WWTF Buffer Land

Crow Wing County has continued to work through the list of tax forfeited properties they hold in an attempt to sell as many properties as possible off their list.  In Breezy Point we have a great deal of tax forfeited lots and parcels and a number of these are of interest to the city for various reasons. 

Much like the general public, the city is required to pay for tax forfeited properties if acquired.  Some counties will make tax forfeited properties available at no cost for public purposes.  From a county perspective the granting of properties at no cost places a “deed restriction” on the property as the property can only be used for the purpose it was granted.  The county is then obligated to assure that use continues for a period of 25 years.  If the property’s use changes, the property reverts back to the county.  This takes time and effort to accomplish the annual review so a number of years ago the county changed their policy to require all tax forfeited properties to be sold at market rate.  If the city purchases the property and at a later date determines it no longer has a need for it, it can be sold. 

I had previously discussed the purchase of properties in the city hall campus area.  The city also had an interest in two large lots that were adjacent to the wastewater treatment facility, south of the minimum maintenance road of Delaware Trail.  The two lots combined include about 4 acres of land and had a purchase price of $12,700.  It was felt these properties would give the city access to the Wastewater Treatment Facility from the north but also created a buffer between residential properties and the plant.  The City Council agreed to purchase these properties and will do so using funds from the Sewer Capital Fund.  

Seal Coating in 2016

In 2014 the city seal coated a number of roadways within Breezy Point.  Seal Coating amounts to the application of a thin layer of oil like tar with a cover coat of rock material.  The thin tar that is applied rejuvenates the asphalt and fills the voids of minor cracking that occurs in asphalt over time.  The rock material covers the tar to prevent slicking and creates a new wear surface.  This effort is something that is accomplished on road surfaces that are in good shape.  Crack seal in also important to be accomplished prior to seal coating.  It is a waste of resources to apply a seal coat to a roadway that has alligator cracking.   

In 2015 we had intentions again to accomplish seal coating but timing did not work out.  We cooperate with Crow Wing County on a joint bid and we did not have the opportunity to accomplish crack sealing in time for seal coat activities.  With funds available in 2015 we’ll combine them with funds in 2016 to do additional seal coating next summer. 

With two years of resources available in 2016 a considerable amount of seal coating is anticipated.  Seal coating is done primarily in neighborhoods and two areas have been selected.  One grouping of roads includes Beverly Drive, Russ Court, Rolling Oaks, East Street and 5^th Avenue.  The other grouping includes Mohican Circle, Eagle Lane, Sparrow Drive, Owl Circle, Canary Lane, Wren Drive, Robin Lane, Osceola Circle and Oriole Circle. 

The city council has approved the seal coating for these roadways so the process begins.  Plans and specifications will be drawn up by Crow Wing County and they will solicit bids.  Roadway maintenance has taken a back seat in terms of effort and expense but there is concern that we need to take care of what we have.  Pavement management is something we’re now thinking about.     

City Hall Campus

With a long vision the city of Breezy Point developed its City Hall, City Park and Public Safety Building with properties that were acquired through outright purchase and Tax Forfeiture lands.  In years past, the city had the ability to acquire Tax Forfeiture property from the county at no cost if used for a governmental purpose.  Governmental purposes included properties used for public buildings, parks and drainage ways as examples. 

At some time past Crow Wing County had determined that the “gift” of tax forfeited properties to governmental agencies was not the right way to go.  Providing them in this manner meant the properties essentially have deed restrictions.  These restrictions were to be kept track of and monitored as the governmental agency could only use them for their intended purposes.  Properties acquired in this manner could not be sold or exchanged.  If the intended purpose was changed, it could result in land going back to the county.  The county had too many of these types of transactions to keep track of.  They decided the properties, if wanted by a governmental body, could be purchased at a fair market value.  This removed the deed restrictions and obligations by the county in the future to monitor these lands.

Regardless of the county policy of disposition of Tax Forfeited property the city had established a goal of acquiring the lots in the area of the City Hall and Public Safety Building.  This goal was articulated in the Comprehensive Plan to acquire properties within the boundaries of North Drive, North Spruce Street, and Co. Rd. 11.  The city has been acquiring lands as they become available and recently Crow Wing County made all Tax Forfeiture property in the area described available for purchase.  A total of ten lots were on the county sale rooster. 

