In a somewhat biased Lakes and Loons survey, Ham Lake residents were allowed the opportunity to log on and give their opinion on the proposed ideas for city water and sewer in Ham Lake, MN. What was their opinion? In a word, NO!

The Lakes and Loons staff did what they could to verify one vote per resident so there is some legitimacy to the polling process. At this first chance for Ham Lake residents to voice their opinion on the subject, the response was overwhelmingly in favor of leaving things as they are. With 186 respondents, a whopping 183 said no to city water and sewer for the City of Ham Lake.

I don't know what kind of margin for error would be considered in this survey but whatever it is; this survey needs to be seriously considered by the Task Force and Ham Lake City Council. With survey numbers like this, a community wide poll might be a consideration prior to moving forward on any type of city water/sewer system. FULL SURVEY RESULTS.

When the Lakes and Loons February issue arrived in our mailbox, I spent over an hour reading the full two page spread of comments with my husband. There were over a hundred comments. Many respondents were senior citizens and long time residents questioning the logic of the proposal and how they were expected to pay for it. Several people vowed to move. A few thought the mayor should move. Many questioned what is the Met Council and what does it do? READ COMMENTS HERE

As a Realtor and resident of Ham Lake, some of these comments are concerning to me. First of all, anyone in Ham Lake that is considering moving has now been put on notice of potential city water and sewer assessments. This information about potential and proposed assessments must be disclosed to any and every potential home buyer. With the real estate market slowdown, this will make selling any Ham Lake home extremely difficult, if not impossible, until the situation is resolved. Any home could be sold but the price concessions would have to be drastic to outweigh a potential $20,000 plus assessment.

As for what the Met Council is and the role it plays in the decisions being made in Ham Lake, I had this same question. I did some research on the Metropolitan Council website and discovered that in addition to providing funds for developing parks and walking trails, they are an integral part of the Twin Cities wastewater treatment system. The Met Council is receives 42% of its funding from user fees for waste water treatment and transit service. Read about the MET COUNCIL and what they do here.

Ham Lake residents will have their opportunity Tuesday, February 12, 2008 to voice their opinions on city water and sewer at a Town Hall meeting. It is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM at City Hall with a Task Force presentation on all five proposals. Plan to attend and let your voice be heard.

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Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Theresa "Teri" Eckholm, a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet.   I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

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This post has been included in Minnesota Real Estate News Anoka County, MN Real Estate News Ham Lake, MN Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Minnesota's Nice :)
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism

18 Comments on Ham Lakers Have Spoken—City Water and Sewer may be the Mayor's Dream, But Not Theirs!

FEB
11
2008
447,503 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Teri - It is great that you are helping to get the word out on this meeting.  It is important that your community be there so that their opinions matter. 
9:07am • #1
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Steve--This is an important topic and a bit under the radar of some Ham Lake residents so hopefully this helps to get the word out there!
10:32am • #2
1,091,244 Points 201 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Hi Teri, WOW! That would be one hefty assessment. They ought to be considering doing this in a bond. Unless people are just totally rich and have a lot of un-invested funds laying around, that assessment would be considered totally outrageous. And certainly will not bode well for either resales or new construction.
10:59am • #3
1,156,686 Points 38 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Teri, I hope many people find this and get out to voice their opinions.  Especially at this time it seems it could have an awful impact.
3:26pm • #4
173,544 Points 43 Featured Posts
Teri, I wish our city were that progressive with online surveys.  We still can't pay our city water sewer and bill online.  That being said, I hope that many find your local post and this issue gets further awareness and recognition.  It is amazing what a group of informed and educated people can do when they are pooled together.  Good Luck.
9:59pm • #5
532,041 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Teri,

Just reading your many wonderful posts on Ham Lake makes me think it must be like living on Golden Pond there. That was the very first time I heard about the loons.

10:54pm • #6
FEB
12
2008
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
William--I have given the low number on the assessment as some have projected closer to $30K per home. And that is just the beginning as it would not include the homeowners responsibility to cap the well and remove the empty septic tank and relandscape. Some of the homes are higher valued but for most people this would be an extreme hardship as it would be approximately 10% of the value of their homes or more. It is not a well thought out plan.
7:49am • #7
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Carole--It sounds like the meeting will be standing room only...Very important that our city council see that the community does not believe that the costs will bring any benefits to the community.
7:51am • #8
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Rebecca--It isn't the city but a neighborhood newspaper with the online survey. The city will be conducting a phone survey conducted by the task force. The area of the city most upset at this point are the ones that these changes will affect first as if they will be assessed the bulk of the expense with few, if any, benefits. As we currently don't have (or want) city water or sewer, there is no need to pay for them online. Gas, Trash and Electric are through big companies and do allow online payment though. :)
7:57am • #9
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Lynda--Funny you should mention loons...There are loons that nest near our home. In the spring and summer I can hear them calling in the early morning and late evening. It is pretty awesome...I hope it doesn't change with this overdevelopment proposal that is being considered.
7:59am • #10
601,429 Points 36 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp
Teri, nice post and work for the consumer. I want to get organized to do some similar things in my market. I am going to start carrying my camera everywhere and interviewing people. I am looking forward to a year of focus for my consumer. You really do a nice job on that level. Thanks for the inspiration.
9:34am • #11
104,190 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I know of several small town where residents were give no choice about going to town water and sewage. Septic systems were leaking pollutants into the nearby river. Is there any concern about the functionng of existing wells and septic systems here?
12:35pm • #12
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jeanean--You are very welcome...I haven't gone as far as interviewing on the street but want to keep residents and newcomers updated on real estate issues in the north metro and Anoka County.

 
12:50pm • #13
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Rosario--There is a very small minority of people with septic issues and small lots near the lake but there are less expensive options available to them that wont be at the expense of those who have maintained their systems properly. Water safety is the guise for the developers that are involved who want to put in the high density residential housing. As one of the home owners affected with a well maintained and working system, along with a couple hundred of my neighbors with well maintained and working septic systems, there are concerns that the needs of a few will be resolved at the expense of many...Many people will end up losing their houses if they do not have $20-30K in equity or cash to pay the assessments. This is not about environmental hazards...It is about greed and money.
1:00pm • #14
1,072,306 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
Nice update Teri, I was wonder what the outcome of you first post on this issue was going to be.  The budget looked a little more...oh heck...a lot more than the area looked like it could support for the millage requirement to get this project done.  Thanks for the update.
9:37pm • #15
FEB
13
2008
322,063 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Teri - I love how you did always do your research and disclose what needs to be told.... you are the cream of the crop for REALTORS®
12:02am • #16
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Gary--Though the residents have had a chance to speak, they have not received a chance to vote. It has not been decided yet but is up to the decisions of the city council and they are still in the information gathering stage. As I get more information, I will post as this will affect the property values of all Ham Lake residents.
7:19am • #17
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Thesa--Thanks...I appreciate your comments! :)
7:21am • #18

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Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Ham Lake, MN

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Address: 4910 Highway 61 N, White Bear Lake , MN, 55110

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Theresa "Teri" Eckholm/REMAX Specialists assists Minnesotans to find their way home with helpful tips and quality service. Dedication to customer service has made Teri the REALTOR® of choice for families in Blaine, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Wyoming areas. Licensed in MN.


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