Regular 7.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 06/22/2015
- TITLE
- Public Hearing and Resolution Creating SILMD 317
- PRESENTED BY:
- David Mumford
- Department:
- Public Works
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The Exposition Gateway project will construct water, sewer and street improvements in the Exposition Gateway area. At the request of property owners, the project will include installation of street lights along 2nd & 3rd Avenues North and North 9th & North 10th Streets within the project area. At the May 26, 2015 meeting, Council passed the Resolution of Intent to Create SILMD 317 and set a public hearing for June 22, 2015. Legal notice of the proposed district was published and mailed to all property owners in the proposed district in accordance with State law.
The new lighting will use decorative poles with LED lamps and underground wiring. The cost of installing the new lighting will be paid for with funds from the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD). The adjacent property owners will only pay for electrical energy and maintenance, through an assessment on their property tax statements. Light district assessments will range from approximately $50 to $450 per year depending on the size and frontage of the property. Pursuant to 7-12-4327 Montana Code Annotated, properties outside of, but contiguous to, the city limits will be assessed for their share of the energy and maintenance costs for the lighting.
The deadline for written protests is Friday, June 12th. The number and percentage of valid written protests received will be reported at the June 22nd Council meeting. As provided in State law, the City Council has the authority to create the district if the legal protest does not exceed 50%.
The new lighting will use decorative poles with LED lamps and underground wiring. The cost of installing the new lighting will be paid for with funds from the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD). The adjacent property owners will only pay for electrical energy and maintenance, through an assessment on their property tax statements. Light district assessments will range from approximately $50 to $450 per year depending on the size and frontage of the property. Pursuant to 7-12-4327 Montana Code Annotated, properties outside of, but contiguous to, the city limits will be assessed for their share of the energy and maintenance costs for the lighting.
The deadline for written protests is Friday, June 12th. The number and percentage of valid written protests received will be reported at the June 22nd Council meeting. As provided in State law, the City Council has the authority to create the district if the legal protest does not exceed 50%.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may:
- Pass the resolution creating SILMD 317 to provide a source of funding for operation and maintenance of the streetlights; or
- Do not pass the resolution that creates the district. If the Council does not adopt the resolution, the property owners cannot be assessed for operation and maintenance of the streetlights, and the new lighting will not be installed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
| All costs of maintaining and providing energy for the lighting are paid from assessments against the properties within the light district. There are no City owned properties within the district. |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the resolution creating SILMD 317.