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International Falls reduces 5th Avenue West assessment after project adjustments
Summary
City engineers lowered the special assessment for paving on 5th Avenue West to $45,967.44 after removing patching and a manhole raise from the original estimate; homeowners raised concerns about truck damage and the city agreed to inspect in spring.
International Falls City held a public hearing to consider a revised special assessment of $45,967.44 for a paving project on 5th Avenue West between 18th and 20th, city officials said.
The revised assessment reflects adjustments to the original project estimate after crews removed costs for patching and a manhole raise, Jason Fisher, city engineer with Bolton & Menk, told the council. "The work has been completed. This will be an assessment that we will put on... if that's what they choose to do, is to not pay it all upfront, but pay it over the 10 years," Fisher said, describing the payment option and timeline.
The assessment affects seven parcels that are owned by four property owners, staff confirmed. City staff said assessments must be submitted to the county in October to appear on the next year's property tax rolls if property owners choose not to pay up front.
At the hearing, homeowner Brian Irvin questioned whether damage to the street shoulder and wheel ruts resulted from water trucks detoured by the county. "So you're gonna make us pay for a street that's already damaged? Is that your plan? Because we don't wanna do that," Irvin said. He told the council he had driven the area and that other homeowners share his concerns; homeowners identified in the record who could not attend included the Andersons and Justin Obert.
Mayor (name not specified) told Irvin the council intended to work with residents and hear their concerns. Council member Walt asked staff to revisit the site in spring and requested a follow-up at a May meeting or similar deadline: "I think what we need to do is probably Jason put that on your radar for springtime," Walt said. The council and staff agreed to coordinate with the county to determine whether detours or heavy trucks caused the damage and to inspect the area when conditions allow.
A resident also questioned a line-item charge of about $1,000 on the project's paperwork; the council said staff would review project billing entries. Betty (staff member) clarified the affected area and parcels: "Those parcels, there's 2, 4, 6, 7 parcels, but 4 property owners."
The mayor noted this public hearing followed earlier meetings and a missed publication that required the city to repeat the hearing process. With no further public input, the council closed the public hearing and adjourned. No formal vote on the assessment was recorded during the hearing.
The council directed staff to inspect the reported damage in spring, report back to the council by a May meeting or similar deadline, and coordinate with the county on any detour-related impacts. The assessment will be finalized and submitted to the county by the October deadline if the city proceeds with placing it on tax rolls.
