All: There has been a snafu with this plan that is not insurmountable, but can use a little of your help!

Here's some background: the FINAL plat was approved by the Plan Commission and Common Council in November of 2007 - a routine project and path. There were letters of offers sent and accepted between the City and MMSD. But, a final sale was never made because MMSD did not ever record the final plat. A technicality for most of us, but a legal reality to mark off a piece of property and sell it.

In the interim, the city worked on the impression that everything - the school site, the lots for the LaFollette students to build upon for their class and the fire station were a go. Far into the future, (fire station 2012 or 2013); school following a referendum, but still a done deal. Only the check hadn't changed hands for the fire station.

As with all developments - and MMSD is now a developer with this unique lot arrangement - the city assesses the developer for improvements or the developer simply puts them in and pays for them per city instructions, and the city accepts the work. Roads and a traffic circle - thinking ahead to calming already! - are part of the plan. Here is the assessment:

$502,012.20 STREET (includes a traffic circle at Herndon and Wyalusing when Herndon goes through as part of the plan - est. in this figure of $100,000)
$75,000.00 LIGHTING
$73,800.00 STORM
$147,600.00 SANITARY
$123,000.00 WATER

$921,412.20 TOTAL (W/ ENG & CONT)

Recently, MMSD and the School Board decided the assessment was too high, even though the city offered a payment over time and normal rate structure. So, negotiations continue at a furious pace, lots of surprised and disappointed people, including me and you.

The good news is that the long horizon buys time for both parties to continue to talk. From my perspective, MMSD needs to live up to their plans and now apparently, tentative, agreements, sell the fire station the lot and continue to plan for this school. The other good piece of news is that two new school board members have been elected and the topics will be discussed at the May 5 board meeting.

Here's where you come in: call or e-mail the School Board reps - Mr. Winston lives in our district and has always been responsive in the past. If you supported any of the new members, remind them that this is important to you and you want them to support it. And, remind the incumbents we're out here, growing and expecting this school.

All in all, it strikes as a rather strange argument - we tax payers support both the city and the school with our real estate payment. Either way, WE all pay for it.

You'll learn more at the SENA meeting on Saturday - your guests from Fire and MMSD are as in the middle as us. Be nice and let them know how you feel so they can share with others back at the office on Monday.
Lauren Cnare
Alder Dist 3
226-0987