2006-03-08 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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'-1 1 --1 ] -'I J '-] .. o' f] tJ ] J J J J J J J J U Certification from Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension granting us access to all private and secure State law enforcement records and criminal history records. Certification to use the Statewide Supervision System granting us access to State detention, probation, and prison records. In particular this certification authorizes our firm to use the new CrimNET system for tracking criminal histories and the whereabouts of suspects and witnesses. Certification from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Vehicle Services granting us direct access to State driver license information, driving records, and vehicle ownership records. General Municipal Law (1) Eminent Domain Proceedings We have represented the City of Minneapolis in eminent domain proceedings to acquire land for expansion of the Convention Center and recently completed representing the City in connection with the Mann Theatre/Stimson building on Hennepin Avenue. In the Convention Center case, we defended the City against an appeal by one of the property owners dissatisfied with the award by the court-appointed commissioners. We have represented the City of Circle Pines in multiple eminent domain proceedings to obtain land for a major commercial and residential development. Of the three commissioner hearings, one resulted in an award below the quick-take amount and one at the quick-take amount. We have also served as counsel to both the City and the MCDA to successfully defend the claim of a tenant of the Conservatory Center on Nicollet Mall that the MCDA and the City lacked the authority to use their eminent domain power to acquire the Conservatory site. The MCDA and the City successfully opposed the tenant's request for a temporary restraining order to prevent any eminent domain activity and obtained an order dismissing the tenant's lawsuit. We have represented the City and the MCDAfrom start to finish in more than a dozen eminent domain proceedings, including those involving the Target Center, Block E, Chicago- Lake, Harmon Commons, Hawthorne Crossings, and West Broadway redevelopment projects. We also represented the MCDA on the Minneapolis Downtown Magnet School and. St. Thomas Coll~ge expansion projects. The firm also represented the MCDA with respect to part of the Model Cities urban renewal plan and has recently concluded representing the City with respect to the storm watef and flood mitigation proje~t. We have tried several condemnation cases to Hennepin County District Court juries on behalf of the. MCDA. In one of them .we were successful before trial in obtaining an order restraining an individual who purchased the property after commencement of the condemnation action from continuing with . construction of improvements intended to enhance the value of the property. -5-