Minutes - Council - 05/19/1981 - Special Airport Study

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Alvin Sholbetter~ Bisson Streeti stated'he'is a pilot'and works in~GoldenValley and flys out of Gateway North now. Even if a newairport~wera to come in, jets wouldn't be able to get in and out. Mayor Gamec stated industrial business is~ needed here and we'will encourage it. The City is going through a lot of changes'now. As a.member~of the City Council I Would not encourage an airport on thei. General Mills property and will encourage General Mills development to~ encourage jobs and utilize the property to its highest use. Mayor Gamec thanked the citizens for the Orderly fashion im which their concerns were presented. Mayor Gamec made'the following'motion: Motion by Mayor Gamec and seconded by Councilwoman Van Wagner'tomove the City Council at this time dispose of future plans for a city airport and if in the future the City of Ramsey would ever'consider'an airport the Council would appoint a seYen person committee to look into the pros and cons of an airport. Discussion: Mayor Gamec stated Ramsey needS industry andtaxes have brought up front money for operating. It is now neceSSary for the city to look at future growth and industry. Councilman Cox stated he does not feel this motion is appropriate at this time for many reasons. The Economic Development Committee'and. by'directive of the City Council should proceed in discussing the airport. He Stated we shouldn't waste time on this issue without all the answers necessary to make a decision. He stated in 1970 the tax assessed on a property payable in 1971 for a residence were $549 whereas the businessman in 1970 Paid $967. In i980 that same residence assessed tax is $395 whereas the businessman is taxed at $2,134. This is 440% more. He asked for accountability on the'part of the residents of the City of Ramsey. He stated the City of~Ramsey needs industry and the residents want to take from industry for fire Protection, policeProtection, education and assume none of the tax burden. He statedthe citizens should contact their state representative, John Clawson and ask him why he doesn't support local aids for the City of Ramsey. He further stated we are a repre- sentative government and that meanscall the Council members when you want your opinion considered. The Council is careful about how it spends citizen money. At present the businessman pays 5.7 times more than the resident in Ramsey. Councilman Cox asked Mr. Roger Buchanan if General Mills developed their property commercially would that be alright with him. Mr. Buchanan stated controlled industry is and would invite General Mills to the City of Ramsey. He does not object to that type Of industry. Councilman Cox stated it is very important that the City Council go over this issue before it has any motions on it and discuss it thoroughlY. Tom Knutson, 17400 Baugh Street says his taxes are higher than they ever have been and Ramsey has the highest mill rate and assessed value of any one in the County. He further stated the businessmen in Ramsey make an income here and the residents are simply paying to live here. AIRPORT~EETING May 19, 1981 5