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City of Centerville <br />Special Council Meeting Minutes <br />June 3, 2021 <br /> <br />cost would be approximately $24,000 dollars. He noted that looking at this from a tax revenue <br />standpoint, there is lucrative tax revenue from this development. In the packet, the Police and Fire <br />Chief gave their opinion on the development and saw no concern with the apartment building. <br /> <br />Recess and Reconvene <br />Mayor Love requested a 5-minute recess to attempt to regain the sound for this meeting. The <br />meeting reconvened at 6:56 p.m. <br /> <br />Mr. Clint Blaser, Halvorson and Blaser Company, provided information on their experience with <br />projects similar to this project. He stated that they have managed over 4,000 units and own property <br />in Forest Lake and New Prague. <br /> <br />Council Member Lakso requested a verbal summary of their philosophy. Mr. Blaser simply stated <br />his philosophy is to treat people how they want to be treated. He also stated he would not take on <br />a property that his family could not be a part of. He takes drug and high crime properties and turns <br />them around. He also has a multitude of experience on the property management side of things. <br /> <br />Council Member King wondered why the developer had not taken any soil boring samples and <br />thinks it would have been important to do so prior to Council consideration. Mr. Harchanco stated <br />that since this property was on farmland, it would not necessarily need soil samples. <br /> <br />Council Member King expressed his concerns with the height of the apartment building. Mr. <br />Harchanco stated the 106 units is key for bank approval. The 106 unit minimum is at the low end <br />of the unit total. <br /> <br />Mr. Jon Rausch spoke to further clarify some information. He has been marketing land for 50 <br />years and in his experience the only reason developers go high is if it is not feasible to go <br />horizontal. It is also about demographics, traffic, how many people are within the property, and <br />etc. <br /> <br />Council Member King wonders why the development of the apartment building is taking up <br />commercial property when there is currently so little of it. <br /> <br />Council Member Koski compared this project to a different 3.4-acre commercial parcel of land in <br />Lino Lakes. His thought was that the city would stand to gain more tax revenue with a commercial <br />property than with a residential one. <br /> <br />Council Member Lakso wondered if there was ever a plan to create an exit off 35W to Main Street. <br />Administrator Statz replied that with the current wetlands, it would be difficult. <br /> <br />Council Member Mosher stated that he has lived in the community since 1994 and wondered if <br />there had been any other offers on this property. Mr. Jon Rausch stated that Kwik Trip looked at <br />it a few years ago but nobody has made any legitimate offers. He explained it is very rare to have <br />three (3) developments going on at the same time. He reiterated the big question remains what is <br />the return investment, noting more homes equal more density and more density drives retail and <br />other retail drives additional retail. <br /> <br />Page 3 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />