Council to place resolution on Feb. 3 consent agenda to clear a 1970s deferred sewer assessment

During the Jan. 22 Minnetrista City Council work session staff reviewed one remaining deferred sanitary sewer assessment dating to the mid-1970s and asked the council for direction.

Staff and council recounted that the city and neighboring jurisdictions undertook sewer improvements in the 1970s and that some parcels were assessed on the expectation they would later be connected to the municipal sewer district (Musa). In the case discussed at the meeting, the property is outside the Musa district and cannot currently be connected; interest and fees have accumulated so the county record now shows a much larger outstanding balance than the original assessment.

Why it matters: staff said this is the last deferred sewer-assessment parcel on the city’s books and recommended staff prepare a resolution to zero the deferred amount so the county can remove the assessment. Council discussion noted fairness concerns if neighboring property owners paid their assessments and one parcel did not; members asked staff to prepare a simple resolution to clear the deferred assessment if the council agrees.

Outcome and next steps: staff said they will draft a resolution to present on the Feb. 3 regular meeting consent agenda asking the council to direct the county to remove the deferred assessment. Staff told the council they will notify the property owner and the county; councilmembers asked that the draft resolution be included on consent so it can be handled without separate debate if the council agrees. No binding forgiveness was recorded at the work session — the council instructed staff to prepare the resolution for formal action at the Feb. 3 meeting.

Ending: Staff and the council said they expect this to be handled as a routine consent item at the next meeting after the county and the property owner are notified.