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FAIRM o7i EMM I: <br />Extract from City Council Meeting-January 14, 2007 <br />a. Consider Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Consideration of the Use of <br />Eminent Domain for the Request by Opus Northwest, LLC/Dorso Building <br />Company LLP <br />Finance Director Chris Miller introduced representatives of Dorso Building Company <br />LLP, and the City's development legal counsel Krass Monroe; and referenced a <br />I <br />December 12,, 2007 letter from John Martin on behalf of Dorso for Council <br />consideration. Mr. Miller noted that the City was not being asked to take any eminent <br />domain action; but was being asked to express support for such action if certain <br />conditions warranted such action. <br />A revised draft of the resolution was distributed, not specifying a developer. <br />John Paul Martin, Martin Squires Attorneys At Law, 444 Cedar Street, Suite 2050, <br />St. Paul, MN, representing Dorso Building Company, LLP/OPUS, 2814 Cleveland <br />Avenue, Roseville, MN <br />Mr. Martin provided comment on the written request of December 12, 2007, included as <br />part of the Council packet, for their client Dorso Building Company, LLP, owner of ten- <br />plus acres of land in the northwest quadrant of the Twin Lakes development area. Mr. <br />Martin requested Council consideration and adoption of a proposed ordinance restating <br />the past position of the City. <br />As part of the Council packet, Councilmember Ihlan had resubmitted her original written <br />comments and position, dated November 22, 2005, regarding proposed policies on use of <br />eminent domain. <br />Discussion included noting that the property had been, at the consent of Dorso, included <br />in a larger condemnation proceeding during the anticipated Rottlund Development <br />proposal; environmental status of the property, following four (4) studies, showing that <br />this parcel doesn't require any remediation; and the property owner's request for <br />condemnation to achieve more favorable tax implications. <br />Councilmember Pust expressed appreciation to Mr. Martin for his honesty; opining that <br />what was being requested made perfect sense from a business point of view; however, <br />, <br />further opined that as an elected official she was being asked not to comply with federal <br />tax law. Councilmember Pust questioned the public purpose and benefit to the citizens of <br />Roseville; and spoke in opposition to the request as currently presented. <br />Mr. Martin reviewed several sections of the IRS Tax Code regarding timing for <br />reinvestment of proceeds; and implications to his client given the numerous unknowns of <br />the actual development and sale of the property. Mr. Martin opined that, given the <br />history of the redevelopment area and impacts to small business owners, the client's <br />request was not unusual or excessive. <br />