[Winona Online Democracy] A simple question for an emotional issue:
Why do you think it is necessary for the City to show the township a need for annexation? The financial risk of land development is primarily on the landowner. The landowner will have to show the need to their bank. That information is between the bank and the landowner. The financial risk to the City is the cost of bringing water and sewer service to the site. The City Council is answerable to City residents for that risk. That risk should not be the concern of non residents. Most water and sewer projects are a risk at some level. Proper engineering requires us to oversize for possible growth. Will the predicted growth always happen? Perhaps not, but it is always better than building a utility system too small and then having to rebuild. In the case of running water and sewer to the Phillips property, preliminary information shows that it may be a very good investment, over some unknown length of time. Our financial auditors tell the City Council and staff to look for good investments. We're recommended to spend money on projects that will bring a good return for the residents of the City. Sometimes that return is financial sometimes social. A sales tax to dredge the lake and create a commercial/industrial area was a good risk that will bring a great financial return to the City and it's residents. The issues in this discussion isn't really "need" but rather "change." Change is always hard, particularly if it is someone else causing it and not yourself. Keith Nelson -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 10:52 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Winona] If I were Queen for the Day [Winona Online Democracy] If I were Queen for the Day and had the ability to set the tone for annexation issues this is what it would be. 1. First, I would ask for the city to produce statistics that support the need for a Township land to become a city domain. The terms of "need" vs "desire would be clearly and logically stated. 2. Second, when those statistic were gathered, I would bring City, County and all Townships involved to the table to talk about these. 3. I would appoint a fair and honest mediator who has had no prior biases or involvement in the city or township. This person would have to be willing to act in the best interest of growth trends and need. 4. I would ask that all those coming to the table act civily and put aside any personal agendas and past issues on this subject. If they are not able to do this, I would ask them to remove themselves or remove them as this became apparant. I would then appoint this committee or "governing body" to look at all requests for annextions, now and in the future. This group would consistently work as a "team" to resolve the annexation requests. 5. Based on the findings, I would ask that an orderly plan be put in place for annexation of Townships. This orderly plan would include a guideline related to no "Balloon and String and Leapfrogging" Orderly annexation rules would include property needing to be adjacent to city limits. The plan would also include better guidelines on lot size based on where the development is going. For example placing 100 foot lots in a rural setting is not in a rural settings favor but it may be in a differnt location. 6. Prior to moving into an other "annexable" area, the latest developed area would need to have commitments completed such as, curb and gutter, traffic solutions, and infra-structures that support the completion of that area. 7. A request for annexation would go to this "governing" body, which would look at the benefits and need from all sides, which would enable "biased" decisions to not take place. A request for annexation would be considered from all parties involved and representing all populations. Oh to be Queen for the Day.... ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
