Loading...
09.e Memo March 2022 Administrator UpdatePage 1 of 4 City of Scandia 14727 209th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 | Fax (651) 433-5112 | www.cityofscandia.com DATE: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 FROM: Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members RE: March 2022 Administration Report Zoning and Development Code Updates We are approaching the finish line for the completion of the Development Code Update Project. A draft is expected to be made available this week upon receipt from our contractor, SHC. The new draft will be made available online and will be advertised with the upcoming open house and joint meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission scheduled from Monday, April 11th at 6:30PM. (A conflicting Economic Development Authority meeting will be rescheduled, as the event is scheduled during that Commission’s regular meeting time.) Implementation of Online Permit Applications Staff is currently working on creating online application forms for the receipt of permits and license applications. Right now, permits and licensing can be paid on line and submitted by email, but our Laserfiche record storage technology now allows us to accept fillable applications to better streamline the process for applicants. Staff is also exploring ways to implement better data connections between our office and the City of Hugo Building Department, while allowing our organization to directly maintain our own records. Delays between the transmission of applications and supporting documents and independent scheduling systems have been a major contributing factor to most delays that do not require special zoning review. Once we determine feasibility and costs for implementation, the Council will have the opportunity to consider any changes and associated costs. The 2022 Washington County Assessment and Sales Ratio Report The following are some key highlights from this report: 2022 appears to be an anomalous year for fluctuation in property values as the first chart below shows in percentage change. 2022 includes a substantial 27% increase in median values on residential property in Scandia. This data is critical as we move into the 2023 budget season. Given the unusually steep spike it is reasonable to expect that the figures will fall in future assessment years when the real estate market cools down. Never-the-less, it will be reasonable to expect this spike to impact the number of appeals that will be potentially made at the Local Board of Review scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2022 5-6pm at the Scandia Community Center. This meeting allows property owners to present appeals to their property assessments. Page 2 of 4 City of Scandia 14727 209th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 | Fax (651) 433-5112 | www.cityofscandia.com The assessment year is based on a period between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021, the same period of October 1st to September 30th apply to previous years. The following is a comparison of median residential and seasonal residential improved value: Total New Home Starts by Assessment Yr AY Count % Change from PY 2017 22 2018 16 -37.5% 2019 11 -45.5% 2020 7 -57.1% 2021 20 65.0% The assessment year is based a period between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021, the same period of October 1st to September 30th apply to previous years. The following is a comparison of median residential and seasonal residential improved value: Page 3 of 4 City of Scandia 14727 209th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 | Fax (651) 433-5112 | www.cityofscandia.com Additional News Regarding State Efforts to Address Broadband Expansion A promising new piece of legislation that has been introduced in the State Legislature, which is intended to establish a pilot program to fund smaller-scale broadband service extensions to individual homes and businesses that continue to remain without access to service. Bills SF 3476 & HF 3605 are intended to provide special assistance for properties not served by larger broadband deployments, including under circumstances where properties are isolated, have long driveways, or have other practical difficulties that make a connection cost prohibitive. The legislation proposes that the grant program would provide up to $25,000 for a line extension. The grant eligibility would apply to internet service providers, utility cooperatives, or eligible municipalities which have bonded for broadband development. The option to utilize competitive reverse auctions for the awards process is also included. The legislation would also potentially makee data related to these service expansions available to government agencies and nonprofits working to address the cost of expanding broadband. To learn more see: https://www.lmc.org/news-publications/news/all/broadband-line-extension- bill/ Legislative Advocacy Update Here is the status of state bonding requests for this legislative session: * HF1461 2 & SF1424 Scandia Water Tower Barn Regional Arts and Heritage Center (Included within the Governor’s proposed Capital Budget) and has been assigned to the House and Senate Capital Investment Committees.) This request continues to advance well and currently has lobbying support funded by the Scandia Heritage Alliance. * HF3037 & SF2911 Gateway Trail Project from the Scandia Village Center to William O’Brien Park. (Not in the Governor's budget but in House and Senate Capital Investment Committees.) This request will also be made at the Environment and Natural Resources Page 4 of 4 City of Scandia 14727 209th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 | Fax (651) 433-5112 | www.cityofscandia.com Trust Fund (LCCMR). This bill was presented to the House Capital Investment Committee last Tuesday. Although there has been significant progress with regard to these efforts, this request will greatly benefit from lobbying assistance. Forecasted outlook for this year’s session already shows signs that a state bonding bill may not be achieved before the end of the regular session leading to working through a special session. This period of legislative activity is exceptionally challenging to navigate without lobbying assistance. · Bliss Nitrate Treatment Project and Primary Lift Station Replacement Upgrade Bonding Project. This bonding has now been introduced and sponsored by Sen. Housley and Rep. Detmer. HF3690 and SF 3548 have both been forwarded to their respective Capital Investment Committees. These bills are lacking in additional co-authors and will likely require lobbying support to keep going. More updates on these efforts are to come. Please also refer to my attached request for consideration of lobbying services. Please let me know if you have any questions.