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Oakwood Land or 'Brookfield'_Property: 22 acres of property west of Co. Rd. #5 paralleling the <br />south side of Trott Brook for approximately 3A mile. Property is a mix of treed slopes, upland <br />and wetland; and is suitable for an east/west bituminous trail. Acquisition would be a <br />Conservation and Trail Easement for public use; appraised value - $76,400. This appraisal is <br />about eight months old. Staff has ordered an update of the appraisal, which should be completed <br />by the morning of March 28th. It is anticipated that the appraisal amount will be higher. <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood indicated the funding source for these acquisitions would <br />be solely LCMR funds, including ail real-estate transaction costs, which will be between <br />approximately $500 to $5,000 per parcel. The initial goal was to protect about 40 to 60 acres <br />along Trott Brook for conservation. These parcel acquisitions will exceed 54 acres, and the City <br />will have met their goal with less funds than was estimated. Mr. Riverblood stated there are <br />property owners on the south side of Trott Brook that own 32 acres that have considered this <br />easement. Staff has initiated contact with them, and will meet with them within a week or two. <br />That easement may move forward; that original appraisal was $118,000, but due to the time <br />since that appraisal it may now be closer to $180,000. If that acquisition were to be added to the <br />three acquisitions being discussed tonight, it would double their stated goals of land conservation <br />along Trott Brook. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig questioned why the values for these parcels do not seem to be consistent. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood replied there are a number of variables with the properties, such as the upland <br />area on each parcel. In the case of the Harstad property, the parcel connects to a landlocked trail <br />corridor. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen expressed concern with possible future development butting up <br />against the Brookfield easement. She questioned if there will be provisions to notify <br />homeowners about the easement. She inquired if any funds will be available to monitor and <br />clean up any problems related to encroachment into the easement. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood replied the conservation easement language states that the City may or shall <br />place signs denoting the easement. There is a lot of detail outlining what is allowed in the <br />easement. For instance the composting of yard waste is not permitted. The easements run with <br />the land, and are recorded as part of the mortgage. In the case of the property that may see <br />subdivisions, the easements will mn with the land and the landowner will see there is an <br />easement before purchasing the property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen questioned how to be certain that the property owners are aware of <br />the easement restrictions. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood replied in addition to the signs, the property owners could periodically be <br />reminded. Also, it is likely if an individual is not aware of the easement; the neighbors will be <br />aware and will hopefully police the easements. He explained the LCMR funds can only be used <br />for property acquisition. <br /> <br />-66- <br /> <br />City Council / March 14, 2006 <br /> Page 8 of 25 <br /> <br /> <br />