HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-16 PACKET 12.B.REf�UES7 OF CI°Tl' CbUhlCIL ACl"BORI CCYl1NCIL AGENDA
I�AEETI(dC ITEM #
�P,TE 9l16/98
PREPARED BY: Community Development Kim lindquist
�RIGl�lATING DEPARTME�'T STA�� AU7"FiOR
..«.»...Q...a..�«�.�«4��AA...>ti�e4m�.�4�trs��ffitr.g
s , � . �
Workshop discussion on financial guarantees for public improvements and area charges.
M . , �
� � y � � � �
�� �
■ � • •'.
� •��
■
i � � ♦,��..• •. • ♦ , .�
Memo from Kim �indquist dated 9l14/98
. � �. �:
lE Al REC MMENDATION:
� OTHER: 1) F2esponses from other area cities 40 our survey on financiai guarantees
for public improvements dated 9/14/98
2) Memo from Gary Berg dated 8/24/92 and Excerpt from minutes of Regular
City Councii meeting on 9/2l92
3) Memo from Gary Berg dated Sl11092 and Excerpt from minutes of Regular
City Council meeting on 9l16/92
4) Memo fram Jack Clinton da4ed 4l28/93 and Excerpt from minutes of Regular
City Council meeting on 5/5/93
ADMIPIISTRATORS COMMENTS
/
Gity Administrator Date
.�m.�s.�.a����Q.�e�a.�Wtrmaa�.���.�.���.���«�����
cc�u�ceL �c�rso� - r����: ❑ ap��zcs��� ❑ ���i�� [� c�
. � :. � . , ... . R , wr , .,,�..
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Ryan Schroeder, C+ty Administrator
FROM: Kim Lindquist, Community Development Director
DATE: Sepfember 14, 1998
RE: Financial Guarantees
INTRODUCTION
!n August, the City Councii requested staff review existing financiai guarantees as they relate
to other communities within the metro area. Ryan Schroeder and myself inet with Mike Rygh
and Klaus Becker on August 10, 1998 to discuss their concems regarding the number of de-
velopment related items which require a financiai guarantee. They pointed specifically to the
40% surety on special assessment items, which are the public improvements plus area
charges. They felt this level of guarantee was too high and that other communities required
less. They aiso feit that developers with a good " track record " in the community shouid be
given a discount.
Staff said they would survey other communities to assess the level of financial sureties other
cities require. A survey was sent out in August with a follow-up in early September. Information
from eleven cities was received out of the seventeen requested. Cities where new develop-
ment occurred were targeted and geographicaily, were second and third ring suburbs of
Minneapolis and St. Paul.
SURVEY DISCUSSION
The information garnered from the surveys does not produce a clear pattem or uniformity
among the cities as it relates to financiai sureties for special assessments. In general, it
appears that cities with higher land values do not require a financia( guarantee. This could be
because the default rate is less or that the tax-forfeited land is readily resold and the specials
paid. Upon further investigation, several cities indicated that private installation of public utili-
ties was more prevatent and therefore 150°/a of the total construction costs were guaranteed by
some type of surety. From the survey, it appears that somewhat rapid growth cities such as
Eagan, Coon Rapids and Woodbury require a financial surety for the special assessments.
Woodbury is lower at 25% (or one year worth of the special assessments), Eagan is higher at
60%, and Coon Rapids is the same as Cottage Grove, at 40%.
None of the cities polled indicated any preferential treatment for developers who have previ-
ously accomplished successfui projects in the City. Aithough this idea may appear logical,
often other factors such as poor lot design, necessary soil coRections, presence of wetiands or
other topographic limitations may prompt the "unsaleability of a lot. Longevity in the City also
Financial Guarantee Memo
September 14, 1998
Page 2 of 2
does not assure financial stability. From my own experiences, I worked with a developer on
four projects, two of which he walked away from. The default projects did not relate chrono-
logicaliy to his tenure in the city as a developer. The use of a preferentiai system is also more
difficult to administer. The definition of a successfui project is somewhat subjective and there-
fore more open to negotiation.
HISTORY
In September 1992, the City Council reviewed a draft Subdivision Ordinance which required
the "subdivider sha11 be required to post financial guarantees to ensure completion of all im-
provements required by this ordinance, the preliminary and finai plat resolutions, and the
subdivision agreement. The financial guarantees shall be in the form of cash, escrow, or {etter
of credit." There was no defined amount for the financial guarantee. The ordinance further re-
quired a 15% cash deposit of the estimated totai cost of the pubiic improvements.
