Laserfiche WebLink
Councihnember Elvig stated that it was a difficult issue for him because he felt that it was an <br />issue of the "cart before the horse". He explained that if he were to receive a deposit on a project <br />without knowing the scope of the project and not knowing if he could fulfill the needs of the <br />project he would be hesitant on taking the deposit. The City does not have clear ownership on <br />the property to receive funds. He understood that things are moving swiftly and would like it to <br />continue to do so, but he was concerned that accepting the grant will obligate the City to spend <br />money on the road and that it could reduce their negotiating power with the Town Center <br />developer. <br /> <br />Councihnember Zimmerman stated that he did not think that until they received an agreement <br />fi'om the property owner that they City will be able to obtain the actual right of way he did not <br />think they needed to go to the next step. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he questions what the Met Council will want for the <br />$800,000. He inquired if the City would be required to establish a certain number of low-income <br />houses if they accept the grant. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied that the grant is solely for the construction of Sunwood Drive to assist the <br />City in moving forward with the Town Center project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated that the City already has the smart growth gu'ant to plan for the <br />Town Center, which is why the Met Council is providing added funds to construct the road. The <br />City is already looking at placing the town center on the property and the City has formed some <br />sort of an agreement with the developer to fund the City's needs until they have an actual <br />development agreement in place. He felt that it was time for the City to show a good faith effort <br />and accept the grant to help supply the major road in the development. <br /> <br />Councihnember Zimmerman inquired as to when the grant expired. <br /> <br />Principal Planner Trudgeon replied that the grant expires on December 31, 2004. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she does not want assumptions made on the part of the <br />developer that if the City accepts the grant that the City will construct the road. <br /> <br />Councilmember Pearson stated that he would like to move ahead with accepting the grant, but <br />before any grant money is spent he would like to have some type of documentation in place <br />identifying that the City will own the road or does own the road. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich noted that the terms of the grant are very easy for the City to comply <br />with because essentially the City set the terms. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kurak stated that any time they do a development in the City of Ramsey, they <br />almost always have a preliminary plat approved before ownership changes hands. She did not <br />think it would be good fiscally for the City to turn down $850,000. If that property does not <br /> <br />City Council/April 8, 2003 <br /> Page 7 of 17 <br /> <br /> <br />