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x. iI Session 1316, Minutes Page 7 October 11, 1982 that the quality of Comfort's printing was adequate, but Ms Glassman did not share that opinion. Staff was concerned that the quality be as high as possible; his con- cern added price to that view. Ms Glassman said she had some samples of the work of Comfort Printing in her office. Action on this matter was delayed until she could return with them to the meeting. STREET IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT POLICY The City Manager said the City Council last spring updated its longstanding policy for special assessment of adjacent property owners for street improvements. However, that policy applied only to a street being improved for the first time, receiving paving, curbs, gutters and drainage improvements. As the City's streets aged, the City will be facing streets as much as 40, 50 and even 60 years old which will be in need of complete replacement. In some cases, proper base material was never in- stalled, Mr. Ollendorff said. Council policy has been that the City accept main- tenance of all streets once they have been improved. He said there was a gap in the policy for those streets which needed complete reconstruction, and he suggested that assessment be pegged at 50% of the assessment that would be applied for original im- provements, which is currently $11.00 per front foot for a new street. In other words, when an improved street completely wore out, adjacent property owners would be charged 50% of the normal assessment for original improvements to the street. He said that would be roughly equivalent to the charge of a driveway approach to the property. He thought a flat rate was more equitable than the driveway approach, since many homeowners don't have driveways or they are of varying size. Answering Mayor Mooney, Mr. Ollendorff said the City has not charged for rebuilding of streets in the past, since only one or two had to be rebuilt. He noted the proposed amount would come to between 10% and 20% of the total cost, with the City providing the re- mainder. Mr. Schoomer said this policy seemed equitable, but he would like the opportunity to study it further. He suggested that the matter be tabled to the subcommittee which revised the City's street assessment policy last spring. Mr. Adams asked what would happen if another bond issue for streets was floated. Mr. Ollendorff said the assessment policy could still apply, and Mayor Mooney pointed out that would permit the bond issue funds to be spread somewhat further. Mr. Adams said he could accept such a policy for residential streets; however, he thought it might not apply to a through street such as Midland. Mrs. Metcalfe said if the City was to take advantage of the proposed cooperative agreement with the City of Clayton, a decision on this matter had to be made immedi- ately, since construction was ready to begin on Linden Avenue. This street was the impetus for development of the suggested policy put forward by the City Manager, she said. It was in extreme disrepair, and the City had the opportunity to repair it at a financial advantage by virtue of the agreement with Clayton (a bill will be on the City Clerk's docket). Mrs. Metcalfe thought the concept of charging half of what would normally be charged was fair to residents. She also noted that a street like Midland was different, and she said there may be a problem in the future as to where the line between residential and through streets was drawn, noting that the Council would have to try to be as consistent as possible. She moved that the Council ac- cept the policy as outlined by the City Manager. Mr. Schoomer seconded the motion.