Fridley Council Housekeeping: Unpaid Bills, Street Assessments

The Fridley City Council wrapped up some fiscal-year-end business by holding public hearings; approving special assessments for street improvements and nuisance clean-up; and certifying delinquent utility bills to Anoka County for collection with 2012 property tax at its meeting Monday evening at city hall.

The council held public hearings at on the nuisance abatements and street improvement assessments. No one appeared for the nuisance abatements hearing although the city did receive a couple of written objections to paying them.

The charges for city cleaning or removal of nuisances affected 41 properties this year and ranged from about $25 to about $7,400. The total cost of the city’s work was more than $38,000. The council approved the assessments, which will be listed on city property-tax notices. Affected property owners have one year, starting in January, to pay for the abatements.

Street Benefit?
During the street assessment hearing, Dan Burton of B&D Property Holdings and Kevin Kaelble of Zantigo Restaurant objected to being assessed for street work behind their properties on the grounds the improvements didn’t enhance the value of their sites.

Both Burton and Kaelble noted they had no access to that street, which goes behind the businesses. Council Member Ann Bolkcom stated that any street abutting a property benefits the land. She said either owner could put in a driveway from that street in the future.

Total assessment for the street improvements was about $381,000 and affected 166 sites. The assessment can be paid off in full before the special assessments are sent to the county in the next few weeks or over a period of 10 years with their property taxes.

The assessment for each section of street improvements was almost $1,600 with some landowners paying more due to how many feet of their property abuts the improved street.

The council voted 4-1, with Mayor Scott Lund abstaining, on the street assessments.

Unpaid Water and Sewer Bills
The total amount of overdue, unpaid water and sewer utility bills was almost $382,000. Council Member Jim Saefke said he was surprised at how many of the bills were in the $1,000 range. Some 517 properties were listed on the list of delinquent utility payments.

The bill ranged from $65 to almost $19,000. They are due for payment with 2012 property taxes. They include regular late fees and a 10 percent additional penalty.