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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 15, 20134 <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> indicated TCAAP may have a great deal of expenses in 2014. She <br />supported a budget with more than a two percent increase. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner <br /> was in favor of a budget somewhere between zero and two percent. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> agreed with a two percent increase in the budget. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> directed staff to proceed with the 2014 budget with a working number of a two <br />percent tax levy increase and that the Council will discuss the issue at future work session <br />meetings. <br /> <br /> <br />D.Tax Forfeited Property at 3208 Hamline Avenue North <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher <br />explained on December 10, 2012, the Council <br />approved a resolution requesting Ramsey County to withhold tax-forfeited land located at 3208 <br />Hamline Avenue North from public auction while the City considered whether it should acquire <br />the property. Although cities could previously acquire tax-forfeited land for public open space at <br />no cost, cities now <br />conservation land. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher <br />indicated that Ramsey County has established a <br />conservation land purchase price of $500 plus $92.65 for fees and taxes. If the City moves <br />forward with the acquisition, staff recommends that a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment be <br />-month hold expires on June 16, <br />2013. Staff questioned if the Council wanted to see the site be used for open space or be made <br />available for private development. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> recommended the property be purchased and the Phase I Environmental <br />be completed. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> agreed with this suggestion as this site would be difficult to develop. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> was in favor of purchasing the parcel but did not feel the Phase I <br />Environmental was necessary. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher <br /> explained the Phase I would protect the City <br />and provide information on how the site was used in the past. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br />considered the Phase I part of the purchase costs and noted the environmental study <br />would provide the City with some assurance that the site does not have environmental issues. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner <br /> asked if the parcel would have any future maintenance expenses. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Maurer <br /> estimated the only expenses to be future tree trimming as the <br />parcel would be a natural open space. <br /> <br />