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Case #8: <br /> <br />Authorization to Accept and Execute Metropolitan Livable Communities <br />Grant <br /> <br />Principal Planner Trudgeon stated that in July 2002, the City of Ramsey applied for a Livable <br />Communities Grant from the Metropolitan Council to assist in the funding of the Sunwood Drive <br />extension through the proposed Ramsey Town Center. At the February 25, 2003 City Council <br />meeting, the Council tabled action on accepting the grant in order to determine the obligation of <br />the City for accepting the grant for construction of a road on property that is not currently owned <br />by the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Trudgeon offered the following options: <br /> <br />1) <br /> <br />2) <br /> <br />3) <br /> <br />4) <br /> <br />Accept grant and enter into the agreement, but not incur any costs for the project until the <br />land necessary for the road is deeded over to the City. <br />Accept grant and enter into the agreement, and also start negotiations with the property <br />owners to purchase the land necessary for the road. As an alternative, the City could <br />begin negotiations with the landowners and not accept the grant until the negotiations are <br />complete. <br />Accept grant and enter into the agreement and begin condemnation proceedings to <br />acquire the necessary land for the road. As an alternative, the City could begin <br />condemnation proceedings and not accept the grant until the negotiations are complete. <br />Table action on the grant at this time and instruct City Attorney Goodrich and City Staff <br />to meet with Metropolitan Council legal and contract administration staff to determine <br />the obligations of the City on entering into the grant agreement without the City having <br />possession of the necessary land to construct the new Sunwood Drive. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec and Councilmember Zimmerman stated that they would leave in favor #4. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook inquired as to why the Council would not accept the grant and just not <br />incur any costs until the land is acquired by the Ramsey Town Center LLC group. <br /> <br />Councihnember Kurak stated that if the Council accepts a grant for a road to go through only for <br />Town Center, where is the City at risk if they don't spend any money until the land is acquired. <br />She questioned if the City was risking losing the grant by delaying the issue because she would <br />hate for the City to lose $850,000. <br /> <br />Councihnember Cook stated that if the Council is saying that they are for the Town Center and <br />they have a developer looking at breaking ground this summer and the project is dependent on <br />Sunwood Drive, then why would the Council be saying that they would not be installing the road. <br /> <br />Councihnember Kurak stated that she was concerned about the "waffling effect" of not accepting <br />a grant when Town Center is a reality. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig replied that he did not think that they were "waffling", but felt that they <br />were moving forward slowly. At this point, the City does not have the ability to enter onto the <br /> <br />City Council/March 11, 2003 <br /> Page 14 of 23 <br /> <br /> <br />