Minutes - Council - 06/14/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Further discussion: Mayor Strommen stated that it is nice to see these projects moving on to completion and commended staff for their efforts. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers Kuzma, Riley, Johns, LeTourneau, Shryock, and Williams. Voting No: None. 7.03: Future Business Park (Right of First Refusal Agreement to Purchase Real Estate) Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reviewed the staff report and recommendation to approve the Right of First Refusal Agreement to Purchase Real Estate. He noted that the agreement does not obligate the City to purchase the Pearson property and the agreement has no cash expense to the City but would simply provide the City with an opportunity to purchase the property. Councilmember Williams stated that there was robust discussion at the Economic Development Authority (EDA) regarding the parcel and the role that the parcel could play in development of the business park. She stated that the EDA determined that it is in the best interest of the City for the parcel to be included in the business park and the EDA supports the option to protect the investments and plan that has been put forth in the planning for the business park. She noted that the EDA does not necessarily support the purchase of the property but believes that this option will allow the City additional opportunity. Councilmember Riley stated that he was the descending vote on this matter for the EDA. He stated that while he believes that this parcel would be a good fit for the business park, he also believes that the City owns too much land already and would not support the purchase of additional land. Councilmember LeTourneau asked if the EDA will explore the unanswered questions in the next six months to explore additional options. Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama stated that during the next five months the City will attempt to pursue and facilitate a third party purchase of the property. He stated that the proposed developments for the neighboring parcel will answer questions for the City's process as well. He stated that the other unanswered question would be what the property owner would do if a third party attempts to purchase the property for another use. Councilmember Williams provided additional considerations that would be weighed if there were an outside offer made on the property during the next six months. Councilmember LeTourneau appreciated the comments made and stated that while there is an understanding that the City has an inventory of property that the City would not necessarily want to add to, he also did not want to see the purchase of the property taken off the table. He stated that the City has a positive history of purchasing land for this type of development and believed that could be a successful option. City Council / June 14, 2016 Page7of10