Minutes - Public Works Committee - 05/20/2003

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being held liable, and the City not having any liability to cover the feasibility study by drafting a contract with the City Attorney, and contacting the MPCA regarding lead contamination standards. On February 1 I, 2003, the City Council received a resolution from the Attorney that the Council did not ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to proceed with the authorization of the feasibility study at the Developer's request. On February 18, 2003, Oakwood Land Development and John Rowe resubmitted their request for the extension of urban services a nd have agreed in writing as part of their petition to finance the preparation of the feasibility study. On February 25, 2003, the Public Works Committee made a motion to table action for three months to allow the new members of City Council to get more familiar with this issue and the procedures of City government. Since the City of Ramsey is not financially liable for the costs to prepare this feasibility study, Staff recommends allowing the study to be prepared to analyze if it is not financially feasible to extend urban services to these properties. Councihnember Zimmerman stated that his concern is that the request goes beyond the MUSA area and until they have some consensus as to why they should go beyond the MUSA when they are trying to develop other areas of the City they are getting into a gray area. Councilmen~ber Pearson stated that he did understand why they would not authorize the study since the developer would be paying for the entire study. Councihnember Zimmerman stated that the issue of lead contamination could be a liability issue for the City. Councihnember Cook replied that the reason to check for lead was to determine if it was feasible to develop the gun club but he did not think it was an issue for extending services. Councilmember Strommen stated that lead contamination is an issue if there is going to be digging on the property. Councilmember Kurak stated that it was her understanding that the original proposal for the lead contamination issue was minimal. Principal City Engineer Olson explained that the lead contamination study would be a phase I study. Councilmember Elvig noted that shooting at the gun club does not occur as far over as where the proposed line would be. Councihnember Cook stated that Mr. Bauer was included, as part of the original application, but removing his name from the application would not prohibit him from developing his property if the pipe is extended past their property or any other piece of property. Principal City Engineer Olson replied that that was correct, which is the same with any parcel adjacent to City services. Public Works Committee/May 20, 2003 Page 10 of 20