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Residents filled the Courtland City Council Chambers on Thursday evening as the Mayor/Council held an Improvement Hearing on the Collin Drive Improvement Project before their regular monthly meeting.
Joe Duncan and Eric Hauser, representing Bolten and Menk, distributed a preliminary assessment roll to the residents.
"I have done this for about 25 years, but I will explain how the assessment roll works as it might be new to some," said Duncan. "We use State Statute Chapter 429 as a guide for how to set assessments. Currently, the plan is to assess 75 percent of the project costs to the residents with 25 percent to be covered by the city."
He continued, "A preliminary report was given to the council at their December meeting, and the council decided to move to the next step which is this Improvement Hearing. If the council agrees to move forward after tonight's hearing, then we (Bolten and Menk) will prepare the Plans and Specifications for the project and give those to the council at their March meeting. They will need to approve the Plans and Specifications before any advertising for bids can be done."
Hauser explained how the project would change Collin Drive from a gravel road to a 9-ton bituminous pavement with curb and gutter. He also explained the five-tier approach for how percentage of costs should be assessed to residents. The tiers would be figured by the size of their properties. A non-adjacent property to Collin Drive would be by either under three acres or over three acres; or adjacent to Collin Drive by less than two acres, two to five acres, or larger than five acres.
"The plan is to start construction in May with substantial completion by August. October would be the Assessment Hearing with June 2025 as the final completion date. It is best if the last two inches of bituminous is installed the next year after construction," said Hauser.
Resident Bryan Clancy said, "I'm wondering why I was told by the developer that I wouldn't be assessed, but now here we are. I suppose if I have 5 lots to sell and tell them they won't be assessed then they would be more valuable. I look at the bigger picture and maybe the developer should give us some of our money back."
Mayor Al Poehler responded, "The agreement was between the city and the developer, and I was not a developer for the road. If a developer defaults, the city has the right to assess the property."
Resident Steve Grossmann questioned whether he needed to get sewer and water services if he only has a storage building on the property.
Joe Duncan explained that there could be a 10 year waiting period for water and sewer if not installed during the project. The reason is because they wouldn't want to tear up the new street too quickly.
Project Developer Jason Kuester expressed his feelings about the money that he's put into his development and what he has done for the city. Poehler responded that all developers turn roads back to the city.
After all the residents' concerns were addressed, Poehler concluded by saying, "We try to be consistent. I'd love to get these assessments down a little. We need to get a hard number with a bid." Councilwoman Pam Rodewald added, "Although, the numbers probably won't go down."
After the hearing was closed, the council approved Resolution 24-108 to Accept Report and Authorize Plans for the Collin Drive Improvements.