2016-05-09-minutes-public-works-study-session

Home Browse Search

possibly should be close early. The chronological order of this manual does not address the timing of closing an LID prior to actual construction. Consul, special counsel and/or bond counsel before proceeding. A recommended process is to invite property owners who may be included in an LID to small, convenient meetings where details of the project can be discussed informally prior to the formation hearing. A sign -in for all those present is important. At this meeting, the LID administrator should discuss the entire proposal and provide property owners with information regarding the purpose and conduct of the formation hearing, The results of these types of meetings usually are that: } Property owners testifying at hearings are better able to give coherent, logical presentations in less time; a Property owners are generally less alienated; • Property owners favoring the projectwill more likely appreciatethe need fortheir testimony at the formal formation hearing. • Most, if not all, of the major issues will be aired at the meeting. o Typically, elected officials desire to have property owner involvement in the process. informal meetings serve to reduce incorrect and damaging rumors. When the arguments against a project are known prior to the formation hearing, corrective action, such as redesign or alternatives, can be addressed. Prior knowledge also allows staff to research and/or prepare information for the issues prior the hearing. Atthe formation hearing, itis recommended that the actual arguments against the project be presented by staff either in a formal written hearing report or in the staff presentation at the hearing or both. An objective presentation by staff of both sides of the issues will provide the city council with assurance that staff has addressed all the issues and will serve to reduce the impact of the arguments at the hearing. A proposal to construct improvements that will specially benefit properties in another jurisdiction, or to extend improvements into another jurisdiction, requires careful consideration. For example, does the jurisdiction that will be selling the bonds desire to encumber its own LID guarantee fund with an outstanding debt that benefits properties outside its boundaries? Is the interlocal agreement adequate to coverall contingencies of the LID process? Who is the lead agency? Special counselor bond counsel and investment banker must be consulted at the earliest formative stages to answer these questions. Under certain circumstances, cities may assess properties outside of their corporate limits. Counties cannot assess properties inside of cities. • Often LIDs are only one of a number of recent actions by the city in a neighborhood; for example, there may have been rezones, annexations, block grant actions, etc. Be sure to consider the following: Local and Road Improvement DEstricts Manual for Washington State Sixth Edition 37