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Silver Lake Council opts for smaller resident assessments on Harriett Road sidewalks, schedules formal resolution
Summary
Council reviewed three assessment proposals for Harriett Road sidewalks and chose option V3, which limits resident assessment to the $40-per-linear-foot figure promised to petitioners; the Village will cover curb ramps, aprons and critical root zone costs. Legislation for a resolution of necessity will be introduced April 21.
Silver Lake Village officials chose a pared-down assessment approach for Harriett Road sidewalks at their April 7 meeting, agreeing to proceed with option V3 so residents pay roughly the $40-per-linear-foot price that petitioners were told. Mayor Therese Dunphy said the choice was intended to honor the estimate given “in good faith” to residents gathering signatures.
The council reviewed three options prepared by OHM: V1 would assess residents for sidewalks, curb ramps, aprons and critical root zone (CRZ) work (estimated $248,750 assessed); V2 would have the Village assume curb ramps and aprons (estimated $183,550 assessed); and V3 would additionally shift CRZ costs to the Village so assessments align with the $40-per-linear-foot commitment (estimated $107,500 assessed to residents). Mayor Dunphy and the Village engineer, Jason Popiel, said the Village’s share rises when CRZ treatments are covered because preserving nearby trees requires special work.
Council discussed corner-lot adjustments (owners pay only for frontage, not two frontages into a corner), and Clerk-Treasurer Sean Housley told members the administration will present financing options — either General Fund reserves or issuing debt. Housley said current bond/note rates examined were “around 4.5% with approximately $13,000 to $16,000 in closing costs,” and that contractor costs would be used to finalize assessments once bids are received.
Council President Matt Plesich and several members emphasized the Village’s obligation to limit the residents’ burden. “The residents should not bear the burden of anything more than the original estimate of $40.00 per linear foot,” Mayor Dunphy said as the assembly agreed to move forward with V3. The council instructed administration to bring a resolution of necessity to the April 21 meeting and to send assessment calculations to the assessment equalization board for resident appeals.
What happens next: legislation for a resolution of necessity will be introduced April 21, contractors will be solicited once the resolution is adopted, and final resident assessments will be adjusted to reflect actual contractor bids and any corner-frontage corrections.
