Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/10/2001

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4) Mississippi West Regional Park Frontage System City Attorney Goodrich stated that in 1998, the County acquired fee title to the Huseby property by a warranty deed. He believed that the land was a donation and, in return for that, the Husebys required a declaration of protective covenants be placed on the property. Presently the property is labeled as a County park, but it is not a general use park. The County also, as part of that agreement, gave Mr. Huseby certain rights on the property, which included a life estate. Recently Mr. Huseby passed away, but Mrs. Huseby still lives on the property. Mr. Huseby had no interest in transferring anything to the City of Ramsey including a frontage road. The County Attorney does not have knowledge of Mrs. Huseby's position on the issue, but without her approval nothing could be done with a frontage road system without legal action. City Administrator Norman noted that in June 1987, the City formally proposed options to the County for the Huseby property. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired if a land swap had taken place as part of the deal. City Attorney Goodrich stated that Anoka County acquired the land and allowed a life estate for Mrs. Huseby, but there was nothing else in the public records. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired if the County needed approval from the City to site a park in the City of Ramsey. City Attorney Goodrich replied that they would not have needed approval if the zoning was correct. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that the zoning was not correct. He stated that he was told that in order to create the park they would have needed to receive approval from the City Council. City Attorney Goodrich inquired if Councilmember Hendriksen was saying that the proper approval was not done. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that it is his understanding that the City gave conditional approval based on criteria and those criteria have been ignored. He stated that the Met Council wants them to achieve certain goals and yet 300 acres is being taken from the City which would help achieve those goals. He suggested that the City Attorney talk to A1 Pearson and review the minutes of when the approval was given and the conditions that were placed on the approval. One of those conditions included an area for a frontage road system and the land adjacent to the frontage road, which he though was approximately 20 acres. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that his main concern is with the frontage road, because if they can't continue the frontage road then it will be a disruption of the entire frontage road system. City Council/July 10, 2001 Page 5 of 6