HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-057�
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CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-057
A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE RAMSEY COUNTY AND MINNESOTA
VIHINGS PROPOSAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTI-PURPOSE STADIUM
AND 170 ACRES OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
ON THE TWIN CITIES ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT SITE
WHEREAS, the U.S. Army declared the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP)
site excess to its needs in 2001, and the General Services Administration completed the federal
screening and declared the property surplus to the government's needs in 2002; and
WHEREAS, since 2002, the City has considered only one valid private development
proposal which placed significant financial burdens on the City for tax increment financing
assistance, water and sewer infrastructure, and public safety costs; and
WHEREAS, the private development proposal was ultimately withdrawn due to general
economic infeasibility; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, the Arden Hills City Council approved a resolution in favor of
designating the entire TCAAP site for parks and open space use which was not supported by
Ramsey County because it was economically unfeasible and the County favored private
development that would increase the County's employment base; and
WHEREAS, on February 15, 2011, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
adopted Resolution 2011-075 declaring its interest in pursuing the potential acquisition and
remediation of land and making public infrastructure improvements to allow for a stadium
project on the TCAAP site; and
WHEREAS, on February 28, 2011, the City Council of the City of Arden Hills adopted
Resolution 2011-010, which stated its interest in the potential development of a multi-purpose
stadium in Arden Hills; and
WHEREAS, on May 10, 2011, Ramsey County and the Minnesota Vikings announced
their Principles of Agreement for the Development of a New Mu1ti-Purpose Stadium on the
TCAAP site in Arden Hills, and
WHEREAS, the public has been invited to offer comments on the stadium proposal
through a listening session hosted by Representative Kate Knuth on July 13, 2011; the City of
Arden Hills August 4, 201 l, stadium open house; Ramsey County Charter Commission public
hearings on September 28 and October 11, 2011; and public comment periods at City Council
meetings; and the public will have opportunities to offer comments at future legislative hearings;
and
WHEREAS, the stadium proposal provides an opportunity for the TCAAP site to be
remediated, returned to productive use, and opened to public access; and
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WHEREAS, the stadium proposal would create a significant number of jobs during
construction and at the completed stadium, and would return 170 acres of the TCAAP site to the
property tax rolls to be privately developed; and
WHEREAS, the proposed stadium-related transportation improvements will help
mitigate current traffic congestion on I-35W and I-694, and the Metropolitan Council's October
12, 2011, Stadium Proposal Risk Analysis concluded that the proposed transportation
improvements effectively mitigate traffic concerns related to the stadium proposal; and
WHEREAS, Governor Dayton announced on November 1, 201 l, that a local sales tax
would not be considered as a stadium funding source without a referendum; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2011, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
approved an offer to purchase 430 acres of the TCAAP site for $28.5 million.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Arden Hills,
Minnesota supports the development of a multi-purpose stadium and 170 acres of private
development on the TCAAP site.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council considers this proposal to be the
best opportunity in the foreseeable future to remediate the TCAAP site and put it into productive
�— use.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council's support of the project is based
on the following three expectations:
1. The City of Arden Hills will have a seat on any stadium authority or governing
board that is created to own, manage, and/or operate the stadium facility, and
2. Any stadium proposal will include provisions requiring the costs of public safety
on game and non-game days be paid by the Minnesota Vikings or the stadium
authority, either directly or through payments in lieu of taxes.
3. No City of Arden Hills money will be used to construct the stadium.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARDEN HILLS THIS
2grn DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2011.
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David Grant, Mayor
ATTEST:
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� Patrick Klaers, City Administrator