Minutes-9 /28/1983

The Tiffin City Council met in special session on Wednesday, September 28, 1983 at the Tiffin Methodist Church. Mayor Potter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present were Brown, Rohret, Spivey, Stevens. Cox arrived at 7:05 p.m. Also present were Attorney, Lynch, Engineer, Barbara Bechtoldt, Judy Aspelmeyer, John W. Grace, Ralph Stoffer, A. J. Sessions, Tom Morgan, Sandra Morgan, Mick Potter, Chris Rohret, Harley Stapes, Rex Flansburg, Dave Stoner, Larry Beuter, Dave Kacena, Roger Janssenn Bob Sentman, Judd TePaske, B. J. Colleran and others. Motion Spivey second Brown to approve agenda. Carried unanimously. Stoffer explained Grace's request for annexation of 131 acres north of Tiffin. He estimated revenue from property taxes on $50,000-$60,000 homes at between $290-$330 per home to the city. He also estimated that the city would receive an extra $30.00 per person from road use tax revenues. The water, sewer and garbage would support itself. No homes would be sold the first year. Approximately 20-30 homes per year would be sold and it would be done in an orderly manner. Stoffer stated that the maintenance of Roberts Ferry Road would be the largest expense to the city. The county engineer estimated maintenance at $2000.00 per year. Stoffer stated that he thought this was a high estimate. Stoffer also estimated added expenses for Ralph Brown's and Adelia Kern's salary at $1,000.00 each. Street lights in the current city cost approximately $200.00 per month. Stoffer estimated a net revenue of about $300.00 per home. Stoffer presented a sketch of the site. Potter stated that many people were in favor of the annexation and development but that their general feeling was it was too large of an area to annex at one time. The Board of Supervisors also thought it was too many acres. TePaske: The county sees no problem with utilizing it all over a period of time, but feels that 40 acres at one time would be reasonable. Potter: Road use tax would maintain the road. Bechtoldt: This year's road use tax, liquor profit and state municipal assistance totals approximately $40.00 per person. Stoffer: Some revenues are based on the federal census. The city can have one special census each decade. Tiffin might want to hold a special census after some homes are sold, in order to increase revenues that way, too. Chris Rohret: At the May 11 meeting, the council agreed upon staging the development. A petition signed by 22 residents, mostly from the hill area, was presented to the council. Their concerns were about Roberts Ferry Road. There should be wise planning for another road for access and staging plans for the development. The 131 acres is too large of an area to annex all at once. We need an engineer's report on capacity of utilities. Engineer: I am just sitting in for Mike Kart and am not familiar with the matter at this time. The new water tower will give more water capacity. Rohret: In June of 1979 the council received a study of water and sewer facilities. The study was completed by Shive-Hattery Engineers. Their estimated cost at that time was $939,000 for a new water system and $636,000 for sewer system. These figures are without interest. The street study in 1979 estimated the cost of asphalting Roberts Ferry Road at $67,600 for its current length. We have enough debt now without incurring another $1,250,000 debt. What is going to be done about utilities?