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estimate how much it will cost beyond the $325 filing costs with the court. He clarified the City <br /> does not get the property; it has to go back to the person/company that dedicated the property <br /> and/or its heirs. <br /> Councilmember McGlone stated the estimated costs have a $66,000 swing and asked if all of the <br /> properties can be handled in one action before the judge. He stated the motivation for this <br /> consideration was to gain revenues, wherever possible, to put back into the Park Dedication Fund <br /> to enhance other City parks. Councilmember McGlone felt a case could be made to the judge <br /> that the City has 51 parks and needs to reevaluate its park system moving forward. He noted that <br /> when the pocket parks came into existence, Ramsey was a developing community so small parks <br /> served isolated neighborhoods. However, that has changed and the City now has miles of trails. <br /> He supported having only five parks and selling whatever land possible. <br /> City Attorney Goodrich stated it may be possible to combine the lots into one District Court <br /> action but it would require investigating all of the parcels and, in the end, the property goes back <br /> to the dedicators and the City will not receive title. <br /> Councilmember McGlone suggested staff determine who the property would go back to and ask <br /> if they would be willing to pay for the cost to cover that process. Then the City would get tax <br /> dollars from those properties. <br /> Councilmember Backous agreed the context of the discussion was pocket parks, the strain on <br /> staff with maintenance, costs to the City, and how to get the property back on the tax rolls. He <br /> supported staff investigating first to try and locate the dedicators and ask if they are willing to <br /> buy back the property. This will result in lowering the City's maintenance costs and getting the <br /> property back on the tax rolls. Councilmember Backous asked about the dedicated versus <br /> restricted parcels and how many are involved. <br /> Planning Intern Brama explained the types of restrictions on donated property, such as for park <br /> dedication. <br /> City Attorney Goodrich explained that dedicated property is generally received through a plat for <br /> a specific use and restricted property is received through a deed process. <br /> Councilmember Strommen asked whether the investigation is worth doing since the court needs <br /> to first determine whether the property can be returned. She stated she also wants to know the <br /> location of the parcels, maintenance costs on those parcels, and how developable are the parcels. <br /> If containing significant wetlands, they City may not receive any revenue on them, and it is <br /> expensive to resolve title issues. Councilmember Strommen stated she wants to assure the <br /> benefits being assumed will actually be received. She would also like to see a balance sheet that <br /> includes estimated revenue in taxes. She stated the younger neighborhood children use the <br /> pocket park on her street a lot and asked what the City's maintenance costs are. <br /> Parks Supervisor Riverblood indicated the City has no maintenance costs on that pocket park. It <br /> was noted this type of pocket park results in constant complaints because the park is not mowed <br /> or maintained. <br /> City Council Work Session / January 17, 2012 <br /> Page 2of10 <br />