The Wellington Governing Body received the proposed "Capital Outlay" for the 2010 budget year to begin studying the requested expenditures.
"Capital Outlay" items are non-routine expenditures such as police cars, fire trucks, tractors, etc.
"Capital Improvement" items, on the other hand, are items costing more than $25,000 with a life expectancy of at least 15 years. These items include new buildings, recreational facility upgrades, streets, water and sewer lines, long term vehicles, etc.
Discussion of the 2010 Budget begins on June 30.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Website Update
I've rearranged my home page to make room to add a poll I am testing. If it works properly, I will be conducting other polls regarding City issues in the future.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Public Hearing cancelled
A scheduled public hearing, to discuss the application for stimulus funding to renovate the Memorial Auditorium was cancelled at the June 16th Council Meeting. It was determined that the project is not eligible for stimulus funding, therefore there was not a need for a Public Hearing.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Council passes KDOT Agreement for ARRA Funds
The Council also voted, at the June 16the meeting, to sign the official agreement between the City and the Kansas Department of Transporation, for ARRA Stimulus Funds to rebuild the Hillside Street bridge.
The bridge, just west of TECT-Midwest on Hillside Street, has been slated for repairs for several years now, but has always been cut the funding during budget sessions. While the bridge is safe and adequate, it does not meet todays standards for bridge width, and does not have the necessary guard railings on its sides. The bridge crosses the Rock Island Slough in the northern section of Wellington.
The project is estimated to cost $310,000 which will be paid by a federal stimulus grant.
The bridge, just west of TECT-Midwest on Hillside Street, has been slated for repairs for several years now, but has always been cut the funding during budget sessions. While the bridge is safe and adequate, it does not meet todays standards for bridge width, and does not have the necessary guard railings on its sides. The bridge crosses the Rock Island Slough in the northern section of Wellington.
The project is estimated to cost $310,000 which will be paid by a federal stimulus grant.
First steps taken to renovate Fair Street
At the June 16th Council Meeting, the City Council voted to designate the 400 - 500 blocks of South Fair Street as an official "thoroughfare". This action was necessary after an investigation revealed the street to be owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Following the action designating Fair Street as a thoroughfare, the Council voted to issue Bonds in excess of $200,000 to begin the actual renovation. These bonds, coupled with an additional $100,000 in cash on hand, will be used to correct water drainage below the BNSF Bridge, then to resurface the roadway which has become nearly impassible.
For years, storm waters have flooded the underpass and eroded the roadway. The path carries storm water from a large section of eastern Wellington to Hargis Creek. Because the drainage is inadequate, the underpass frequently floods.
The Fair Street underpass carries nearly 1200 vehicles per day, and because of the BNSF Railway mainline and yards, is one of only two passages which connect the entire Rosedale Addition of Wellington with the eastern half of the community.
Past discussions have tossed about the idea of an elevated roadway over the railroad tracks, however estimates for an urban overpass are approximately $4 million dollars.
Following the action designating Fair Street as a thoroughfare, the Council voted to issue Bonds in excess of $200,000 to begin the actual renovation. These bonds, coupled with an additional $100,000 in cash on hand, will be used to correct water drainage below the BNSF Bridge, then to resurface the roadway which has become nearly impassible.
For years, storm waters have flooded the underpass and eroded the roadway. The path carries storm water from a large section of eastern Wellington to Hargis Creek. Because the drainage is inadequate, the underpass frequently floods.
The Fair Street underpass carries nearly 1200 vehicles per day, and because of the BNSF Railway mainline and yards, is one of only two passages which connect the entire Rosedale Addition of Wellington with the eastern half of the community.
Past discussions have tossed about the idea of an elevated roadway over the railroad tracks, however estimates for an urban overpass are approximately $4 million dollars.
Coyote Ridge Development to be assessed Specials
After much deliberation and a Public Hearing two weeks ago, property owners at Coyote Ridge will be assessed Special Assessment taxes to pay for water, street, and other infrastructure improvements.
Normally, housing developers pay the cost for instrastructure in their developments, then pass the cost on to the buyers through the sale of the lots. Four years ago however, Wellington, at the urging of a local developer, established a Developers Incentive Policy in which the City absorbed the cost of the infrastructure, then recuperated the cost through Special Assessment taxes. The incentives also allowed for a three year deferment in the payment of those taxes, with Coyote Ridge reaching the end of it's deferment period.
