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

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Mayor Strommen stated that this agreement will provide a preservation of options and the investment in the planning for the business park. She noted that if another vehicle comes along the City could support that but if that vehicle does not come along, this would provide the City with options. Motion by Councilmember LeTourneau, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the Right of First Refusal Agreement to Purchase Real Estate, subject to review and amendments by the City Attorney. Further discussion: Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he appreciates the efforts of staff, the EDA and the landowner. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers LeTourneau, Williams, Johns, Kuzma, and Shryock. Voting No: Councilmember Riley. 7.04: Consider Authorizing Work Order for WSB to Assist with Shovel Ready Certification Process Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reviewed the staff report and recommendation for the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and City Council to authorize the work as proposed by WSB, noting that this work will nearly complete the development ready certification process for City owned land. He noted that outside of obtaining a shovel ready status for City owned property, the City will also receive the benefit of MN DEED marketing efforts, which explicitly advertise DEED Shovel Ready Certified properties at a local and national level. Councilmember Riley stated that the EDA also reviewed this item. He noted that this item has been included in the work plan and strategic plan and advised that these are necessary steps to make the properties ready to go and remove unknowns for buyers. He stated that because this process will assist in getting these properties back onto the tax roll, the EDA supports this action. He noted that WSB is a consultant of the City and therefore the EDA is comfortable with that firm. Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama stated that one of the parcels looking for certification is the future business park. He stated that it would be logical to add that project to the shovel ready list through this process. He noted that Hagman Holdings is willing to cost -share 50 percent of the City's cost, outside of the amount Connexus would be paying. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that this reminds him of the Armstrong overpass project as that was not believed to be able to move forward but the shovel ready aspects assisted in moving that project forward and therefore he would support this item. Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama stated that there are projects within The COR that are outside of the standard shovel ready aspect and noted that in the future, staff will bring forward a similar idea that will provide conceptual design and budget for the higher level improvements within The COR. City Council / June 14, 2016 Page 8 of 10