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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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| | Email this article • Print this article | Council moves sewer extension project forward; unknown if land annexations will be voluntary
BY DENISE MARTIN
Over the next three weeks a number of Chisago Lake Township residents are weighing whether to take part in a Lindstrom city sewer line extension and annex their land into the city, or get embroiled in a contested process by not voluntarily participating.
Lindstrom City Council voted 5-0 in a special meeting last week ordering plans and specs for bringing municipal sewer to homes along Glader Blvd, off Olinda Trail and also to the Lake Lawn neighborhood west of Olinda.
City council members were consistent in their message that this project moves forward only with property owner participation.
Council also directed legal staff to notify Chisago Lake Township of the city's intention to annex parcels within the project areas into Lindstrom. Some parcel owners have already brought their lots into the city and need city sewer. Other parcel owners attending last week's meeting were reluctant to view this as positive.
Council member Joe Wishy made the motion moving the public works project forward. The motion also set the next public hearing reviewing possible assessments as July 30, at Lindstrom City Hall.
With the feasibility study done by that time, affected property owners will learn more about actual costs. Estimates now have individual sewer hookup expenses running about $9,000. Sewer Access Charge (SAC), to newly-connect to the city line, is $4,800.
Residents at last week's meeting asked if there are options available to defer hooking-up to the new line, or if Lindstrom can restructure assessments for the project spreading costs over undeveloped, but potential new lots, in the area that would also benefit from this sewer extension.
Council member Curt Flug stated the city is already participating in costs on behalf of all the people who may not be connecting to this city sewer, but who benefit from lake water improvements and public health issues being addressed.
Flug said the city can't "hopscotch" on where it provides sewer or doesn't provide it, and the only way to tackle septic system problems identified in this general area is a comprehensive approach.
Council members said there will never be one moment in time when everybody "needs" municipal sewer. Paying assessments for this extension is going to be unpopular with people who have functioning individual septic systems, council acknowledged.
Residents also inquired about their new tax burden when they enter the city. Under state law the township a parcel exits gets a portion of tax revenue over the first five years after the parcel disconnects. This percentage decreases until full tax revenue is being sent to the city.
Mayor Keith Carlson explained that, generally speaking, whatever the township tax is on their parcel, it will probably double under Lindstrom City taxation formula.
Council member Flug stressed that this is not a "land grab" by a city looking for acreage to grow into. Annexation is needed in order for the city to cover its costs for this project and users need to be in the city to be able to bill them. Many parcels involved are "substandard lots" (smaller than 15,000 square feet Lindstrom requires) and don't have any promise for any future development, Flug noted.
Council member Jim Singer reminded the residents that there is a wastewater treatment plant and wastewater collection network that has to be paid for. Deferral of revenues, in the long run (interest, legal fees, special contracts) only increases what the system needs to operate.
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