Council declares costs for 2025 street-and-utility improvement project, sets assessment hearing for Oct. 20

The City Council approved a resolution declaring the costs for the 2025 street and utility improvement project and ordered preparation of the proposed assessment roll, with a hearing set for the second council meeting on Oct. 20 at 6:00 p.m.

Staff told the council the construction cost in the memorandum is about $4.268 million and that the packet listed a total project cost of roughly $5,155,000; staff proposed a total assessment amount of about $1.53 million and asked the council to declare costs and call the assessment hearing.

Council members asked whether a map showing proposed streets was included; staff said a map was not in the packet but explained that properties abutting project streets (Lincoln Avenue N, Persian Avenue N and First Street NE) were included in the notification process and that some properties on the assessment roll may carry zero-dollar assessments. Staff also noted alley improvements where only commercial properties were assessed.

Bruce Wolf moved resolution 25-09-15-1 (declaring costs, ordering preparation of the proposed assessment and calling the assessment hearing); Rick Syler seconded and the council approved the resolution 5-0.

Why it matters: the council’s declaration advances the assessment process and sets a formal hearing where property owners can contest or ask questions about individual assessments. The assessment hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 6:00 p.m.

What’s next: staff will mail assessment notices to affected properties and finalize the assessment roll ahead of the Oct. 20 hearing.