Agenda - Council Work Session - 08/23/2016

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(4)Demolition &Site Cleanup, budget:the attached Sources & Uses Document outlines a budget for the demolition and clean up of the former municipal center site($371K). At this point, this budget is an estimate. There is a case on the Council agenda tonight to advertise for bids--for the final phase of the redevelopment project--which is expected to be the most expensive phase. (5)Demolition &Site Cleanup,Land Swap:attached Sources & Uses Document outlines a budget for a land swap with Meadow Creek Builders. In summary,the City swapped a small, single-lot,property located on the east side of the municipal center campus in exchange for a single lot property located on the west side of the former municipal center campus. The City requested the land swap with Meadow Creek. The property the City picked up from Meadow Creek will allow the City to maintain control over various infrastructure lines,keep the option open for a potential vehicle access to Nowthen Boulevard, allow for a trail connection to Nowthen Boulevard,preserve an "open space", and allow the City to potentially consider a park/trail improvement in the future. This land swap did obligate the City to restore the lot we sold(or swapped)to a buildable condition--which means completing the curb/gutter/sidewalk/demolishing the existing temporary driveway. That work is estimated at just less than$10,000. (6)Fire Station #2, update:Fire Station 42 opened in April 2016, as planned in the original construction contracts. Overall,it's a great project(anesthetically and functionally), and should come in under budget. With that in mind, staff is still(and the City Attorney)working with the architect and the general contractor to button up a handful of remnant issues/outstanding tasks related to this project. Staff hopes said work will be completed in August--and the project will be closed out in September. Once the project is closed out, still will provide a detailed recap for Council review. (7)Fire Station #2,funding:Fire Station 92 was funded via General Obligation(GO)bonds. At this point, staff is not suggesting a new/replacement funding source is needed. It should be noted,if the actual costs of construction come in lower than what was budgeted, said savings would be applied to debt service payments for Fire Station 92. (bond payments). (8)Anoka County HRA/EDA Account:annually,Anoka County levies dollars on behalf of the City of Ramsey for the purpose of providing funding for housing,redevelopment, and economic development projects. The City's ACHRA account balance is roughly$1,000,000.Previously(2012-2014), the ACHRA account was informally identified as a potential funding source for the demolition/site clean up of the former municipal center.No formal/final action was taken by the Council on this item. (9)Neighborhood Park:since the discussion of the former municipal center campus began in 2011,the desire of a park amenity has been periodically requested by the surrounding neighborhood. Through 2015, the position of the City (and staff)has been that a neighborhood park is not planned for the former municipal center campus--and that the City is focusing on larger regional parks. If the Council is interested in pursing a park amenity for this neighborhood, staff would recommend use of land proceeds as a funding source. Timeframe: 10-30 minutes Funding Source: NA Responsible Party(ies): Patrick Brama Outcome: