Minutes - Council - 10/23/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Look stated that he does not like the idea of subsidizing anything but asked if there would be any storm water issues after this lot is paved. Assistant City Administrator Nelson stated that she wanted to clarify that the City contacted the business owner because staff had been directed by the City Council to clean up the Highway 10 corridor. She stated that this is an unpaved area that is being used for overflow parking and stated that staff was looking to encourage the businesses to get an approved surface and the City will assist in getting this up to standards. She stated that another option would be to fence around the property, which she does not feel improves the image of Highway 10. Councilmember Dehen stated that he appreciates staff efforts to clean things up along Highway 10 but asked if any City vehicles were using this parking lot. He stated that the customers of Wells Catering and the Outpost are the ones using this parking lot and he stands by his earlier suggestion that the businesses should pay for the paving themselves. Councilmember Elvig stated that he understands why the City would want to clean this up, so he feels that the City should help start the process. He asked if the businesses were unwilling to pay the total amount. Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan stated that the initial discussions were directly with Wells Catering and the Outpost, but now it has moved to the owner of the real estate, Ramsey JR Partners who leases to the businesses. He stated that he made this tentative agreement with Ramsey JR Partners. Ms. Nelson stated that the City was not able to reach an agreement with Wells Catering and the Outpost because they basically tol~ the City to go ahead and put up a fence. Councilmember Dehen stated that he does not feel this is a blighted property that needs the City to step in and clean up. Councilmember Elvig stated that by the City standards, this property is blighted. Councilmember Dehen questioned whether the City would go all along Highway 10 and pave every RALF property that it owns. Councilmember Olson stated that people are already using this lot for parking. Councilmember Dehen stated that he sees this as a business that is using City property for parking. Councilmember Elvig stated that it would cost the City more to fence around this property than to help pay for the paving. Councilmember Olson stated that she feels it would be a good will gesture to go ahead and pay $1,000 towards the paving costs. Councilmember Elvig asked if the City could use RALF funds for paving. City Council /October 23, 2007 Page 18 of21