At the meeting, Bill Prichard, Orrin Thompson requested that the Councii reconsider the 15%
cash deposit. instead, he suggested the City assess 100% of the proposed improvements and
require a letter of credit guarantee of 125% of the project cost. The Council tabled the draft
ordinance.
On September 16, 1992, the City Council unanimously adopted the ordinance. The new pro-
posai required that 100% of the public improvements be assessed. Further, it required that the
developer provide a letter of credit for a minimum of 125% of the estimated cost of such im-
provement. "Said letter of credit will be reduced as assessments are paid. If assessments are
not paid in the year due, the Letter of Credit will be reduced accordingly.°
in April of the following year, the City Attorney wrote an internal staff memo discussing
changing the financial guarantee to 40°/a of the special assessments. His memo discusses the
15°� cash deposit, which was deleted as part of the 1992 amendment to the subdivision ordi-
nance. It is staffs' recollection that the change from 125% to 40% was due to developer
concerns about the high cost of the required financial surety. The finance department staff re-
viewed previous delinquencies and found that approximately 40% surety would have covered
the lost assessments. The Council unanimously passed the ordinance amendment.
Since that time, the staff has required a 40% financial guarantee for the pubfic improvements
and area charges, all of which are assessed. If the developer prepays some portion of the
assessments, prior to their certification, the 40°/a is calculated on only that portion assessed.
Since 1993, there have been no defaults on the speciai assessments until last year. The
Groveland Cottages are currently delinquent $88,412 for 1997. it is assumed that the portion
allocated in 1997, payable 1998 wili also be delinquent. In total $278,592.36 was assessed
with only 26% of the assessments havi�g been paid. The staff has begun the process for
cashing in the existing Petter of credit. The amount of the surety for the assessments on this
project is $89,213.39.
REQUESTED ACTION
Staff is requesting direction from the Council.
�
J ~
Q z
Ug
Q �
Z Q
LL � �
d
o � �
P
W J r
� a �
�
o O o.
W W �
N W
Z
a
��
w
�_
�
.:
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
N
tII
l4
�U
N
a
N
N
�
a
>.
U
.
�
a
7
3
�
C
�
U
a
�
a
y
L
U
�
Y
3
�
�
�
v
c
w
..
�
m
�
w
�
�
c
co
a�
E
�
c
a�
E
�
>
0
�
a
E
U
.O
�
d
��-�b�
� 1��, Z
� ��
l i ��
f�
T0:
FROM
DATE:
� ._.. , .. . �
i
Honorable Mayor & City Council
City Administrator
ary M. Berg, AICP, Director of Community Development
August 24, 1992
SUBJECT: Highlights of Major Issues - Subdivision.Regu�ations
INTRODUCTION
These amendments represent the culmination of ten (10) staff drafts of these regulations, two
Planning Commission drafts, and this third City Council draft fafter developer meeting of June
8, 1992). The foi�owing staff peopie had input over the past 14 months in this preparation:
City Attorney, Finance Director, City Engineer, Pub(ic Works Staff, Parks Director, Planning
Staff and City Administrator.
A great deal of changes are housekeeping items such as definitions making the document
gender neutral, grammar or clarification items. A number of changes require items for
submission of preliminary and final plats that allow a more compiete review by the advisory
commissions, city staff, consultants and City Council members.
Based on experience over the past 3-5 years, problems in erosion control, gradi�g compliance,
compietion of on-site improvements, probiems in getting park iand dedications, easements,
subdivision agreements and a host of items that have rendered the City in a position of
unenforceable compromises. These changes should clean up the bulk of these issues.
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
As is our usual staff practice, crossed out items are proposed to be deleted, underiined items
are proposed to be added. Straight typing means no change is proposed. To help yo� identify
items, it wiil be Page_, Line . The foliowing commentary highlights the major changes.
However, staff is prepared to discuss any.item in the document.
DEVELOPER CONCERNS
Thirteen (13) developer(buiiders were invited to meet with the City Staff o� June 8, 1992.
Two (Orrin Thompson Homes and Mike Rygh) accepted our invitation. the following concerns
were raised:
1. P. 19, lines 26-30 - request for the City to pay with interest
unused deposited amounts previously submitted by developers
for plats that are abandoned.
Staff recommendation: Accept the developers suggestion with
the understanding that administrative charges wil! be subtracted
from the account.
