Isanti council adopts Sandy Hills rehabilitation assessment after presentation and public questions

Jason Cook, the city presenter for the Sandy Hills Rehabilitation Project, told the Isanti City Council the final project came in roughly 25% under the original engineer's estimate and about 5% below the low bids, reducing the assessable portion of the work from the preliminary estimate to just under $800,000. "We got really good bids," Cook said, adding that the engineering estimate of about $1,065,000 (25% assessable) had produced an earlier average assessment estimate of about $2,063 per frontage foot but that the final average assessment is now $1,543 — roughly a $520 savings for the average property owner.

The presentation outlined what was constructed (reclaim of existing pavement, targeted curb replacement, pedestrian ramps on Whiskey Road, striping and parking adjustments on Dogwood) and explained why the city used a mill-and-overlay option in places. Cook said inspectors prioritized the most deteriorated curbs and left sections expected to last until the next planned mill-and-overlay cycle, a roughly 20-year planning horizon.

Council members and residents asked detailed questions about the calculation and timing of assessments. Cook said individual letters listing each parcel's exact assessment were mailed roughly three weeks earlier and that property owners have 30 days after the assessment is recorded to pay in full. If not paid in that window, the assessment is placed on the tax roll as a 10-year special assessment at 4% interest, which the city estimated would equal about $190 per year for an average parcel. Cook explained that partial payments are permitted and that interest is calculated on the remaining balance.

The city also offers a deferment option for property owners 65 or older, those retired due to disability, or active-duty military who can demonstrate financial hardship; deferment requires a council decision and is not automatic. A resident and veteran, Janet Shock, offered to help other veterans complete deferment paperwork and provided a way for residents to contact her for assistance.

Residents raised safety and design questions about the Dogwood Street striping and mailbox clearance. One resident, Ryan Tulp, asked how the city decided where parking would be restricted and whether there was enough room to access mailboxes without blocking a travel lane. Cook and staff said the configuration followed traffic-engineering recommendations: narrower travel lanes and a wider outer "fog" line to create the perception of a narrower roadway and calm traffic, with parking allowed on one side to preserve on-street parking while improving safety.

After hearing the presentation and public input, Council member Lundin moved to adopt the assessment roll for the Sandy Hills Rehabilitation Project; Council member Peterson seconded. The motion carried 5–0.

What happens next: if property owners do not pay within the 30-day post-recording window, the remaining balance will be placed on the county tax roll for the 2026 tax year as a 10-year assessment at 4% interest. Owners who want to request a deferment must apply and have the council approve that request.

Why it matters: the council's decision finalizes how the project's cost will be distributed among affected property owners. City staff said the lower-than-expected bids and targeted replacements reduced the financial burden on residents compared with the preliminary estimate, but some residents asked for clearer communications on mailbox access, curb-selection criteria and payment timing.