The infrastructure, originally built three years ago, was paid with Temporary Notes. Two weeks ago, the City Council held a Public Hearing before issuing bonds to pay off those Notes. It was at the Public Hearing when objections were voiced by the property owners. Some questioned the high cost, some requested spreading the tax over a 20 year period rather than 15. The savings of extending the term an additional five years amounted to only about $30 per month, not counting the additional interest that would accrue and have to be paid during that extra five years.
After lengthy questioning, listening to comments from the property owners, and deliberating the issue, the Council voted 5-3 in favor of assessing the full cost of the infrastructure over the 15 year period.
Normally, housing developers pay the cost for instrastructure in their developments, then pass the cost on to the buyers through the sale of the lots. Four years ago however, Wellington, at the urging of a local developer, established a Developers Incentive Policy in which the City absorbed the cost of the infrastructure, then recuperated the cost through Special Assessment taxes. The incentives also allowed for a three year deferment in the payment of those taxes, with Coyote Ridge reaching the end of it's deferment period.
The infrastructure, originally built three years ago, was paid with Temporary Notes. Two weeks ago, the City Council held a Public Hearing before issuing bonds to pay off those Notes. It was at the Public Hearing when objections were voiced by the property owners. Some questioned the high cost, some requested spreading the tax over a 20 year period rather than 15. The savings of extending the term an additional five years amounted to only about $30 per month, not counting the additional interest that would accrue and have to be paid during that extra five years.
After lengthy questioning, listening to comments from the property owners, and deliberating the issue, the Council voted 5-3 in favor of assessing the full cost of the infrastructure over the 15 year period.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
As I See It - "It's Time to End the Developers Incentives"
When I was first approached about establishing Developers Incentives in Wellington, I thought it was a good idea. The City takes care of the infrastructure which allows the developer to sell lots at a lower price (hoping to recruit new dwellings), and pass the cost of the infrastructure on through Special Assessments. Deferring the assessments for three years would allow a new property owner time to "get on their feet" before the special tax kicked in.
But then I was told that Wellington was one of the fewest towns around that did not offer some type of incentive to developers. "Incentives are why Derby, Andover, and Mulvane are growing", I was told. So I checked with those communities and found that, like Wellington, they offered no incentives to developers at all. The cost of the infrastructure was paid for totally by the developer and passed on through the price of the parcel or lot. In fact, Derby told me the only thing they offered was "good parks and recreation."
I supported the Settlers Creek Addition through the developers incentives because it was filling a void already within the City of Wellington's City Limits. I thought it would be a good test to determine if the incentives would work or not. I subsequently voted against Coyote Ridge and Crestview Heights Developments, and have been opposed to the Developers Incentives since.
The Settlers Creek Addition is the perfect example. The City paid for the infrastructure for over 30 lots, and to date, less than half a dozen have sold. In the event the developer/property owner fails to pay the taxes and special assessments for the infrastructure, the property will be sold at tax auction and the City could be on the hook for the infrastructure costs. Likewise, Coyote Ridge, a 24 lot development, has only sold ten lots. We are now being told the special assessments are too high, and that likely no more lots will be sold because of the high taxes. If the Coyote Ridge developer/property owners fail to pay their taxes, that development too could be sold at tax auction, again leaving Wellington on the hook for the infrastructure costs.
Even before the economic crisis last fall, it was obvious that lots in these developments were not going to sell like "hotcakes". And now the future of these developments are up in the air.
The City cannot risk any more of your tax dollars gambling on future developments. If the developer wants to risk their money, that is what private enterprise is all about. I will continue my attempts to stop the Developers Incentives, and continue to vote against developments that are built on them.
But then I was told that Wellington was one of the fewest towns around that did not offer some type of incentive to developers. "Incentives are why Derby, Andover, and Mulvane are growing", I was told. So I checked with those communities and found that, like Wellington, they offered no incentives to developers at all. The cost of the infrastructure was paid for totally by the developer and passed on through the price of the parcel or lot. In fact, Derby told me the only thing they offered was "good parks and recreation."