A price was established by the county for these ten properties at $11,700.  This may not seem to be the market value for 10 lots but they are unbuildable due to access or wetlands.  The majority are also small in size.  The city council agreed to the purchase of these properties making significant headway on achieving the goals for property acquisition.  With these, and other purchases this year, the city still has additional lots to acquire.  That number however has shrunk to 12 lots held by private parties.  It is hoped these too will be acquired in time. 

So you may ask what the city will do with these properties.  Our current needs have been met but the area of the City Hall Campus will likely host a larger park containing another ballfield, perhaps additional walking trails, and with time and especially funding the vision would be to someday have a community center.  You start with a dream and someday, with great effort, you hope to accomplish that dream.

2016 Preliminary Levy

As we move towards 2016 the city has been working on its budget.  With the economy seeing some changes for good and bad it is difficult to address all the needs that exist.  That being said the city has maintained a relatively flat levy for a good number of years, finding economies where we can.  The levy in 2010 was $1,779,090.  All levies from 2011 to 2015 have been less than the levy of 2010. 

With the preliminary levy for 2016 the total levy is $1,798,063.  This levy is an increase of 2.22% or a total increase of $39,983 from that of 2015.  As the levy is preliminary it can be reduced but can’t be exceeded.  We’re hoping to find some economies to reduce the levy but it could also go the other way.  The most that could be levied is that of the preliminary levy amount.  The final levy is accomplished in December.

The finances of the city have been something that we have worked hard to manage.  Debt service has been reduced substantially.  This allowed us to work on road improvements and to address some costs that would have been accomplished with debt by using cash.  The obvious advantage to this is the cost.  The process of getting there allows for some financial planning and minor interest earnings.  Having accomplished these steps it also provides for some flexibility in how we are able to operate. 

The city council has been respectful of taxpayers in setting levies in the past and continues to do so however an increase is warranted.  Doing more with less is obtainable for a period of time but at some point the levy has to increase.  The levy for 2016 is more than the 2010 levy but five years of levies between those years saw levies less than the 2010 levy.  It has finally come to the point for a levy that exceeded 2010. 

Paving Process for Winter Trail and Scenic Overlook

The process of paving a couple of roadways is underway for construction in 2016.  The roadways that are being considered for paving are Winter Trail from Logging Lane to Shady Trail and Scenic Overlook between White Overlook and Shady Trail.  Both of these roadways are partially paved.  Starting the process early allows for bidding to occur in the winter with construction to commence as soon as possible in the spring.  It also means that the project will get completed during the summer months.  

The process of paving streets and assessing the cost takes more time than one would think.  Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429 the process is dictated and involves a good number of steps.  Each of them can take a month or two to complete, depending on the complexity of the step involved. 

The process starts with a petition of a majority of property owners or council direction as to what is wanted to be accomplished.  With these directions a feasibility report is requested from the engineer.  The original request may involve paving but drainage facilities also need to be considered.  The report details the scope of the project and also identifies an estimate of costs.  With that estimate the amount of proposed assessment is generated for each property that would be assessed.

Upon receiving the report, the council takes the next step which is to call a public hearing to consider the improvements. Notice is mailed and published notice is also accomplished.  The property owners are given information on a proposed assessment.  At the hearing, those who wish to speak to the issue of the improvements are given that opportunity. 

After the public hearing is held the council considers whether or not to move the process on.  The next step is to order plans and specifications for the project.  These documents outline the extent of the work and are used by contractors who bid on the project.  Before moving to bidding the council needs to approve the plans and specifications and request the advertisement of bids.  Contractors are generally given 3 to 4 weeks to prepare their bids before a public bid opening. 

With the low bid in hand, the final assessment amount is calculated and considered by the council.  An assessment hearing is then called after published and mailed notice to property owners.  At the hearing those involved are again given the opportunity to be heard on the assessments.  If the council feels comfortable with moving forward they will adopt the assessment roll. 

After this step the council orders the project construction, awards the bid, and the improvements will commence towards construction. The project of Scenic Overlook and Winter Trail, if the process is completed, should see construction as soon as road restrictions are removed in the spring of 2016.