Title
Requesting the formation of a staff work group to evaluate and make recommendations for an alternative funding structure and policy for the City’s Saint Paul Streets Program (SPS).
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WHEREAS, the city finances the SPS program with various funding sources, including Street Improvement Bonds, requiring owners to be assessed at least 20% of the costs;
WHEREAS, project costs have been increasing significantly since 2014 and the 20% assessment minimum make it challenging to have a consistent and predictable rate year over year;
WHEREAS, historically the SPS program applied costs based on the right-of-way policy and that policy has changed and is no longer valid;
WHEREAS, the SPS program should have it is own policy and continue to share costs with the property directly benefitting from the reconstruction;
WHEREAS, the cost should be consistent and predictable for property owners, and the financing should support the five year street plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council requests the convening of a work group from the Office of Financial Services, the Department of Public Works, the City Attorney’s Office, and the City Council to recommend a SPS program policy, including alternative funding options for the Saint Paul Streets Program. The work group will report back to the City Council by no later than December 20, 2017.