Agenda - Council - 03/27/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

The consensus of the Council was to direct staff to move forward with City Attorney Goodrich getting additional information on the quiet title action and estimated costs for properties 22 and 32. Planning Intern Brama asked if the City should go through the process of removing dedications from each of the 22 properties, estimated at $44,000 to $110,000 and return the property back to the original developer. The Council discussed the benefit of first contacting property owners who were easily located to ask if they would be willing to remove the dedication restrictions. Councilmember McGlone suggested the dedicators also be asked to pay the fees to get the land transferred back. City Attorney Goodrich indicated there was nothing legally wrong with asking. Councilmember Elvig expressed concern if staff is viewed as trying to market the properties behind the scenes, especially if the parcel is a heavily used tot lot. Councilmember McGlone stated he is not recommending negotiating a sale but for staff to make some telephone calls. He would support spending any money gained on trails to provide connection to parks. Planning Intern Brama clarified that even if the dedication restriction was removed, the property is to be given back to the dedicator, not sold back, so there would be no revenues to put into parks or trails. Councilmember McGlone stated he was addressing the titled properties, not the dedicated properties. Mayor Ramsey joined the meeting via Skype at 6:58 p.m. City Attorney Goodrich noted another option is that the person making the dedication may be willing to release the restriction and give the parcel to the City without restriction. Mayor Pro Tem Wise stated there may be small parcels abutting two properties where they want to purchase and add it to their property, resulting in a minimal tax but it would take that parcel off the City's books. Councilmember Tossey noted if the properties are worth a lot, one negotiating point would be to mention the property owner would have to pay taxes/estate taxes, which may be quite high. The consensus of the Council was that it may not be worth looking at some dedicated/restricted properties erties if it is too expensive to find the dedicator and to direct City Attorney Goodrich to move forward with the dedicated/restricted properties where the dedicator can easily be contacted. City Council Work Session January 17, 2012 Page 5 of 1