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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MARCH 29, 1999 16 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Larson stated that he had spoken with Mr. Fritsinger regarding the status of the land transfer. Given the faet that the City is working under a 90-day cloek to aceept bids for the new City Hall, it seems the City must have a plan for moving the proeess along. He noted that there is eonfIieting information on whether or not the agreement has been signed. Couneilmember Larson suggested that the City should have a plan in mind to use its eongressional delegation, if necessary. He noted that there is still a lease to negotiate and there is some uneertainty whether the Minnesota National Guard ean eonsummate the lease or if it must go to Washington D.C. He expressed his eoneern for how this will affeet the bids. Mayor Probst suggested that, if an answer is not reeeived this week regarding the status of the agreement, the Couneil should have a plan of action for the next Couneil meeting to be more aggressive in seeking help to move the proeess along. He noted that the information does mateh up to indieate that the deal has been made, however, no one can produce any sort of proof. Couneilmember Larson expressed his eoneern for waiting too long and affeeting the bid proeess for the new City Hall. He suggested that some action should be taken if there is no answer by Wednesday of this week. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the attorney for the National Guard had indicated that information should be reeeived by Thursday of this week. If the City does not hear anything by the end of the week, aetion should then be taken. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the key issue to diseuss with the Minnesota National Guard is determining what opportunities there may be to move ahead with the lease, outside the normal proeess. The lease will need to go to Washington D.C. and hasn't yet beeause the land transfer has not formally taken place. Mr. Fritsinger stated that it would be appropriate to wait until the end ofthe week and, ifnew information were not reeeived, the Staflwould eontaet the Minnesota National Guard. Couneilmember Larson expressed his eoneern for waiting an additional two weeks without taking aetion. He stated that the Couneil should eonsider what the next step would be. Mr. Fritsinger suggested a simple answer might be to eontaet the Congressional Representatives and inquire regarding the status of the transfer. Couneilmember Larson suggested having a member of Congress eontaet the Minnesota National Guard on the City's behalf. Couneilmember Aplikowski noted that the Congressional Representatives are in the State of Minnesota at this time and this would be the time to ask for help. She asked if it would help for her to make some phone ealls. Mr. Fritsinger stated that this might help. Couneilmember Malone noted that the City does not want to aggravate anyone in this proeess. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the inquiry to be made would simply be regarding the status of the land transfer. He indieated that he would not want to discuss the lease issues until there is an opportunity to talk with General LeBlane.