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City Administrator Norman stated that the Council did authorize action to condemn the <br />remainder of the property, but then staff requested that the process be delayed. The reason he <br />agreed to meet with the property owners was to discuss the fi'ontage road study and at that time <br />he made it very clear that he did not agree with the placement of the pipe on the north side of the <br />tracks. He recommended that the Council proceed with acquiring the property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman inquired if the City of Ramsey would lose any money if they did <br />not proceed with Phase II. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson replied that there would not be outlet to the drainage pond. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman inquired as to what the plan would cost to construct the drainage <br />pipe directly to Highway #10. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski replied that he would have to research the cost. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson inquired if there was a way to layout what the options are. She <br />recognizes that once the improvement there will be substantial more development potential and <br />worth more money. She stated that she is not interested in forcing someone out of their land, but <br />do know that the land will be more valuable. She inquired if it was possible to phase the project <br />or defer cost. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that one option would be to get out of the taxing district and go to <br />an assessment project and consider some type of deferral. There would be the same cost, but do <br />face the obstacle of proving benefit. Chapter 444 was adopted so that the cities do not have to <br />face litigation proving benefit. Chapter 429 special assessment gives more options regarding <br />deferment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen inquired if it would be possible to assess the property owners that <br />have already benefited from the project and what those costs would be. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich replied that staff was not prepared to answer all those questions. He <br />recommended that the Council table action for a month and direct the City Attorney to continue <br />condemnation for the next 60 days. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to why land acquisition discussions stopped with the <br />property owner. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman replied that he had requested permission to meet with the property <br />owners to discuss the frontage road concept. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he had recalled the City Administrator requesting <br />permission to commence some sort of negotiation regarding purchase of the property. <br /> <br />City Council/June 12, 2001 <br />Page 11 of 19 <br /> <br />-67- <br /> <br /> <br />