Minutes - Council - 06/24/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Attorney Goodrich suggested some additional language for the motion. Motion by Councilmember Look, seconded by Councilmember Strommen, to approve the Lease Agreement, dated June 17, 2008, between T-Mobile USA and the City of Ramsey for the lease of a 40 foot by 40 foot portion of land in Alpine Park (and associated access easements) for the construction of a telecommunications tower that will be constructed in accordance with the approved conditional use permit, subject to final review by City Attorney Goodrich. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Look, Strommen, Jeffrey, Look, and Olson. Voting No: Councilmember Dehen. Absent: Councilmember Elvig. Case #8: Consider the Sale of the North 120 feet of Lot 2, Block 2, Gateway North Industrial Park to Dave Perkins Contracting Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan stated that Dave Perkins Contracting has offered $96,840 to purchase the northern 1/3 of this property. He stated that as part of a redevelopment project, the City relocated this business to their existing site where they have invested a great deal of money in a very attractive building. He stated that the business owner has indicated that the acquisition of this property is necessary for his business to succeed. He stated that the EDA has discussed this in great detail including what the City purchased the land for and what it should be sold for. He stated that it was decided to get an appraisal for the property and sell it for that amount. He noted that the property was purchased with TIF funds, not EDA funds. Mayor Gamec asked if Dave Perkins Contracting had the first choice on buying this property. City Attorney Goodrich stated that this is a sensitive issue because the property was acquired through eminent domain and it was made clear that the City was not buying the property in order to convey it to another party, but for public purposes. Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan stated that Mr. Perkins had previously expressed interest in the property. Councilmember Dehen asked if it was Mr. Perkins' understanding that the City would acquire the property and sell it to him. City Attorney Goodrich stated that this may have been Mr. Perkins' understanding, but it was not the understanding of the staff or the Council. He stated that there may have been some informal conversations with Mr. Perkins, but nothing official. Councilmember Dehen stated that his problem with this is that the City buys property for "high buck" and then turns around and sells it at a lower price. He stated that the purchasing party in this case had already tried to acquire the land from KIH. He stated that he is troubled because he is being told that property values are going down, but there have been other cases where industrial property, if not increasing, was holding its own, unlike residential. He stated that he doesn't know what to believe regarding this issue. City Council I June 24, 2008 Page 11 of 17