Minutes - Council - 10/21/1976 - Special

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-3- C. 10/2]~,/76 SPECIAL MEETING Mr. Dennis Otterman stated that the people are not against a city hall, but against the site. General consensus is that a city hall is needed. Mayor Cox said he is not hung up on the site, but nobody has shown where a good site is if this is a bad site. Mr. Dale Voltin, 162nd Lane NW, asked if we have an option in writing to buy more land? Mayor Cox said this is a possibility and a reasonable thing. Mr. Voltin said he feels people voted against the city hall because it is across from the school and the site is not large enough. Mayor Cox reported that Mr. Schutz~ representing the Homeowners Association, has sat at meetings before the building committee was appointed and he was asked for input, which the minutes will reflect, and he indicated--not at this time, however, some feel it should be a larger site. Councilwoman Oliphant expressed objection to going after funds just to go after funds. She said the City is not ready to write a grant. Councilman Gorham said a 3.9 billion dollar grant is going out under the EDA program. Mr. Schutz asked if we would have another chance to ask for this grant under this same proposal? Mr. Steffen replied that this is a one-time opportunity. You happen to have high unemployment rates and this program relates directly to building. Mr. Boarman said this is the first time since 1969 that there has been Federal funding for a program for city buildings. Mr. Drexler asked what is the acreage of the existing city hall. Mayor Cox replied, one acre for the present site, however, we did receive additional acres, through Councilman Reimann's suggestions, from a developer who owned the land and we will be building a maintenance storage building. Motion by Councilman Gorham, seconded by Councilman Reimann that the City Council authorize the Mayor and staff to sign all application papers to the EDA grant application for assistance in construction of the city hall and fire station. Carried 4 AYES Councilwoman Oliphant NAYE Motion by Councilman Gorham, seconded by Reimann that the project area is to include' the communities of Anoka County North of State Highway No. 242. Carried 4 AYES Councilwoman Oliphant NAYE M_otion by Councilwoman Oliphant to adjourn the meeting and continue it until a future date. Notion died for lack of second. Councilman Gorham presented the contract between Mr. Nereson and the City of Ramsey.