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Page 2
Jan Carlson, 22085 Kirk Ave., said we all moved here to be in the country. She thinks the
County does a good job, but the town can do better. As a city we can do a better job of
preserving ruralness. We can deal better with annexation issues and preserve right of control. She
is convinced of the need for incorporation now and that the Committee did due diligence in
researching the issue.
John Lindell, 11240 218t" St. N., handed out a page of additional costs for incorporation. He has
calculated the cost of local control over 10 years at $2,230,600, and asked if user fees would
cover all this. He doesn't have any reason to believe these numbers are too low. Mr. Lindell also
asked what is meant by "local control". Does it include the people of the township, and if so,
then the people don't want to incorporate.
Wayne Schmidt said 40 years ago the town was a bar and a church. Now we have a store, cafe,
dentist, insurance, chiropractor and many other businesses. Do we want the town like it was or
what it can become? He said it was asked how we would have control over our destiny if we
incorporate. Mr. Schmidt said we have control based on our ordinances and state statutes.
Mike White, 13310 188h St. N., believes we have a very capable town board and that taxes are
going to go up either way.
Lisa Schlingerman, 20661 Quint Ave., said Mr. Lindell's figures are believable and that is scary
to her. She said no one is talking of going back or staying the same; that is a nonissue. To get
involved we need to be on the town board or on a committee. But she wants to know why, change
for change's sake.
Karen Schik, 13860 236t" St., said we don't have control now as the people are not allowed a
voice. She asked why we couldn't have a vote on this.
Jan Carlson said a lot of people have concerns about costs. She believes it would probably be
worthwhile in the end. She didn't think the figures given in the report were significant. Costs
shouldn't be a barrier to incorporation.
To Krinke, 15510 215th St., said this is a big deal for Scandia and that there are 40 people here
tonight. He said we should take a vote tonight to get more input.
To Harnetty, was on the Committee and is a town board supervisor, doesn't believe that costs
will rise with incorporation. There will be a public accounting firm looking at the numbers
before making a final decision to incorporate. Incorporation does not mean increased
development. That is determined by the Comp Plan and there is no intention to change the Comp
Plan. The intent is to remain a rural community. Becoming a city is no direct link to increased
residential or commerciq) 4py
plopment. Growth will be the same if it is a town or a city.
character.
September 20, 2005
m-61 LifA)A&
Page 3
111.TMUM,,- I
commerciat ZieveYopment IL41CS-C L TIC4WI 710
no mandate to use these for development purposes.
Mike Hinz, town board supervisor, said the Committee did a great job to cover the issues, some
of which were not thought of before.
Dennis Seefeldt, town board supervisor, said he hasn't heard but one person that we never
incorporate. The question is to why is now the right time. He doesn't know. But why is now not
the right time. It is something you can never know. At the last annual meeting there were only
12 to 13 people here to vote on the budget and levy. People have asked why incorporate now and
lose the County road aid of $25,000, but that is not a given that the aid will continue. In 2001 the
state aid was $199,640. In 2002 it was $78,000. There were no complaints when taxes went up to
cover the aid loss. Mr. Seefeldt said if there are costs the town board is capable of keeping taxes
in line. He stated his appreciation for the ten people who dedicated 12 months to study the issue
and overwhelmingly voted to incorporate. If not now, the whole process would have to be started
over. Mr. Seefeldt believes the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Blair Joselyn related a discussion the Committee had with Christine Scotillo, the Director of the
Minnesota Boundary Adjustments Office. One of Ms. Scotillo's comments were that by the time
a Town inquires about incorporation, it may already be ten years too late as a result of pent up
growth pressures at its boundaries. The To of Scandia is different in that it is looking ten years
into the future. Mr. Joselyn -then made a motion that the Board of Supervisors direct the
Township Attorney to prepare a resolution on filing for Incorporation as a city for the
Board to consider in final form pending the outcome of a detailed fiscal analysis by
Springsted, Inc. of both the initial and the long-term financial impacts of New Scandia
being incorporated as a city. Further, that the Township Planner be directed to work with
Springsted, Inc. to the extent necessary in developing the fiscal impact information, and to
also begin work on the "relevant factors" information called for in MN Statutes 414.02 to
be utilized in the public hearing on incorporation before an Administrative Law Judge.
Findings are the recommendation of the Incorporation Committee, including documents,
data and other relevant information developed by the committee. Nancy Madden seconded
the motion and the motion passed unanimously with five votes for and zero against.
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer & Planning Commission Secretary