2. P. 29, Iines 6-13 - Suggestion for increases in caliper of trees in
future right-of-ways to be replaced be increased from 3 inches
for any tree, to 6 inches for hardwoods and 12 inches for
sottwoods. Where the subdivision is fully wooded and no
transferring to open areas is practical, a 5100 fee for each tree
removed (6" + and 12" +) be paid by the subdivider into the Park
Trust Fund for tree planting elsewhere in the City.
Staff response: Agreed.
3. P. 45, lines 1-8 - Comment that prior signature on the
subdivider's contract does not allow for an appeai to the City
Councii of the subdivision agreement.
Staff response: Don't sign the agreement and state your case at
the next applicable City Councii meeting.
4. P. 37 lines 19-36, Request a provision be inciuded to allow the
developer to "hire" the City Engineer to build improvements thus
by passing Minn. Statute 429 and avoid the 21 day bidding
process. The idea would be that the contractor would be
working for, and totaliy accountable to, the City Engineer.
Staff response: On the surface such a relationship appears
practical; however, Minn. Statutes 429.041 sub(7! makes
projects over 55,000 an advertised public bidding process...
"if the estimated costs exceeds 55,000, shali
advertise for bids for the improvement in the
newspaper and such other papers and for such
length of time as it may deem advisable. if the
estimated costs excaeds 5100,000, pubiications
shall be made no less than three weeks before the
lasc day for submission of bids once in the
newspaper and at least once in either a newspaper
p�blished in a city of the first class or a trade
paper."
Mayor.& City Council, City Administrator - Memo
August 24, 1992
Page 3
5. P. 41, lines 9-14 - Request was to reduce the fifteen (15)
percent advance deposit for pubiic improvements. Since the City
is asking for all the park land dedication up front, the developers
feel that combini�g fifteen percent outlay is a large financiai
b�rden.
Another idea is to assess 100% and take a Letter of Credit for
125%of the project until the utilities, streets, c�rbs, etc. are
accepted by the city.
Staff response: This money can be used to offset a�y legal
issues, staff time and is mainiy used for engineering desigr�,
consuitations, etc.. Some communities have gone as high as �
25%. As a result, 15% is more than fair and covers city
minimum expenses.
6. P. 65, line 9-12 - Sodding of front yards and side street yards
was not a probiem. Enforcement of the "...when should it be
completed" revisits an old issue of when street trees and sod
should be instalied and by whom.
Staff response: The Subdivision agreement and the Ordinance
clearly spell out that the subdivider shali not pass along the
responsibility of instailing on and off-site improvements to the
builder or home buyer. In addition, the City Administrator will
ir:*iate a late Spring(June i 5) and mid Fali (September 1 5)
inventory of norncompiiance and direct performance of any
required work with the cost to be deducted from the developer's
financial guarantees. Page 41, lines 28-36.
Because of the probiem with species, size, shape and condition,
the City Forester will take over tree planting details with
plantings to be accompiished in the iate Fali of each year. P 63,
lines 33-35.
7. P. 45, lines 1-8 request that the twice per year bonding date
deadlines of Feb 15 and July 31st be modified to reflect "real
world" development calendars.
Staff response: Adjusted deadlines to Aprii 15th and Juiy 1st.
Based on staff responses to this memo, we have adjusted or not adjusted the next draft for
City Council review.
Mayor & City Council, City Administrator - Memo
August 24, 1992
Page 4
SUMMfiRY
Page 23-18, lines P. 37-39 outlines the subdivision agreement signed between the subdivider
ar,d the City. Note that future residents are not part of this agreement. There is no option
for private engineering a�d construction of pubiic streeis and public utilities. Engineering
design, bidding and inspection, etc. wi11 be done by the City's consulting engineer.
Section 23-19. Financiai guarantees - page 40-47 . This section requires a financial guarantee
of 150% of the estimated cost of improvements inciuding labor versus the previous 125%
amount. When the City was forced to call in the financiai guarantees in the past, 125% did
not cover the amounts necessary to do the work.
Section 23-21 . Improvement guarantees - Page 44, line 9-18. This section wi(I not aliow a
reduction less than 10% of the originai amount. Oniy the City Council will approve the finai
release of financial guarantees. This is the financial encouragement for a developer to
complete ail the work.
