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Blaine OKs plans and design contracts for two neighborhood street-reconstruction projects amid concerns over assessments
Summary
After public hearings, the council approved plans and consultant contracts for the Quincy and Meadowbrook reconstruction projects — covering roughly $8.8 million in improvements combined — and confirmed that portions of the costs will be assessed to benefiting properties over a 15-year period. Residents pressed officials on assessments, access and timing.
The Blaine City Council on Jan. 5 approved plans and design contracts for two neighborhood street-reconstruction projects after public hearings during which residents pressed officials about assessments, access and construction timing.
Director Schoelander told the council the Quincy Street-area project is estimated at about $4.7 million, with roughly $1.0 million assessed to benefiting properties over 15 years under the city’s assessment policy and an estimated $645,000 in sewer and water work paid from utility funds. The Meadowbrook-area project carries an estimated total cost of about $4.1 million, with roughly $910,000 assessed to benefiting properties; staff proposed phasing the Meadowbrook work to reduce bonding needs.
Residents at both hearings voiced concerns about the assessment share, construction impacts and safety. One Quincy resident said the street is a cut-through and argued that “we should not be charged 35%,” urging reduced assessments or different cost allocation. Lynn Basham, who uses a cane, said she could not navigate multiple simultaneous reconstructions and asked staff to ensure access for people with mobility limitations. Director Schoelander and staff described assessment bonds, hardship deferment options under state statute and how enterprise funds would pay for utility work done with the street projects.
Council members pressed staff on bonding and assessment mechanics. Council Member Robertson said he supports improved streets but criticized the city’s use of long-term bonding for assessments and said he would vote no on the Quincy item, citing concerns about placing bond repayment on the tax levy for roughly 15 years.
On motions to authorize preparation of plans and specifications and advance the projects to bid, the council adopted the Quincy plans and the Meadowbrook plans. The council also authorized the mayor and city manager to execute consultant contracts: a $450,000 agreement (plus a 10% contingency) with Bolton & Menk for final design and construction services on the Quincy project and a $341,000 agreement (plus a proposed 10% contingency) with SEH for Meadowbrook design and Phase 1 construction services.
The council closed both public hearings and approved the items by voice vote. Staff said further public notices and a separate assessment hearing will follow, at which property-specific assessment amounts and financing options — including pay-upfront and multi-year payment with interest — will be presented.
Next steps: staff will prepare formal plans and specifications, solicit bids, then return to council with contractor bids and the formal assessment hearing to set the final assessment amounts and financing terms.
