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ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 225 - (Continued) Proponents stated that there are approximately 2,000 children attending the schools in the area who must walk on these streets; that in rainy weather because of the mud along the sides of the streets, the chi~ftren must walk in the center of the street; that the cost will not become less if the project is delayed; that the improvements are needed now; that the people living in this area are entitled to streets, curbs, and sidewalks; that the improvements will increase t' e value of the homes; that young families have moved out of the area because thc,, did not want their childr~en walking in the streets to an elementary school; that City funds have been budgeted for the project; that the intent of the 1911 Act was to give resident owners the right to determine whether or not such improvements are necessary, and of the protests, resident owners constituted less than 50% of those involved; that lenders are hesitant to loan money on property where there are no curbs or gutters; that the need for the improvements is clear and the cost must be borne by the residents. Mrs. Janice Boer, 912 N. Lowell, stated that the 1911 Act provides that a mortgage, or lien, is placed on the property until the assessment is paid in full; thai the contractor has the authority to sell these mortgages to a bank or other lending agency. In response to Councilman Villa's question, Mr. Wolford stated it is common practice for a contractor to sell the paper to a bonding agency; Mr. Ganahl stated that in case of default, it would take approximately eight months from the time of the first request to foreclose, and there is a one-year redemption period after that. There was discussion concerning widening of the streets and the portion of the cost which the City would pay. RECESS At 9:15 P. M., a recess was declared. The meeting reconvened at 9:30 P,M., with all Council members present. ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 225 - (Continued) At Mr. Drake's request, the Clerk of the Council read Mrs. Drake's letter protesting formation of the assessment district. Mr. Louis Gates~ 9191 Dalton Circle, Westminster, stated he owns property in the area of the assessment district and that he believed that $8.00 a month per parcel would be a very minor investment for the appreciation of the property. There were no further proponents or opponents in the matter, and the Mayor closed the public hearing to all further testimony except for a review by Mr. Wolford of color and slide pictures of the area. Councilman Villa stated he would like to protest the protests because these petitions were taken under duress and deception and he considered them invalid. Councilman Patterson stated that he would like to have the details of the procedure for obtaining signed protests brought out at the hearing. In response to his questions, it was determined that out of 161 protests, 160 were in the same format; that handwriting giving lot number and address on all 160 was the same; and that Councilman Markel turned in all of the protests that were in the same format. CITY COUNCIL -364- November 1, 1971