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possible purchase of the road easement. The Council needs to discuss the matter of whether the <br />City would purchase the easement, in which case the motion would be to begin negotiations to <br />purchase the easement. Condemnation authorization would also be needed for the case that it is <br />needed. <br /> <br />Lori Kaas, 7155 - 160th Lane NW, stated she is representing herself and her husband. She <br />questioned i f they are not actually discussing numbers tonight. She stated they thought the figure <br />of $1,700 was an insult, as wooded acreage hardly exists. She questioned why it would be in the <br />public's interest to use approximately $40,000 for the driveway of one house. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated it would be in the public's interest because the City would own that <br />easement. There is ghost mapping for several houses on Mr. Bauer's property if he ever decides <br />to develop it, and with the purchase of the property the City would have a road easement for <br />future roads going to the east. <br /> <br />Councihnember Strommen indicated the question the Council has to wrestle with is if this would <br />be in the public interest or not. <br /> <br />Mrs. Kaas stated their house sits at an angle on the cul-de-sac and faces the cul-de-sac as opposed <br />to other houses that face the road. This road would go almost through their garage, and it would <br />severely damage their property value. It would be so close they would have to tear down their <br />garage. This is very personal for them, it would destroy their property value and their privacy, <br />and they are hoping this purchase does not go through. She understands the Council has to view <br />the bigger picture, but she would ask that they consider the implications to them. <br /> <br />Richard Taylor, 7167 - 159th Lane NW, stated he has been a Ramsey resident for 32 years. Mr. <br />Bauer is building right behind him and he walked to the end of his property to view this. He <br />stated he cannot see a road going in this location. <br /> <br />Steve Dusbabek, 7191 - 160th Lane NW, stated his position is a little different. They have a <br />situation that has already taken place and there is damage to the property. They can either be <br />paid restitution for the damage of the trees or the City can purchase the easement for a permanent <br />road for Mr. Bauer's access. His position is if this does not take place, Mr. Bauer will be forced <br />to put a road in right behind his property. He is already affected on one side and does not want to <br />be affected on two sides. He asks that the Council make the decision to follow through with this <br />and commit to the resolution. This has been going on for six months and it needs to come to <br />term. If they can get this resolved with the easement purchase he would only be impacted on one <br />side, but he does not know if the time frame is long enough for them to do that. They have <br />wasted six n]onths and it should not take this long to bring this to resolution. It took eight weeks <br />or better to get an appraisal and now they are on a constricted time frame. He is asking that the <br />Council make a decision one way or another. <br /> <br />Councihnember Kurak extended her apologies to the property owners and explained this was an <br />error made honestly. She indicated she had a discussion today with Mrs. Kaas and her husband, <br />and she discussed an idea with Councilmember Zimmerman. She also discussed this with <br /> <br />City Council/July 27, 2004 <br />Page 12 of 35 <br /> <br /> <br />