Havre drainage project may cost $600,000

It could cost nearly $600,000 to repair the drainage problems on Havre’s far south-side area, residents were told Wednesday night.

Havre Public Works Director Dave Peterson said the cost could be lowered if they found out that road construction in the area will not have to be as extensive as they now believe.

About 30 area residents attended the informational meeting at Havre City Hall.

Residents are considering petitioning the city for a special improvement district that would assess property owners a certain amount each year to pay for the repairs.

Residents say the area has always been plagued by drainage problems, but it has increased in recent years because of new home construction in the area. Peterson told the crowd that creating a special improvement district is not easy.

The residents have to do the legwork, he said. The city cannot propose a special improvement district, he said.

Peterson said it was his understanding that 100 percent of the property owners in the area would have to agree to the initial phase of planning the district.

Once details are worked out, he said, 51 percent of the residents have to give their OK.

Then, he said, the costs would be apportioned to the property owners.

It could be assessed by the square footage of the property or by the curbside footage. The latter method is somewhat unfair to people who live on corners, he said.

Attorney Brian Lilletvedt, who lives in the affected area, speculated it would be very difficult to move forward with a special improvement district if every residents had to agree to the initial phase.

“If one person is against it, it’s dead,” he said.

Peterson said that’s why many special improvement districts cover small areas, not the larger district propose here.

Many residents at the meeting seemed to want to hold off making a decision until voters decide this fall whether they want to embark upon a $30 million project over 20 years to renovate the streets citywide.

If voters approve the $30 million project — which would cost the average owner of a $100,000 home $225 annually — they might be skittish about adding more money for the drainage project. Especially, Peterson said, because water and seer fees may be rising soon.

Peterson said other figures have been mentioned, but $225 is the correct for the citywide project.

The affected area is not on the city’s Top 10 list for projects to be undertaken under the $30 million plan, but if the streets continue to deteriorate the area could become more of a priority.

Some residents asked Peterson that, failing the approval of the special improvement district, could the city do a better job of filling potholes in the area. Peterson said city crews would try, but the city is faced with deteriorating streets in most neighborhoods and little money in the budget to fix them.

Over the weekend, he said, the weather caused serious problems to 7th Avenue near St. Jude Thaddeus Church. The street is full of potholes and pavement bursts, he said.

“Fixing that area near St. Jude’s will take up a good part of our budget,” he said.