Minutes - Council - 05/27/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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how that fits into the Town Center. Until they can test what they need on a site it is tough to get into costs. Councilmember Elvig stated that they are unable to get to the point of understanding as to if they can afford a City Hall until they know size and they have a reasonable idea of what the developer is offering as far as lot size. Councilmember Strommen inquired if the key issue is that the next phase of the study is part of the negotiations with the developer and they need the architect on board to assist in the negotiations. City Administrator Norman replied yes. Councilmember Strommen suggested that providing Council with a timetable for the negotiations might be beneficial as well as keeping the Council updated as to where the negotiations are. City Administrator Norman noted that staff is hopeful that they will have a development agreement by the time the planning process begins. Principal Planner Trudgeon noted that they are currently at the sketch plan process. Mayor Gamec inquired if the development agreement will include land for City Hall. Principal Planner Trudgeon replied that it could. Councilmember Elvig stated that he would be more comfortable if the proposal from BKV Group included an estimation of costs for constructing the facility. Assistant City Administrator Nelson replied that they always envisioned that that be included in the study. Motion was amended to adopt Resolution #03-05-132 authorizing the proposal from BKV Group for preliminary planning for City Hall and Police Department including estimated cost parameters and options for construction of a City Hall facility at a cost not to exceed $7,000 and authorize the use of funds from the Council Contingency Fund, but directing staff to bring the budget amount of $7,000 up for discussion during the 2004 budget process for a possible budget amendment to fund the expenditure from another source. Further discussion: Councilmember Elvig stated that he would like to see the different costs for different size facilities. Mr. Baxley replied that he would be able to present different options for the City and think they should be able to do it within the dollar limit. If they get close to the not to exceed amount he would advise staff and work accordingly. Mayor Gamec inquired as to how long it would take to complete the study. Mr. Baxley replied that he is in a position where they will need to move fairly quickly. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, and Councilmembers Pearson, Kurak, Cook, Elvig, Strommen, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #4: Authorization to Apply for an Opportunity Grant through the Livable Communities Demonstration Program, Case of City of Ramsey Principal Planner Trudgeon stated that the Metropolitan Council recently opened up a new round of funding for Opportunity Grants through the Livable Communities Demonstration Program. The grant program was created to fund and assist local communities in developing project and site specific land use plans that show potential for evolving into development category. The Metropolitan Council has a total of $300,000 in grant money available to disperse to metro area communities. The grant will be disbursed in amounts from $30,000 to $75,000 and the city must match the grant award on a one to one basis. The funds can be used for the preparation of master plans, developing design standards, market studies, developing zoning and land use implementation tools. As part of the 2001 Ramsey Comprehensive Plan, the City created a City Council/May 27, 2003 Page 9 of 18