rental homes, along Palmer Court.  On the west side of Arnold Palmer Drive three lots were platted that have not been built on.  These three lots are zoned R-3, Medium Density Residential. 

It is unclear what the purpose of these were at the time of development of the golf course.  Typically if land is adjacent to the course and has public access it is platted for future development, which was done.  With the sale of Deacon Lodge Golf Course these properties were not part of that sale.  Recently however these parcels became available and sold to Whitebirch, Inc.    

A petition for rezoning was made.  The request was made for the purpose of developing additional vacation rental properties.  These are only allowed in the Resort Commercial Zoning District.  Deacons Lodge Golf Course is zoned Resort Commercial.  The Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the request for rezoning.  As their decision is a recommendation it is received by the city council for final consideration. 

The city council approved the rezoning of the three lots to Resort Commercial.  With this zoning change the owners now have the ability to develop the property with any uses allowed in this zoning district.  The majority of these uses require the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit which requires an additional public hearing and the setting of conditions on the proposed development of the property.  In developing this property one huddle is now out of the way.

2016 Levy

Under Minnesota state law cities are required to hold a budget meeting in December of each year to discuss the budget and the proposed levy for the following year.  In Breezy Point the meeting is generally held during the regular meeting in December.   At this meeting general finances are discussed along with some information about how taxes are calculated and what the projected city tax rate is for the following year.  Included were projections for taxes on various property values for both residential and commercial properties.  A comparison was also made showing what the rate in Breezy Point is in relation to other neighboring jurisdictions. 

In looking at the proposed taxes an increase in the amount may be noted.  It is important to understand where that increase comes from.  There are three main jurisdictions that levy property taxes.  These are the city, county and the school.  Each is responsible for their levy amount.  Increases in any of these can increase your taxes.  There is also the market value of your property.  An increase in market value will likely mean an increase in total taxes for all jurisdictions. 

The proposed levy amount is $1,798,063.  The city has been fortunate to see growth in its tax capacity.  It grew $272,463 for a total of $4,249,337.  The projected tax rate based on this levy for Breezy Point is 42.617% for 2016.  This compares to the final tax rate of 44.175% in 2015.  This tax rate decreased slightly, by about 1.5%, from that of 2015.  The rate reduction is on top of a levy increase of $39,983 for 2016.  The increase in the levy is 2.22%. 

The city of Breezy Point’s final levy and budget for 2016 was approved.     

Collections

Cities provide utility services such as water and sewer to their residents.  The city expects to be paid for these.  In the past few years we’ve made it easier to pay these bills on line or even over the phone with a credit card.   Even with that, some individuals fall behind.  When they do, past due reminders are sent out.  We stop service for most past due users but some don't follow through with a payment plan or other issues get in the way of dealing with these bills.   When the amount is significant the council certifies the bill to taxes.  Not only does the property owner get the bill for unpaid services they also get an additional $50 added as a charge for certifying to the tax rolls.  Ignoring the sewer bill may free up some short term funds but in the end it will cost significantly more to go this route.  Four sanitary sewer bills were posted to the tax rolls for collection in this manner. 

The city also provides for the collection of Sewer Availability Changes (SAC) fees with taxes.  A SAC fee is the charge that is made for the property owner’s share of the Wastewater Treatment Facility, Lift Stations and Related Trunk Facilities.  One SAC fee is considered a Residential Equivalent Unit.  Each home connected to the sewer system pays one SAC fee.  A commercial activity would pay a larger fee equal to the number of residential equivalents the activity would generate. 

The city has a policy where a property owner can certify the SAC fee to the lot and pay over a period of up to 15 years with interest.  One property owner selected to have his fee assessed over one year and this too was certified to the tax roll for collections. 

Although cities have this authority to collect unpaid bills by certification to taxes it becomes justified when you look at fairness to all tax payers.  In addition having the ability as a property owner to pay over a period of time is also a benefit to the owner.  Certification to the tax rolls is a useful tool.