Minutes - Council Work Session - 05/10/2016

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Mayor Strommen stated that the City has a lot of area and not all of that can be mowed. She commented on the high level of water consumption, especially when living on the sand plain. She believed that it would be beneficial for the City to do their part in the protection of pollinators. Councilmember Kuzma asked if there is information on the website and if people could call into City Hall to have someone come out to their property and assist. City Planner Anderson stated that the City does not currently have anything on the website advertising any of the programs that are available. Mayor Strommen stated that she would not want to create a lot of additional work for staff. She stated that the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) and Parks and Recreation Commission could work to develop resources that could be posted on the website. Councilmember Shryock stated that there are a lot of great websites out there and agreed that it would be beneficial for the City to develop a list of links to those appropriate sources. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that one part of the Mayors for Monarchs program is to have a demonstration project and citizen science component. He noted that there is already a consortium of entities that provide the information and the City could simply provide the link to those organizations. The consensus of the Council was to forward the Mayors to Monarchs program to the Environmental Policy Board and the Parks and Recreation Commission. 2.04: Future Business Park Update (Portions of this case may be closed to the public) Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reviewed the staff report. Mayor Strommen asked if the Council is comfortable with the recommendation from the EDA or whether the Council would like staff to investigate additional options. Councilmember Kuzma referenced the possibility of purchasing the Pearson property and leasing it back and asked for additional information. Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama stated that staff has not researched any of the alternatives, noting that staff has not yet discussed that option with Mr. Pearson. He noted that if Mr. Pearson was interested, the City could investigate the possibility of purchasing the property and leasing it back to Mr. Pearson for farming which would allow the property to remain in the tax roll. Councilmember Riley stated that the tax rate would be for agricultural undeveloped land, which he would not think would be very much. He noted that 25 acres of the business park land is developable right now and therefore that would provide the City with some time. City Council Work Session / May 10, 2016 Page 4 of 6