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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 9, 2009 Page 13 the redevelopment area, including the stormwater portion of the project. Ms. Bloom indicated six different property owners were involved, necessitating six appraisals on those necessary parcels; and sought authorization for staff to enter into contracts to perform those appraisals. Ms. Bloom noted that the appraisal work, for obtaining right-of--way and easements from 12 parcels, with six differ- ent owners, would be in conjunction with the federal process and timeline due to federal monies being involved. Ms. Bloom advised that staff was recommending that the City hire the firm of Dahlen, Dwyer and Foley to conduct appraisals for the land to be purchased as right-of--way and for temporary construction easements, in an amount not to ex- ceed $21,000; and hire a consultant to conduct easement acquisitions for the pro- ject, with staff recommending WSB and Associates in an amount not to exceed $19,520. Ms. Bloom noted that the appraisals and acquisitions be funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District No. 17; with reimbursement of these costs as developments come in, as part of infrastructure engineering and administration study costs. Councilrnember Ihlan questioned the need to hire an outside easement acquisition consultant when staff could and current legal counsel could perform the work in their regular course of business. Ms. Bloom advised that given the tight timeframe, and current in-house staff loads of the City's Engineering Department with $5 million in City projects to- date; an~i current work loads in the Community Development Department, there was not staff to perform the work. Ms. Bloom advised that the City Council did not perform negotiations for easements; and assured Councilmembers that, in or- der to move Phase I forward, outside assistance was necessary. Council~nember Pust questioned the anticipated timeframe for receipt of the first reimbursement from development projects; with Ms. Bloom indicating that the Park and Ride structure would be the first redevelopment project coming forward, with a portion of Iona Lane being constructed as part of their contract; including a portion of Twin Lakes Parkway drainage facilities to provide regional drainage for overall infrastructure improvements in the area, and in order to meet infiltra- tion requirements for Rice Creek Watershed District. Ms. Bloom noted that the project was authorized by the City Council previously; with an infrastructure contribution amount of $1.5 million for the Park and Ride facility; and easement costs included in the overall $3 million project cost; with DEED grant funds received to assist in purchasing the easements. Ms. Bloom ad- vised that staff would bring each purchase back to the City Council for their ap- proval.