I supported the Settlers Creek Addition through the developers incentives because it was filling a void already within the City of Wellington's City Limits. I thought it would be a good test to determine if the incentives would work or not. I subsequently voted against Coyote Ridge and Crestview Heights Developments, and have been opposed to the Developers Incentives since.
The Settlers Creek Addition is the perfect example. The City paid for the infrastructure for over 30 lots, and to date, less than half a dozen have sold. In the event the developer/property owner fails to pay the taxes and special assessments for the infrastructure, the property will be sold at tax auction and the City could be on the hook for the infrastructure costs. Likewise, Coyote Ridge, a 24 lot development, has only sold ten lots. We are now being told the special assessments are too high, and that likely no more lots will be sold because of the high taxes. If the Coyote Ridge developer/property owners fail to pay their taxes, that development too could be sold at tax auction, again leaving Wellington on the hook for the infrastructure costs.
Even before the economic crisis last fall, it was obvious that lots in these developments were not going to sell like "hotcakes". And now the future of these developments are up in the air.
The City cannot risk any more of your tax dollars gambling on future developments. If the developer wants to risk their money, that is what private enterprise is all about. I will continue my attempts to stop the Developers Incentives, and continue to vote against developments that are built on them.
Public Hearing at the June 16th Council Meeting
The Wellington City Council will have a Public Hearing for community input regarding the application for a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) for renovations to the Memorial Auditorium. The renovations include making restrooms ADA compatible, a new roof, and other remodeling. The grant will be eligible for AARA funding through the U.S. Government. As of yet, I have not seen the plans for the renovation. As soon as they are available, I will post them on my website.
I am opposed however, to any renovations that do not involve "routine maintenance" or making the building ADA Accessible. The citizens made their voice loud and clear last November that they do not want the auditorium renovated into a Recreational Facility.
I am opposed however, to any renovations that do not involve "routine maintenance" or making the building ADA Accessible. The citizens made their voice loud and clear last November that they do not want the auditorium renovated into a Recreational Facility.
Agenda Items - June 16
Some of the agenda items included for June 16th include...
Passing an Ordinance for the Special Assessments for the Coyote Ridge Development. According to Development Incentive Policies, the City picks up the tab for the installation of infrastructure (streets, water, sewer, electric),then assesses the cost to the property owners in the form of Special Assessments. Included in the incentives is a three-year deferment on the specials which have now come due. The City issued Temporary Notes to fund the project, and will now issue Bond to pay off the Temp. Notes.
Passing an Ordinance making Fair Street an official "traffic thoroughfare. This is the first step in repairing Fair Street since an investigation determined it to be property of the railroad.
A Resolution issuing Bonds for the purpose of repairing the Fair Street Underpass. The work, estimated at approximately $300,000 includes correcting drainage issues as well as resurfacing the roadway.
A Resolution accepting bids (#1.2 million) for the Beaver Creek Sewer Line. The line will connect the U.S. 160 corridor area with the new Waste Water Treatment Plant. Funding is from a revolving loan account available through KDHE. The loan will be repaid through assessments on those in the "benefit area" who connect to the sewer.
A Resolution establishing the official agreement between KDOT and the City of Wellington for the receipt of AARA Funds to be used for the Hillside Street Bridge project.
Passing an Ordinance for the Special Assessments for the Coyote Ridge Development. According to Development Incentive Policies, the City picks up the tab for the installation of infrastructure (streets, water, sewer, electric),then assesses the cost to the property owners in the form of Special Assessments. Included in the incentives is a three-year deferment on the specials which have now come due. The City issued Temporary Notes to fund the project, and will now issue Bond to pay off the Temp. Notes.
Passing an Ordinance making Fair Street an official "traffic thoroughfare. This is the first step in repairing Fair Street since an investigation determined it to be property of the railroad.
A Resolution issuing Bonds for the purpose of repairing the Fair Street Underpass. The work, estimated at approximately $300,000 includes correcting drainage issues as well as resurfacing the roadway.
A Resolution accepting bids (#1.2 million) for the Beaver Creek Sewer Line. The line will connect the U.S. 160 corridor area with the new Waste Water Treatment Plant. Funding is from a revolving loan account available through KDHE. The loan will be repaid through assessments on those in the "benefit area" who connect to the sewer.
A Resolution establishing the official agreement between KDOT and the City of Wellington for the receipt of AARA Funds to be used for the Hillside Street Bridge project.
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