The Climate and Infrastructure Committee on June 26 voted to order the Fulton residential street resurfacing project to proceed and adopted special assessments totaling $902,348.95.

Public Works engineer Ryan Gotzelben told the committee the assessments and a concurrent request that the Board of Estimate and Taxation authorize issuance and sale of assessment bonds each total $902,348.95. "I recommend passage of resolution ordering the work to proceed in adopting special assessments in the amount of $902,348.95 for the Fulton resurfacing project, and passage of resolution requesting the Board of Estimate and Taxation authorize the city's issuance and sale of assessment bonds in the amount of $902,348.95 for the project," Gotzelben said.

The resurfacing area covers local streets in Fulton bounded by France Avenue South to Xerxes Avenue South and 50th Street West to 54th Street West; Public Works said the pavement was constructed in 1969 and has a pavement condition index of 36. Staff said 667 meeting invitations were mailed for a June 17 community meeting, which drew 106 attendees. Notices of the assessment hearing initially contained an error for several addresses on 50th First Street; Public Works recalculated the assessments and sent corrected notices.

Two residents spoke during public comment. Rhonda Grobe said she objected to the special assessment and argued the city already charges residents for street maintenance through property taxes and other charges: "There is no enhanced benefit to my property. When you maintain the city streets around my property, the benefit is that I'm already entitled to it." Resident and attorney Douglas Hellway said he was "challenging the legality" of the assessment and cited the Minnesota Supreme Court case First Baptist Church v. City of Saint Paul, arguing that resurfacing assessments can be legally problematic.

Committee chair Emily Koski noted staff would remain after the hearing to meet with residents and discuss programs and questions about assessments. The committee then moved approval; the motion carried by voice vote.

The ordinance and assessment resolutions will proceed to the Board of Estimate and Taxation for authorization of bond issuance as requested in Public Works' presentation. Residents were informed in notices how to prepay assessments in full without interest and of existing city resolutions permitting deferment of special assessments for qualified homestead owners (age 65 or older), for persons retired by reason of permanent and total disability, or for military personnel ordered into active duty.