Section 23-23. Subdivider's request for construction of subdivision improveme�ts - Page 45,
line 1-8. The City finances public improvements. Bond sales need to be estimated to help
the cash flow for contractor payments. These deadiines will be one of the most constraining
items in the proposed document and are addressed and adjusted in the developer's comments
to twice per year, April 15 and July 1st.
Section 23-26. Pubiic sites and open space (Park land dedicationl. The City can use a
combination of Iand and cash for subdivision of all types of land. Historically,
commercial/i�dustriai subdivisions have not had a dedication requirement. This section
reduces the cash dedication from 10% to 4% and is proposed to be collected. The proposal
on Page 51, lines 8-10, limits a project with its own recreation facilities to a 50% reduction.
Solar energy statement. Page 53, lines 3-8. The City has never enforced this provision and
recomme�ds this paragraph be dropped.
Article V. Minim�m Design and Engineering Standards. Probably, the guts of changes that
affect the physicai appearance of subdivisions are in this section.
- Page 54, lines 11-13, clarifies !ot frontage and access.
- Page 54, lines 36-37 and page 55, tines 1-5, double frontage lots
will be longer with noise attenuation in mind.
- Page 55, lines 8-12, previousiy there were no requiremenis for
cul-de-sacs widths for lots. By policy, the Planning staff, in
reviewing building permits were measuring zoning district
frontage requirements at the building setbacks. in doing so,
certain probiems did not go away. Driveways in one home were
actuafty in the front yard of another. Driveway side yard
Mayor & City Councii, City Administrator - Memo
August 24, 1992
Page 5
setbacks were being violated. Snow storage is a major problem
for both adjacent property owners as weii as for the City crews.
60 feet at the cui-de-sac property line would now be required.
Page 55, line 36 and page 56, lines 1-4, require all lots to have
20 feet of useable backyard behind each home.
- Page 59, lines 1-24 - Street right-of-way width. Traffic
engineers suggest that there are too many variables in traffic
standards to leave requirements in oniy one dimension. A range
of right-of-way width is suggested with the analysis of specific
street width given on a per street basis.
- Page 63, lines 33-35, define the minimum size of tree to be
pianted. Tree selection and planting wili be done in the Fail by
the City Forester. Because of the quantities involved, we may
ask the Council at some point, to amend this to twice per year.
Page 65, lines 9-12 (sodding), requires lots to be sodded from
the curb to the rear ot the unit and are inciuded in the fi�ancial
guarantee. Side street sodding is from the curb to the side yard
setback is aiso required.
- Page 74, Iines 8-12 requires aii aspects of the subdivision
agreement have been satisfied and utility and street construction
contracts have been awarded before the first building permit is
issued.
- Page 73, lines 1-3, requires that siopes in excess of 15% cannot
be rough graded. However, individual home sites can be
constructed with erosion control measures.
Additions -
Because of the rural policies no; in affect by the Metropolitan Councii and under provisions
for unsewered lots in the 1991 Wetlands Conservation Act, page 69 lines 24-33 requires two
approved septic tank areas for each unsewered lot. Page 69, lines 24-26 has been changed
to require two soil borings and two percolation tests on each unsewered lot.
The 1992 Legislature provided legislation to require monuments (property corner pins) to be
set within one year of recording of the final piat as well as financiai guarantees for
placements. Page 38, line 36 and page 71, lines 33-35 reflect these changes.
Erosion control and drainage swale monitoring resulted in extens+ve additions to Sea 23-36
` Erosion Control during construction, Erosion control practices now are tied to practices
recommended in the "MN Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control Planning
Nlayor & City Councii, City Administrator - Memo
Q.ugust 24. 7 992
Page 6
Handbook," conditions set by the City Councii and/or the app�icable Watershed Management
Organization per page 72, line 9-12.
Page 72, lines 24-25 requires timetables for seeding or sod repiacement.
Lands with slopes of 15% or greater are not to be rough graded. However, page 73, lines 1-3
ailow for construction of individual homesites on such lots.
Page 73, lines 32•36 and page 74, lines 1-17 require such items as certifications of
compiiance with the mass grading plan. "HOId down elevations" are now required to achieve
a neutral dirt balance for excavations. "Nold down elevation" is defined on page 7, lines 34-
36. it means providing enough area around a structure to allow excavated dirt to be spread
without affecting the drainage plan
Critical drainage areas are to be identified on the grading plan with the City Engineer
authorized to use whatever measures are necessary to reduce or eliminate the adverse affects
on storm water runoff. This change aiso formally authorizes the City Engineer to amend a
grading pian. _
A major provision requires that a surveyor certify each lot is in compliance with the grading
pian prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Page 39, line 1 makes this
requirement a part of the financial guarantee. Winter occupancies are taken into account with
certifications to be completed by May 31 st of each year.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance revision.
