Maplewood council adopts assessment roll for 2025 street improvements after resident objection

The Maplewood City Council on Monday adopted a resolution approving the assessment roll for the 2025 Maplewood Street Improvements, City Project 24-12, following a public hearing and staff presentation describing project scope, funding and homeowner options.

Assistant city engineer John Jarosch told the council the project includes two types of work: pavement rehabilitation in the South Lehi area and full street reconstruction on Prosperity Road and Hazelwood Street. "Special assessments are just one of the funding sources the city uses to finance these public improvement projects," Jarosch said, explaining that the city hires an independent appraisal firm and that state statutes prevent assessing property owners for more than their assessed benefit.

Jarosch presented assessment unit rates: $3,450 per unit for pavement rehabilitation streets and $6,600 per unit for full reconstruction; a few corner lots were assessed at $6,200 per unit. He said commercial and multifamily properties would be subject to special-benefit appraisal. He summarized payment options: owners may pay full or partial amounts to the city without interest through Nov. 3; after that remaining balances will be certified to Ramsey County and collected with property taxes (residential over 15 years, commercial over eight years) with an interest rate of 5.73% plus a 2% administrative fee.

Resident Anna Rodriguez, who said she lives at 1910 Prosperity, urged the council to exempt her property from assessment and to address recurring drainage problems she traces to prior work. "Our house would end up becoming another pond within 3 years by the City of Maplewood," Rodriguez said, and submitted photographs and written correspondence documenting standing water, foliage issues around a city utility box and other concerns.

Jarosch acknowledged the drainage history and said the current project will address ponding in that area and staff would investigate the foliage concern. He also noted staff had received two formal written objections (from 322 Parkview Lane South and 2115 Prosperity Road) and recommended denying those objections because the appraiser concluded the properties receive benefit equal to the assessment.

Council member Lee moved to adopt the resolution establishing the assessment roll for City Project 24-12; the motion was seconded by Council member Juneman and carried on a voice vote (ayes; no opposed recorded). Jarosch said utility work underway on Prosperity Road South of Frost will continue over the next few weeks and the road base, curb and pavement work should reach the affected areas in about a month, with project completion expected later this fall.

The council added Rodriguez's materials to the official project record and directed staff to follow up with her about timelines and the foliage concern. The resolution adoption implements the city’s previously published assessment rates and financing plan for the 2025 street improvements.