Minutes - Council - 08/12/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #4: Consider Commencement of Condemnation Action to Acquire Land Legally Described as Lot 2, Block 2, Gateway North Industrial Park Plat 2 City Attorney Goodrich stated that the City has been involved in negotiations with Lorraine Chies to purchase property legally described as Lot 2, Block 2, Gateway North Industrial Park Plat 2. The negotiations have not led to a mutual agreement. The property was identified as blighted and in need of redevelopment by the City of Ramsey. The City has acquired funds in the form of a Community Development Block Grant to assist the City in the acquisition of this property. Staff requested that the City commence an eminent domain action in order to acquire the property. Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Pearson, to adopt Resolution #03-08-198 authorizing commencement of an eminent domain action to acquire land. Further discussion: City Attorney Goodrich noted that the name needed to be amended in the Resolution and that there were a couple of small typing errors that would need to be corrected. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired as to what the public purpose was. City Administrator Norman replied redevelopment. Councilmember Kurak noted that she has talked to staff about the issue and they have indicated that it is an ongoing negotiation, but taking this action keeps their options open if necessary. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, and Councilmembers Kurak, Pearson, Cook, Elvig, Strommen, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #5: Consider Utility Improvement Project to Oak Terrace Estates Improvement Project #02-40 City Engineer Jankowski stated that on May 13, 2003, a public hearing was held on the extension of City sanitary utilities to service the Oak Terrace Estates Mobile Home Park. A feasibility study was prepared which outlines the scope of the project. At the conclusion of the public hearing, several issues were identified as needing to be clarified prior to this project being considered further. Council requested that the Health Department be contacted to determine to what degree an existing health hazard exists, and whether the City would be required to extend sanitary sewer to eliminate such a hazard. Staff has spoken to Mr. Mike Gianotti, the area inspector for the Minnesota Department of Health. Mr. Gianotti indicated that he has observed conditions within the trailer park where sewage has flooded streets and yards. Currently, the existing system is being pumped at such a frequency that it is considered as operating similar to a holding tank. As to the issue regarding whether the Health Department can require the extension of the sanitary sewer system, State Code 4630.0800(1) states that trailer parks must connect to sanitary sewer systems whenever such system is available. Given the circumstance, it was staff's opinion that a sanitary sewer system would be considered as being available. A second issue concerns the recommendation within the feasibility study that storm sewer be installed along with the sanitary improvements to alleviate rainwater ponding occurring along the railroad City Council/August 12, 2003 Page 18 of 30