A:\wp51\subdiv.memo
�
Regular City Council Meeting - 9/2192
�
fields, stating that the Cottage Grove Athletic Association (CGAA)
schedules field usage.
Dennis VanderHorst of 8881 Ivystone Court expressed frustration over the
shortage of softball fields. Without more youth facilities, the CGAA
will be forced to turn players away next year.
Council advised VanderHorst that staff is currently searching for
properties to acquire for an athletic complex. The construction of a
complex, however, will take time.
Nancy Anderson of 7498 Ivystone Avenue South, thanked staf£ for
responding to their concerns. Anderson stated that she recently
received a request from tee ball teams to, at least for their last game,
allow them to play on a regular softball field. Tee ball players have
had to play on qrass fields at Highland Park. The field consisted of
two posts and a chain link fence for a backstop.
Yvonne Beebe of 6610 Hyde Avenue South requested that the City consider
allowing the girls to use one of the adult fields at the Lamar Ball
Field.
Council directed Staff to meet with representatives of the CGAA and-the
School District to discuss the assignment of athletic fields equitably,
along with the suggestion of assigning one field at the Lamar Ball
Fields for youth softball.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - rtone
BID AWARDS - None
UNFII�tIS�-IED AND NEW BUSINESS
� Subdivision Ordinance
Council discussed the following provisions in the proposed Subdivision
Ordinance:
1. requiring minimum 44-foot width residential streets proposed by
Public Safety, Health, and Welfare Commission;
2. tree replacement plan (#19, pg. 29);
3. levying of sewer, water, and storm sewer area charges (#14, pg.
25) ;
4. identification of the type of homes to be constructed on each lot
(#8, pg. 26j; and
5. not allowing the transfer or signing over of obligations to install
and pay for off-site improvements (,�2, pg. 39).
Council discussed the prospect of including languaqe in the ordinance
requiring a developer to instruct prospective buyers to contact the City
� to land use/zoning maps of adjacent properties.
Bill Pritcherd of Orrin Thompson Homes requested that the Council
consider including a provision in the ordinance that would allow a
Regular City Council Meeting - 9/2/92 8
developer to "hire" the City Engineer to build improvements, thus
bypassing Minn. Stat. 429, and avoiding the 21-day bidding process. The
second proposal presented by Pritcherd involved reducing the 15% advance
deposit for public improvements, and suggested possibly assessing 100%
of the proposed improvements and require a letter of credit guarantee of
125� of the project. Thirdly, Pritcherd asked for more flexibility on
the timing of sod and boulevard tree installation.
Council briefly discussed the provisions highlighted by Mr. Pritcherd.
Motion to table the Subdivision Agreement for a period of two-to-four
weeks, to give staff time to research some of the items discussed, made
by Councilmember Raun. Seconded by Councilmember Rageth. Motion
Unanimously Carried.
Property Taxpavers' Trust Fund
Motion to adopt RESOLUTION N0. 92-188, a resolution concerning a
constitutional amendment to create a new property taxpayers� trust fund
in Minnesota, made by Councilmember Buth. Seconded by Councilmember
Raun. Motion Unanimously Carried.
Shoreland Fishing/Off-Road Parking in the Grev Cloud Slouah Area
Fredrickson presented a proposal that the City acquire and develop lands
on Lower Grey Cloud Island to accommodate off-road parkinq and shoreland
fishing opportunities in the area.
Motion to direct staff to look at leasing or purchasing lands in the
Grey Cloud Slough area that may be developed in cooperation with the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to provide shoreline fishing
and off-road parking opportunities for area�fishermen, made by Councilm-
ember Raun. Seconded�by Councilmember Wolcott. Motion Unanimously
Carried. � �
Utilitv Payment Boxes
Motion to approve Agreements with American Payment Center to move the
utility payment box at City Hall to a curb location in the amount of
$430, and to install a utility payment box at Cub Foods in the amount of
$24 per month, made by Councilmember Raun. Seconded by Councilmember
Rageth. Motion Unanimously Carried.
