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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2A,TCAAP Update EN HILLS Request for Council Action Prepared By: James Lehnhoff, Community Development Director Council Meeting Date: March 8, 2010 TCAAP Update Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: N/A N/A N/A Recommendation: 1. No action required. Supporting Documents: 1. March 8, 2010, Memo to the City Council RZEN H11LL.S MEMORANDUM DATE: March 8, 2010 TO: Mayor and City Council Sue Iverson, Acting City Administrator FROM: James Lehnhoff, Community Development Director SUBJECT: TCAAP Reuse and Public Sale Update General Service Administration (GSA) Conference Call I The City held a conference call with the GSA on February 24, 2010, to discuss the TCAAP public auction process. Mr. Legare of the GSA provided an update on the special terms for the TCAAP property auction; the Ramsey County parks and open space requests; and the auction _ schedule. A primary purpose of the special terms is to describe the process the bidder will have to follow to complete the remediation of the superfund sites. The GSA's current concept would require the bidder to submit an escrow equal to the government's estimated cost of the remediation plus an additional percentage. The bidder would then have a set number of years, likely three, to complete the remediation. If the bidder does not complete the remediation, the government could use the escrow to complete the remediation. The deed for the property would not be transferred to the bidder until the superfund remediation is completed. The bidder could work with the City on redevelopment plans during the remediation process but would not be able to develop any portion of the site until the remediation is complete and the deed transferred. The special terms will also include a minimum bid for the property, but that dollar amount has not yet been determined by the GSA. Mr. Legare stated that the minimum bid would be based in part on the costs of remediation and local land use regulations. The Army has not yet approved the special terms. Mr. Legare indicated that the GSA and Army were supportive of the concept to transfer a portion of the primer tracer area to Ramsey County in accordance with their open space request. while the conversations regarding the 150 foot wide trail corridor have not been completed, Mr. Legare was less optimistic about being able to transfer the trail corridor prior to the public auction. The importance of the trail corridor as a regional benefit was strongly emphasized during the phone call. Greg Mack, the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Director, has also been in contact with Mr. Legare to continue the conversation on the trail corridor. CADocuments and Settings\becky.brazys\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK15F\030810-CC Memo-TCAAP update.doc Page 1 of 2 The second bidders' conference is tentatively scheduled for the week of May 24, but the final date and time have not been set. According to Mr. Legare, the auction may occur as soon as the last week in June. The next conference call with the GSA is scheduled for Monday, March 15, 2010, at 2 pm. The call will be held in the City Council chambers. Additional Updates The TCAAP multi jurisdictional meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, 2010, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Arden Hills City Council Chambers. Invitations were sent on March 4. This informational meeting will recap the events from the previous year and explain the steps the City is taking to prepare for the public auction. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. The TCAAP community meeting is scheduled for April 20, 2010, from 6:3 0 pm to 8:00 pm in the Marsden Conference room at the Ramsey County Public Works building. The Planning Commission held a worksession at their meeting on March 3, 2010, to discuss the proposed zoning regulations for the TCAAP property. The City Council will continue their review of the TCAAP zoning regulations at worksessions on March 15 and March 29. The draft zoning regulations are based on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Once the draft regulations are completed, the Planning Commission will hold an official public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Council. The worksessions are always open to the public. Residents and businesses are encouraged to follow the process by attending g the meetings and viewing the information on the City's website at www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us/tcaap. It is the City's goal to implement the TCAAP zoning regulations prior to the public auction, which is anticipated to occur in June 2010. Staff issued a request for proposals (RFP) for planning and legal services to assist the City's effort in preparing zoning regulations for the TCAAP property. Proposals were due on March 3, 2010, and staff has provided a recommendation on the March 8 meeting agenda. Page 2 of 2