Agenda - Council - 06/27/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion by Councilmember Shryock, seconded by Councilmember Johns, to Adopt Resolution #17-06-140 Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for Improvement Project #17-01 Alpine Drive Reconstruction. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers Shryock, Johns, Kuzma, LeTourneau, Riley, and Williams. Voting No: None. 7.09: Consider Maple Investments LLC (dba Sharp and Associates) Purchase Agreement (portions of the case may be closed to the public) Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reviewed the staff report and recommendation to consider the purchase agreement between the City of Ramsey and Maple Investments LLC for 9.33 acres of City owned land. Councilmember Williams stated that she did have concerns when this was reviewed at the EDA and appreciated the outline of her concerns in the packet. She commented that this is not the same structure the last time a purchase agreement was negotiated for this site. She stated that this proposal is lower than the original asking price and does not have the incentives aligning in the same manner. She believed that half of the proposal is a speculative development and she felt that the City is incentivizing and subsidizing the development. She stated that she would not support the request. Councilmember Riley stated that he has a different perspective, noting that this is a completely different deal with a different user and purchaser. He stated that this is within the deal range and there are some issues with the land. He noted that this is a quality user in the City that has done this exact thing repeatedly. He stated that there is surety that the first building will come with hope for a second building. He noted that this deal will feel different because it is different. Councilmember LeTourneau appreciates the input from both Councilmembers Williams and Riley. He stated that it brings him back to the comment that the asking price is within the deal range and meets the other obligation of the arrangement to sell land. He agreed that Mr. Sharp is a known commodity in the community and has success with great projects. He stated that this seems like a very reasonable thing to do. Councilmember Riley asked the amount of TIF or business subsidy being provided. Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama stated that there is not explicit assistance being provided to the project. He stated that this property was never officially listed with CBRE and therefore the deal range was not adopted and therefore staff made similar assumptions for the property. Councilmember Williams noted that this property was never marketed and offered to the general public. She believed that this is a reduction to the potential selling price because it has not been actively marketed. City Council / June 13, 2017 Page 13 of 15