Government Access Programmina Contract - Cable Access Corporation
Motion to Approve the Contract between the City of Cottage Grove and the
South Washington County Community Cable Access Corporation for govern-
ment access programming and support services, and authorize the Mayor
and City Administrator to sign the contract on behalf of the City, made
by Councilaiember Wolcott. Seconded by Councilmember Buth. Motion
Unanimously Carried. ' •
� i ,
i
J� �'/ J�J✓-
�~
TO: Mayor & City Council, City Administrator
FROM: Gary M. Berg, AICP, Director of Community Development
DATE: September 11, 1992
SUBJECT: Questions Regarding Proposed Subdivision Ordinance Revisions
BACKGROUND
On September 2, 1992, the City Council tabled the proposed subdivision regulations waiting
for responses on a number of issues.
1. Allowing the developer to pay for improvements.
2. Allowing the developer to assess 100% of improvements with a
125% Letter of Credit.
3. Statement on tree pianting.
4. Pubiic Safety Commission proposal for 44 foot wide local streets
in lieu of 32 foot wide Iocai streets.
5. Sodding of drainage swaies.
DISCUSSION
1. Ailow the devefo�er to aav for imarovements. For the purpose of maintaining
control, staff recommends that this option be ailowed only on rare occasio�s
and by special request. Because the ordinance as proposed does not preclude
this option, it is recommended that the language remain as written.
2. Ailow the developer to assess 100% of the proposed improvements (utiiities,
curb and gutter and street gradinq and surfacina) with a 125% Letter of Credit.
Staff has no objection to these proposed changees, but only requests that we
use one method oniy. 100% assessments on one project and financial
guarantees on others, partiais on a third is only asking for confusion and
potential mistakes.
Mayor & Councii, City Administrator - Memo
September 10, 1992
Page 2
If the Council desires to change to the above method, p. 41 lines 9-14 should be deleted and
the following wording added:
(a) Pubiic Improvements. One hundred percent (1�0%) of improvements,
including but not limited to street lighting, pubiic sanitary sewer, water, storm
sewer, curb and gutter, street grading and street bituminous surfacing, shall be
assessed against properties in the subdivision. The developer shali provide a
Letter of Credit for a minimum of one hundred twenty five percent (125%1 of
the estimated cost of such improvements. Said letter of credit will be reduced
as assessments are paid. If assessments are not paid in the year due, the
Letter of Credit will be reduced accordingly.
3. Boulevard Tree Plantina. P. 63, lines 33-35 notes that the City will take over
this duty and piant in the fal( of each year. No individuai developer wili be
allowed to piant their own trees. Monies will come from financial guarantees
provided by the deveioper.
4. Fortv-four t441 foot wide ioca( streets. A two digit change woufd be needed
on P. 59, line 9. Whiie that seems smaii the impacts are enormous. The
impacts involve the Planning Commission, Public Works and Public Safety. So
far, all you have before you is minutes from Pub�ic Safety. 32 foot local streets
are the widely accepted norm for local roads, and staff continues to
recommend that standard.
5. Sodding of Drainape Swales. P. 74, lines 3-5 require criticai drainage areas to
be identified with prevention measures approved and required by the City
Engineer. Sodding may be one of a number of ineasures that are necessary for
erosion controi and to prevent the aiteration of drainage patterns. '
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance with the change identified in item number two.
NOTE: Please bring Subdivision Ordinance from the
September 2, 1992 meeting.
m
Regular City Council Meeting - 9/16/92
�
0
-Location of north/south collector street west of existing Harkness
Avenue
made by Councilmember Buth. Seconded by Councilmember Raqeth. Motion
Unanimously Carried.
Council took a five minute break.
The meeting reconvened. The Council proceeded to discuss the five
remaining issues, and consented to the following:
�nnamed road (°NONA") around Hamlet Park
Eliminate from plan.
�k
70th St. extension through the GoebeZ property
Eliminate from plan.
�k
ReaZignment of Military Road
Eliminate £rom plan.
�
'� 95th Street extension roadway classification
Concurred with the staff's recommendation to upgrade classification
of proposed roadway to a minor arterial, and fine tune proposed
future traffic network.
'�` Jamaica Avenue extension between 100th St. and 110th St
Eliminate from plan.
Comprehensive Sewer Policv Plan
Motion to table the Comprehensive Sewer Policy Plan (May 1992} made by
Councilmember Rageth. Seconded by Councilmember Raun. Motion Unani-
mous2y Carried.
