CC 01-28-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JAl\UARY 28, 2002 8 Councilmcmbcr Rem stated the Communications Committee is mccting on Wednesday morning. She noted this month's newslettcr is almost all on the Planning Commission's recent cases and issues. She added the back page has an article on Buckthorn removal. Councilmember Rem statcd that next month the newsletter would focus on the new City Hall. She noted they would mention the dedication. Councilmember Larson asked ifit were possible to put a box on the front pagc to put dates ofthc dedication and Day in the Park. Councilmcmber Rem respondcd they would consider it. Councihnember Rem noted thc non-agenda packet had a letter from Statc Farm Insurance with a check for $500 for the good neighbor program. She added it enclosed a list of associates who volunteered. She asked who was responsiblc for this and what fund this money goes into. Mr. Lynch rcspondcd Mr. Don Messerly is the individual responsible. He stated Mr. Mcsserly is a fonner State Farol employee. lIe noted the money goes into the Gencral Fund and would go to offset the park or recreation bndgets. He added they do not have a fund for parks. He statcd the donor requested it offset parks expenditures. Councill1lember Rem stated she hopcd the City had the namcs of the voluntcers and sent thank yous. She notcd the volunteer be able to indicated where the money goes. Mayor Probst noted the letter from Chesapeake Companies regarding its interest in purchasing thc rcmaining parcel at 96 and West Round Lake Road. Hc asked for consensus of the City Council with rcgard to pursuing those disCLlssions. lIe stated he thought it was worth pursuing. Councilmember Larson statcd he did not know what an appraisal would cost, but that thcy should look into it. He noted it is unclear what the valuc for the land might be especialJy with improvements on the interchangc. He added he thought it was a good idea to enter into negotiations. Mayor Probst stated thc cost for the appraisal could be two thousand dollars. Councilmember Grant stated thc otTer was more than a half a milJion dollars. He noted hc believes the city has more than that tied up. He added it was wise to have an appraisal. He stated $ 2,000 is a smalJ amount in the overall value orthc propelty. :\1ayor Probst asked if staff should be dirccted to obtain an appraisal. Councilmember Aplikowski responded she was not surc it was worth that kind of money. She stated Chesapeake Companies has done their appraisal. Shc noted she was morc concemed about thc oppOltunity they want to talk about. Mayor Probst statcd they did not realJy have any other basis for an appraisal. lIe noted the full cost now is morc than $800,000. He concUlTed with the appraisal suggestion. He added that if the appraised value is less than the offer, the city would accept it. Councilmcmber Rem statcd it made sense to get an appraisal.