Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 12/10/1987

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Notion by Councilmember Cox and-seconded by Councilmember Pearson to discontinue the sewer and water project south of Rwy. ~10 amd dismiss current condemnation action. Further Discussion: Councilmember Co:~ stated that this motion will give everybody a chance to think about the project and if there is a desire to proceed, it can be brought to Council again in the future. Mr. Goodrich stated that Randy Elofson has indicaed that if the cry doesn't offer $25,000/acre, he will withdraw his previous indication to accept $25,000/acre and seek the highest amount he can get. Councilmember DeLuca stated that if this motion passes, it will do the city a disservice with respect to future development in Ramsey; delaying the project will delay a good deal of tax increment that could be generated for the city; the action in this most could end up costing the city as much or more as paying for easements would have. Councilmember Cox stated that none of the councilmembers had a problem with taking an extra 7 feet from Mr. Dubats for 138th right-of-way this evening; if easements are purchased in this case, then the city better budget a certain amount of funds in the future for purchasing easements. Councilmember Sorteberg stated that the appraisor's value of S25,000/acre is close to the $23,000+/acre reflected in information gathered by Mr. Goodrich which applies to improved lots; deducting the $5,000/acre it cost~ to improve a lot brings the value down to $18,000 which is more realistic for raw lando Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Reimann, Councilmembers $orteberg, Cox and Pearson. Voting No: Councilmember DeLuca. Mr. Holasek stated that Mr. Dubats let the City coerce him into donating the 7 foot of extra right-of-way in exchange for approval of the conditional use permit. Mr. Holasek stated that Councilmember Cox took an oath of office to uphold the laws; there would be no laws providing for condemnation if donating land was mandatory; the law recognizes that land for public purpose should be able to be gotten and used for that purpose; those laws also recognize the fact that property owners should be required to give up the land with no compensation. Mr. Holasek inquired if there has ever been a case in which Ramsey paid for right-of-way; if so, then based on Councitmember Cox' logic, all of those persons that have donated right-of-way should be reimbursed. Councilmember Cox stated that he doesn't know the particulars hut there might have been cases where the city :paid for right-of-ways; m~ny developers are'required to donate right-of-ways in their deve!opmen~s~ Mr. Holasek noted that nobody in this subject area was seeking to develop, Mmyor Reimann stated that Mr. Eolasek told him he would not take less than $50,O00/acre for the easements and he told Mr. ~olasek that it i~ good business for the city to try and get the job done for a little as possible. Mr. Ho!asek stated that :he citizens should be made aware of how much money the city spent on iegz! and engineering fees relsting to this road easement, only to vote ~he project down. City Council/November i0, i987 Page t0