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<br />allowed within the district. The process impacted approximately 60 properties between the <br />Ramsey/Anoka municipal boundary west to Armstrong Boulevard. <br /> <br />The Tinklenberg Group, on behalf of the City of Ramsey, has served as a liaison between the <br />municipality and willing sellers within the officially mapped area since 2004. The primary reason for <br />the Group's involvement was to develop positive, trusting relationships with residents and business <br />owners along the corridor as plans for future access and highway improvements began being <br />studied, and to inform property owners of options available to them including the RALF program. <br />There were strong concerns among property owners regarding how these changes would impact the <br />future of their business and residential investments, particularly due to the limitations imposed on <br />them and their perception of impacts to property values, expansion and/or redevelopment <br />opportunities. <br /> <br />Over the past several years The Tinklenberg Group has been able to rebuild these relationships and <br />bridge the gap between members of the community and city government. In many cases adversarial <br />property owners have become advocates for proposed transportation improvements, and they now <br />better understand the city's intentions to protect the corridor. While this shift in publiC perception <br />has changed significantly, the insertion of an objective party continues to prove extremely valuable in <br />working with property owners to ensure they feel fairly compensated through a process that involves <br />clear guidelines and safeguards designed to protect both buyer and seller. <br /> <br />The following sections provide a more detailed overview of the steps involved in the acquisition <br />process. <br /> <br />Preliminary Approval <br />· The City of Ramsey submits an application to the Met Council requesting preliminary approval to <br />utilize RALF funds for the purchase of property within an officially mapped area. <br />· The Met Council assesses the number of requests from other communities in process against the <br />amount of available program funds. Because each acquisition is unique and timing to reach final <br />acquisition varies significantly, this process is not cut and dry and is largely based on assumptions <br />as to when and at what cost acquisitions become complete. <br />· If funds appear to be available, the Met Council forwards the application to MnDOT for advisory <br />comments and authorization to proceed. MnDOT essentially confirms the parcel is located <br />within an officially mapped area and may request additional information relative to <br />environmental issues or other concerns. <br /> <br />Appraisal and Review <br />· Upon receiving preliminary approval an appraisal is conducted. A number of different appraisers <br />have been used in the past and the selection of the appraiser is not predetermined or mandated. <br />However, the process works most effectively if the buyer and seller can agree on one firm to <br />avoid the cost and time associated with a second appraisal. An appraisal conducted prior to Met <br />Council/MnDOTapproval cannot be used. <br />· Upon completion of the appraisal, the information is reviewed by the buyer and seller. At this <br />point both parties review the information for accuracy. Often times the seller will have an <br />attorney review the appraisal in an effort to identify property characteristics and/or assets that <br />may have been missed to ensure highest value. Typically an appraisal is thorough and there is <br />little basis for modifying the appraised value. Any modification requires approval from MnDOT. <br /> <br />2 <br />