Subdivision Regulations - Chapter 23
Motion to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 577, an ordinance adopting Chapter 23,
Subdivision Regulations, of City Code in its entirety, made by Council-
member Raun. Seconded by Councilmember Wolcott. Motion Unanimously
Carried.
Motion to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 578, an ordinance for the City of Cottage
Grove, Minnesota, amending Chapter 28, Zoning Ordinance oP the City
Code, adding public and quasi-public uses as conditional use permits in
� the B-2 Retail Business District made by Councilmember Buth. Seconded
by Councilmember Raun. Motion Unanimously Carried.
Phone Svstem Studv - Elert & Associates
���..
r
�1._ _
JACK W. CLINTON, P.A.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
B750 - 90TH STREET SOUTH SUITE 20'1
COTTAGE GROVE. MINNESOTA SSD16-3301
JACK W. CIiNTON
F.JDS'cPH TAYLDR
KATHLEEN M. CD7T •
• elso Liceneetl In Arizona
NEhfO T0:
PROM:
RE:
DATE:
DIANE ARCHER, FINANCE DIRECTOR
i.�ARY BERG, DIR£CTOR OF COMMUNITY D£VELOPM£NT
JOHN MCCUOL, IOR PLANAIER
JACK W. CLIN ON �--�OC�
ORDINANCE AM NDING SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
AYRIL 28, 199
3ackqround
PHONE (6'12) 459-66a4
FAX: (612) 459-4719
LEGAL ASSISTANT
CINDY L. JOHNSON
Based on Diane's review of the status on payments of assessments,
there have been certain subdivisions which are delinquent in their_
assessment payments. We discussed how to address the problem. Of
the subdivisions, the one which had the greatest delinquency
consisted of approximately 400 of the lots in the development.
� Under the City•s current procedure, a 15o cash deposit is paid at
the time the development is started. However, based on the timing
of the City's bond issue, the City does not need the lSa cash
deposit to meet its cash flow needs.
We discussed deleting the 15o cash requirement, and substituting a
letter of credit so that the City is guaranteed paymer.t on the
assessments. '
Discussion
In determining the amount of the letter of credit, we discussed two
options: 1) require a letter of credit for the full amount of the
improvements, 2) provide some lesser fiqure.
All of the City's subdivisions have had success in selling Iots.
It appears that the subdivisions which have delinquencies are not
selling certain lots.
Based on the subdivision in the worst condition, 40% af the
assessments are delinquent. We, therefore, arrived at using a
letter of credit figure of 40� of the estimated cost of the
improvements. However, no reduction will be granted in the letter
of credit for the first 60� of the lots sold. That will thereby
give the City a 100% financial guarantee for the lots that are sold
last, and are arguably the "less desirable^ lots in the
subciivision.
.
�
April 28, 1593
Page Two
Ordinance Revisions
JACK W. CLINTON, PA
A�TpR�EYk',� AT LAW
Pursuant to our meeting of April 15, I have prepared a draft
revision to two sections of the Subdivision Regulations. The first
change pertains to Sec. 23 - 19 concerning financial guarantees
generally; the second amendment is in Sec. 23 - 21 concerning
improvement guarantees -- reduction.
The changes to the financial guarantees would not longer require
the 15% cash deposit. Instead, a letter of credit in the amount of
406 of the estimated amount o£ the public improvements would be
posted. The specified purpose is to guarantee payment of the
assessments.
After the assessments are paid on 600 of the lots, the letter of
credit can be reduced as assessments are paid on the remaininc�
lots. Tne reductions will occur on June 15 and September 15 of
each year upon the request of the developer.
Re uested Action
� Please review the draft ordinance to see if the language I have
prepared accurately carries out the discussions which we had on the
15th. If any of you see any changes to the wording, please let me
know. If it is in order, the matter can be submitted to the City
Council for their action.
JWC:clj
Q09-1292
. Enclosure
o�
�
��
�
�
o�=xArrcE xo.
AN ORDIYtANCE FOR TH� CITy pg CO'�'rAGE GROVE, MIPINESO'PA,
AtiENDING CEiAPTER 23, SiTBDIVZSION RBGULATIORS
The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County,
Hinnesota, does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION l. AMENDMENT. ° The Code of the City of Cottage Grove,
County of Washington, State of Minnesota," shall be amended by
amending Chapter 23, Section 23 - 19. to read as follows:
"Sec 23 - 19 Financial quarantees general�y
The subdivider shall be required to post financial
guarantees to ensure completion of all improvements required
by this ordinance, the preliminary and final plat
resolutions, and the subdivision agreement. The financial
guarantees shall be in the form of cash, escrow, or letter
of credit.
