Public comment dominates meeting

A lot of public comment was heard regarding the completion of the $1.75 million Eighth Street SE construction project during the regular meeting of the Waseca City Council Tuesday, October 18, 2022. 

The project came in $456,136 under the original estimated amount. Assessments for homeowners living along the street totalled $240,025.44, or 13% of the entire project, with the remaining funds coming from a Local Road Improvement Program grant, street capital improvement funds, and water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utility funds. The project contract was with Hazelton Construction. 

Comments began with Dave Wiscoski, an Eighth-Street resident, who declared his frustration with a letter he received from the city. The letter stated that, if he does not pay his street assessment fee of $2,200, the cost will be levied on his home. Wiscoski said he felt like the letter was an attack. After clarification, he was informed that the levy goes onto his property taxes, paid with 4% interest over the course of 10 years. Wiscoski said he wished he had known about the 4% interest because he said he would have saved the money in order to avoid paying interest. 

At 7:50 p.m. the meeting was opened for a public hearing prior to the council approving the final assessment roll for the Eighth Street project. 

Councilperson John Mansfield’s wife gave an objection to the project arguing the city should assess the entire city of Waseca for street repair projects rather than imposing additional assessments on those owning property along the street. “It is more reasonable for everyone to pay for public roads… The council has been asking in recent weeks how to bring new businesses and persons into town. What about the families already living here?”

Mrs. Mansfield said her property taxes each year are already $10,000 and this assessment added another $9,000. “You’re pushing people away from this good town,” she argued. 

Another point of contention was the mill and overlay south of railroad tracks crossing Eighth Street. Water was not draining properly so “edgemilling” was done in order to create a better crown for the road; the process was meant to improve water drainage, thus extending the life of the road. 

Justin Bloom addressed the council regarding the depth of the blacktop. Bloom said he took measurements and the blacktop was not three inches, but between two-and-a-quarter and two-and-a-half inches. City Engineer Nathan Willy said core samples were taken and the project met specifications. 

Another question was posed regarding whether the weight capacity of the road could support semi and large truck traffic. The response was that the road is built for a 10-ton capacity and should be sufficient. 

Council member Mansfield expressed displeasure over $50,000 in unexpected costs. At “the last minute” the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)  informed the city that several curbs needed to be higher than originally specified, requiring the purchase of $30,000 in additional concrete. 

Mansfield expressed further displeasure with the council’s previous decision for street assessments of individual property owners. “Would you want a $10,000 assessment?”

“Been there, done that,” Council member John Clemons responded. 

Mayor Roy Srp, acting as moderator, said if that’s something that needs to be discussed, then it needs to be carried forward, reminding everyone the next council can make a different decision if it so chooses. 

The public hearing closed at 8:13 p.m. following which Mansfield abstained from a vote which unanimously approved the final adoption of the Eighth Street assessment roll.