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<br />Council to receive a memo about it, as we are paying $300,000 more for a property than <br />the assessed value. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Nelson stated staff would do that. <br /> <br />Councilmeinber Look added that staff could get specifics on the Coon Rapids property as <br />well and to find out if sewer and water is available on the site. <br /> <br />2. Discuss Use of Consultants for RALF Acquisitions <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Nelson stated that the City has been using The Tinklenberg <br />Group for the RALF acquisition and appraisal process. Back when the City started the <br />acquisition process, there were some relationship issues and The Tinklenberg Group <br />assisted us. In later years, they did the work and had a greater understanding of how the <br />program worked. One of the benefits is we are able to get their work paid for through <br />RALF and it takes a burden off staff. Ms. Ruehle has become very familiar - she knows <br />the process and she knows the local property owners. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that his understanding of the RALF program is that the <br />appraisal is ordered. We bring it to the property owners and ask if it' s acceptable. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that is true. The only variance would be getting a second <br />appraisal if the first seems out of whack. Sometimes the consultant has gotten <br />administrative settlements ifthe seller feels the appraisal is way too low. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen commented that we are paying $10,000 for The Tinklenberg <br />Group to negotiate these. He wondered if the City is getting a $10,000 value. However, <br />regardless if Ms. Ruehle is effective or not, he asked why we couldn't do that piece of the <br />process with our lawyer instead. We can call and request an appraisal and that wouldn't <br />take a lot of staff time. He felt it is better to have the attorney negotiating on behalf of <br />the City instead of a layperson. He added that he has more confidence in using our own <br />counsel. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that Councilmember Dehen might be using too narrow a definition <br />of appraisal. Often times we are running into environmental issues and The Tinklenberg <br />Group deals with all of that; however, we can certainly do part ofthis process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated he did not know if other communities are using consultants <br />and reiterated that he is wondering if there is value in using this consultant. You are <br />dealing with the same situation every time you take down a property; therefore, he did <br />not understand the complexity of it. If we handle that with our own attorney, that's a <br />better scenario. Every time The Tinklenberg Group works on this, it's another $10,000. <br /> <br />Ms. Nelson stated that we could do that but we have used The Tinklenberg Group in the <br />past and we would have to take all that on. Ms. Ruehle shepherds this entire process and <br />we payher $10,000, or you carve out so much of an internal staffs time. Ms. Nelson <br /> <br />City Council Work Session - March 2, 2010 <br />Page 5 of 11 <br />