Ia) Public Improvements One hundred percent (100%) of
improvements including but not limited to street lighting,
public sanitary sewer, water, storm sewer, curb and gutter,
street grading and street bituminous surfacing, shall be
assessed against properties in the subdivision. �}se
de ve�e�er - ske }}- pre�r�ele - e - �et�er-e€-Ereei�t-fer-e-msn#mam-e€
ene-kt�neireel-�raen�p-f 3�e-{-4��$�-ef -�he-est3me�eel-ees�-e€-snek
��ngret�emen�e .---Seie�-�et�er-ef-Eree�3�-wi�}-lye-reelaeee�-es-�l�e
essesemefl�s
�eer-�ae � -�lse :
The.develo�er_shall �rovide�the�citY with�a�Letter of�Credit
in an�amount of�fort�,�ercent 540�� of the estimated�cost�of
the im�rovements which Letter of Credit shall cjuarantee�� �
paXment to.the.cit�:of � � ' " " "
- . ... . .. .. . .. ...
Ibl Boulevard and Yard Imorovements
�i
(1) The subdivider shall be required to post
financial guarantees in the amount of one hundred
fifty (150) percent of the estimated costs to
assure completion of the items listed in Section
23-18(b)(1). The financial guarantees shall be
subject to approval by the City Attorney before
acceptance by the City. The subdivider shall
deposit with the City, from a bank or other
reputable and financially sound institution
subject to the approval of the Finance Director, a
letter of credit guaranteeing performance and
completion of improvements/work required by the
subdivision agreement.
-. (2) If there is non with the
requirements of this.ordinance at any time, the
City Administrator can direct the performance of
any work required of the subdivider.
,/
�
Specifically, if on-site improvements have not
been installed oz structures occupied for forty-
five (25) days or longer, the City Administrator
shall direct an inventory for non compliance on
June 15 and September 15 of each year and may
direct the performance of any work heretofore
required of the subdivider. The cost of the
city's performance of any such work, including
labor, equipment and material, shall be paid from
the posted financial guarantees."
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT "The Code of the City of Cottage Grove,
County of Washington, State of Minnesota," shall be amended by
amending Chapter 23, Section 23 - 21. to read as follows:
"Sec. 23 - 21. Improvement guarantees -- Reduction
Sa Public Im rovements After assessments for the
�ublic �mprovements�liave�been�paid�in�full�on�sixt � ercent
S60%�,of�the.lots�within�the subdivision�for which�the��� �
Letter of Credit�is �osted the�Letter�of_Credit�maY.be
reciuceci�as assesaments'are.paici�on�ttie'remaining;7ots.
12eduction shsll�be made�two times �er�Year on June�l5�and
September.l
.. ..... . . .. .. .. . . ...... ..
i
b Other Im rovements Exce t for the financial uarantees
.1.. . . .�. .. .. .�..
osted to uarant a ent of the assessments' roviciec2'gor�in���
P... . g. . .Y.P.Y .�..
.. .. . ..
Sec. 23-19� the amount of the�financial�guarantees�may be�reduced
upon�completion of a portion of the improvements required by
Section 23-18. The financial guarantee shall be reduced to the
value of the work not completed. Zn no case shall the financial
guarantee be reduced to less than ten (10) percent of the
original amount of the financral guarantees for off-site
improvements and erosion control.
Sc� Release Upon completion of all of the
improvements�required by Section 23-18, the City Council
shall authorize the release of the remaining portion of the
financial guarantee."
SECTION 3 EFFECTIV DATE This Ordinance shall be in full
force and effect from and after its passage and publication according
to law.
Passed this
day of
, 1993.
John D. Denzer, Mayor
• Att�est:
Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk
rove Ordinance No. 585; Subdivision Ordinance Amendment to Chapter
23-19(a) and 23-21(a) and (b), Dealing With Financial
Guarantees
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 585 for the City of Cottage
Grove, Amending Chapter 23, Subdivision Regulations, made by
Councilmember Buth. Seconded by Councilmember Raun. Motion
Unanimously Carried. S Ayes.
1 � `� �� �� �
� ����
�
1���1�
�.�,�����. � '��i ti��� s