Minutes - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2007

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inclined to gain some land that will potentially make his property more valuable, and he did not gather that Mr. Hendrickson had a strong opposition to this, and that there is not anyone else that has indicated they are strongly opposed to this, he is interested in moving this along without too much other red tape if possible. Motion by Councilmember Dehen, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to recommend to the City Council that the two contingencies regarding the appraisal supporting the offered purchase price and the traffic study being favorable to the Neon Street connection have been satisfied, and that staff be directed to close on the purchase of the property, and that plans be prepared for the relocation of the structure. Further discussion: Councilmember Olson asked if there is a closing date set on the property. City Engineer Jankowski replied he will determine whether a closing date has been set. Councilmember Olson asl(ed if relocation of the house is still being considered. City Engineer Jankowsl(i responded in the affirmative. He indicated he would envision that this road would go through when 158th Avenue is constructed with the subdivision. From that standpoint it would be good to have the house gone prior to that. They should begin lool(ing into the purchase of a lot nearby while they are still available. Councilmember Olson expressed concern regarding the value of the house after it is relocated. She stated to relocate the house, put it on a new foundation and sell it, a lot of the value of the house is in the lower level; it's a wall(out rambler and the lower level is completely finished. To sell the house after it has been relocated they would need a wall(out lot, would need to finish the lower level, would have to do all of the utilities, and then would have to sell it as a house that has been moved, which is something a lot of people do not want anything to do with. She stated by the time all the costs are added up she does not thinl( it is worth their while. Chairperson Elvig questioned what the alternative would be. Councilmember Olson suggested selling the house to a mover. Chairperson Elvig pointed out the possibility of an organization like Habitat for Humanity taking the house over. City Engineer Jankowsl(i indicated he did receive a bid from a mover to purchase the house for a couple thousand dollars. Councilmember Dehen questioned why the basement would need to be finished prior to selling the home. Councilmember Olson replied it would not be required, but once they determine the costs involved with relocating the house and assembling it on a new lot it may not be worth what the sales price would likely be. Councilmember Dehen asked if any of the three available lots in the nearby area are wall(outs. City Engineer Janl(owsl(i replied at least one of the lots is a wall(out; all three lots are in the Alpine Woods subdivision. Councilmember Olson stated her point is that before proceeding, they need to determine how much will be invested in the house compared to the likely sales price. Chairperson Elvig observed they do not have the details of how the existing home will be handled with the relocation or the bottom line of what his project will cost. The parameters of the cost could be plus or minus $100,000. Chairperson Elvig stated in addition to the motion, staff should be directed to begin doing a worl(up of the costs involved with relocating the house. Further discussion: Chairperson Elvig requested information regarding the obligation of the development to the south, and whether it was approved contingent on the access. City Engineer Jankowski replied the connection was not specifically addressed in the development agreement, but there was discussion in the minutes about the desire on the part of the City to have the Public Works Committee / March 20, 2007 Page 7 of 14