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<br />Councilmember Woestehoff agreed and asked if they would be off the City’s tax roll. <br /> <br />Economic Development Manager Sullivan confirmed this. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley replied to Councilmember Specht’s comments that if this was going to help <br />a Ramsey business and help them stay there. He stated if that was the case he could feel differently <br />but he had heard that the business doesn’t choose to stay but is looking for a fair buy-out. He <br />stated if they were doing this to save a business that wanted to be there and keep their location he <br />thought it could change his mind but that isn’t what they want. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht replied that was good for him to know. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove replied to Councilmember Riley’s question and stated the EZ Auto <br />property isn’t RALF property she asked if that was what was being referred to, that business owner <br />or was he referring to the City RALF properties. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley replied he was referring to the EZ Auto property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove commented according to the map, that is a whole different framework <br />because it isn’t in the City RALF property acquisition. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley replied that is what they are discussing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht added it is why they had to buy them out in millions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff clarified the discussion is to buy the red property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove replied her thought was that it wasn’t needed for the highway so it <br />wasn’t continuing. She stated she thought they were talking about just extending the road through <br />the RALF projects, not necessarily a buy-out. <br /> <br />Mayor Kuzma asked if Council isn’t able to come to a reasonable amount, can they not just take <br />it. <br /> <br />Mr. Orcutt replied that is correct, they could use eminent domain on that. He stated what is being <br />decided tonight is whether Council choses to not extend the road they are buying all those <br />properties, the business and the ten tenants. He stated that is what they are deciding, he just wanted <br />to bring this forward. He stated he respects the City as a partner and want to do what is best but it <br />also warrants discussion because what they are taking on is big. He stated he agreed that both <br />sides want what is fair and reasonable but it is sometimes hard to get there. He stated at the same <br />time they are showing that an extension would allow this. He agreed with Economic Development <br />Manager Sullivan that if the loan says they have to sell it at market value, it is whatever market <br />value is and he would hold strong to that as well because if that is the way the loan is written it is <br />literal not for interpretation. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session /July 26, 2022 <br />Page 6 of 19 <br /> <br />