Minutes - Council - 07/10/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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redevelopment over several years. The EDA has been able to accomplish a lot with willing seller situations; it is unfortunate that does not work in every case. It appears with two of these cases lumped together that eminent domain is the common tool that is used, but if you look in this larger area it does not happen in the majority of cases, and some of the businesses have relocated in Ramsey. Mayor Gamec pointed out that the City lost a major business that had been in the City for several years with a beautiful building because of the clean up needed to the south of them. There were properties in the City with trees growing through vehicles and busted septic systems. Harbor Industries and a couple of others have been happy with the way a lot of properties have been cleaned up, and there has been excellent businesses brought in that are very happy with the City. This is a transition, the same as it is with housing, and they probably hear more complaints about this than housing. Most of the people here are very happy with some of the things taking place. Councilmember Dehen sated he thinks the abatement program is good, and it is good that the City gets going on cleaning up some of the areas. But he thinks they should do more as a City to keep some of these businesses here; maybe they are doing as good as they can. He thinks it is a concern to have a business leave; they should do all they can to keep these businesses here and it can be a win/win for everyone. Councilmember Elvig pointed out that it was a large concern of Target if they were going to come to the City that the surrounding properties needed to be cleaned up before they would move to town. What may look like a loss of business could also be a big opportunity with businesses that would love to move here, but it looks shabby. Clean up is not a bad thing. He is sensitive to how it is done, and would never want to lose a business ifat all possible. Councilmember Look stated they should be fair, especially when talking about Sparkle Pool. There are no trees growing through vehicles or a busted septic system, and Target was not proposed to be placed near them. This is a small business owner with a seasonal business who probably does not have a lot of overhead and have the ability to afford a new facility. The City is forcing this business owner into a situation where it will be difficult to make ends meet to support a new facility, and he does not think that is the role of the City. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Jeffrey, to authorize the City's legal Counsel to enter into the Stipulation of Final Settlement on behalf of the City which settlement will be in the form of the document attached to the City Council case and reviewed by the Council on July 10, 2007. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Jeffrey, Dehen, Olson, and Strommen. Voting No: Councilmember Look. Case #5: Consider Assignment of Lease for Property at 6101 Highway 10 (Ralph's Gun and Pawn) City Attorney Goodrich reviewed that the City has purchased the property at 6101 Highway 10, known as Ralph's Gun and Pawn through the RALF Funds Program. The City executed a lease with C.R. Foods, Inc. on April 24, 2006. On July 1, 2007, the business of Ralph's Gun and City Council / July 10,2007 Page 11 of 24