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Council adopts downtown special-service renewal, certifies Birch Lake charge and approves pavement assessments
Summary
The White Bear Lake City Council unanimously adopted three resolutions: renewing the downtown special service district (collecting roughly $45,000 annually), certifying a $24,231 Birch Lake improvement-district charge for 2026 collection, and approving the final assessment roll for the 2025 pavement rehabilitation (project total ~$1.3 million; assessable costs just under $300,000).
The White Bear Lake City Council approved three resolutions at the meeting.
Downtown special service district renewal: City staff recommended and the council adopted a resolution to renew the downtown special-service assessment that funds Main Street marketing and events. Staff said the assessment formula uses commercial square footage (higher weight for first-floor space), sets a minimum assessment at $135 and a maximum at $1,600 per year, and historically collects about $45,000 annually to support Main Street programs. Following a public hearing with no public comment, the council voted to continue the assessment for another two years.
Birch Lake Improvement District service charge: Staff presented the Birch Lake Improvement District's request to certify a special service charge of $24,231 for certification in 2025 for collection in 2026; the annual charge per property in the improvement district was stated as $390.82. Steve Liberty, a district representative, summarized lake-management work (weed cutting, aeration, fish management). After a brief public hearing, the council adopted the resolution certifying the service charge.
2025 pavement rehabilitation assessment roll: Staff described completion of the 2025 pavement rehabilitation (Division Avenue and 12th Street) and presented the final assessment roll. The total project cost was reported at about $1.3 million with assessable costs just under $300,000. Staff explained residential assessments are amortized over 15 years and commercial over 20 years; this year the interest rate was noted as 5.71% with the city's administrative charge at 2% over the bond rate. After the required public hearing with no public comment, the council adopted the resolution approving the final assessment roll.
Each item was approved following its public hearing; council recorded motions and carried each resolution without public opposition.
