Agenda - Council - 04/27/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Elvig, to grant approval of the proposed site plan tbr a manufacturing/office building contingent upon compliance with City staff review letter dated August 1, 2003, revised August 22, 2003. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, and Councilmembers KUrak, Elvig, Cook, Pearson, Strommen, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #10: Consider Authorization of Development Agreement with Ramsey Town Center, LLC City Administrator Norman stated that the City was still negotiating with Ramsey Town Center, LLC, but there is a fast approaching deadline. They are hoping to have the document completed within the next couple of days and requested that the Council schedule a special meeting to address the issue. In order for Ramsey Town Center, LLC to purchase the property, a development agreement needs to be approved and there is a deadline to take down the property. Mayor Gamec stated that with such a large project he did not want to rush into approving a development agreement. City Administrator Norman encouraged the Council to take the time to meet with staff to address any of their questions. Mayor Gamec stated that it was fine to discuss issues individually, but their comments will want to be talked about as a Council of the whole. City Attorney Goodrich stated that the Council does need to meet on the issue and at that time staff can present everything they have and then the Council can vote on the document. Tim Engen, Ramsey Town Center, LLC, stated that they are at a point in a major project where 100 hours have been spent to assemble a transaction that reflects the interest of the City and the need to commence immediate construction. He hoped to take the time from now until next Tuesday to meet with individual Councilmembers to discuss the information so that they will feel comfortable with the document. He stated that what appears to be a rush to judgment is not really the case. Because of pending users and commitments that are waiting final plat, they may be appearing pushy. Because of the size of the project and importance of it they want to take the time to go through the agreement and not give a rash to judgment feeling. Councihnember Elvig stated that the Council is obviously feeling the pressure with the size of the project and the size of the docUment. He personally is getting more comfortable with the financial aspect of the development, but he did not know that they had everything in place to assure that the City would be covered if the project fails. He inquired if there were outstanding circumstances that were holding Ramsey Town Center, LLC to have the development agreement approved on September 2nd. Mr. Engen explained that there are banking obligations and the taking of the land that the City Council/August 26, 2003 Page 14 of 25