Laserfiche WebLink
<br />parcels without going through the eminent domain process. However, should the City get to the <br />point where they have most of the parcels and need a few they will have the eminent domain <br />strength behind them to move ahead and consummate the project. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich advised the court signed the condemnation order on October 24 and <br />within that order the City has 270 days to consummate the project. What will happen within <br />those 270 days is that the City will attempt to negotiate the purchase with the various property <br />owners. At this time the City does not have the signed agreement from Robert Muir Company so <br />they do not have the needed funds to do that, but they are attempting to sign purchase agreements <br />and will be starting that now. Secondly, the court appointed commissioners that will convene <br />and hold hearings. At the hearings, appraisals will be presented from the City and landowner <br />standpoint, and the commissioners will make a decision on the amount of damages. If the <br />landowners or the City disagree, that award can be appealed to District Court. This would take <br />longer than the 270 day framework, but the City would have access to the properties within that <br />270 day period. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated from a health, safety and welfare standpoint, he is not sure what this <br />redevelopment has to do with safety, nor necessarily for heath. But he does not see that some of <br />these properties are being managed in a healthy element. Regarding the welfare, the citizens will <br />gain a tremendous amount of commerce by the redevelopment of this project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he believes this is a good project, but he believes there are right <br />ways of doing things and wrong ways of doing things. His concern is the effort to utilize <br />eminent domain laws, which have changed. If the City is willing to exercise eminent domain <br />laws according to the current law, he will be in favor of it. He believes these people have a right <br />to their property as the state legislature saw fit. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig commented the reason for the 270 days is to work out an amicable <br />agreement with the property owners so they do not have to use eminent domain. There has been <br />a lot of success in buying these properties on a willing basis. He requested input from Mr. <br />Lasher regarding the status of the property acquisitions. <br /> <br />Mr. Lasher replied to date the City has not approached all the property owners. Robert Muir <br />Company has approached a number of the property owners and successfully executed purchase <br />agreements with them that he is now signing over to the City. Until the City gets the fully <br />executed development agreement and preliminary plat they want to hold off before they get out <br />in front too far, in order to be sure the developer is coming along with them. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to adopt Resolution #07- <br />01-011 adopting the Redevelopment Plan for Ramsey Crossings. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated following the City Council meeting the <br />HRA will convene to take up the same resolution. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Olson, Dehen, Jeffrey, and <br />Strommen. Voting No: Councilmember Look. <br /> <br />City Council / January 9, 2007 <br />Page 8 of 24 <br />