Council reviews two annexation requests and asks staff to return modified resolutions

City officials reviewed two recent annexation petitions and asked staff to return proposed resolutions reflecting modified boundaries.

Community Development Director Chris Massenet told the council the city received two petitions in March proposing annexation of five vacant residential parcels totaling about 18 acres. Staff presented maps showing the applicants’ requested areas and recommended modifying the boundaries to include adjacent parcels so the annexations would produce a more regular city boundary and better comply with the comprehensive plan. With the additional parcels the combined area would be roughly 38 acres with an estimated assessed value near $8.5 million, Massenet said.

"So each of the areas, this would include a fair number of parcels … with the additional parcels, it would be roughly 38 acres in total with valuation of about 8 and a half million," Chris Massenet said.

Council members pressed staff on process and timing. The 60% petition method — requiring signatures representing 60% of the total valuation of the area — means some applicants must secure additional property owner support, Massenet said. Council members also discussed whether to process the two requests together or separately; several favored separate resolutions because the proposed areas are on opposite sides of the city.

Council Member (committee lead) asked staff to consult the city attorney about conditions the city could place on the annexation, including whether applicants could be required to cover consultant costs. "I've asked Chris to consult with the city attorney if it's possible as a condition to amend this … to require payment to cover the expense of a city consultant to run these annexations," the council member said, explaining staff bandwidth concerns.

Council also discussed neighborhood impacts and continuity of services. City staff noted sewer and water stub-outs are available near the parcels and that annexation would allow properties to access city utilities and be represented by city-elected officials; staff cautioned that annexation also means the city would assume any existing bonded indebtedness for the area.

Staff will prepare draft resolutions (one or two, based on council guidance) to accept, reject, or modify the annexation areas and return to council for formal action after consulting with the city attorney and confirming next steps under the 60-day statutory timeline.

The council did not take a final vote on annexation at the April 27 meeting; staff indicated it would present proposed resolutions at a future meeting.