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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, Apri127, 2009 Page 9 Councilmember Ihlan note that the City had consulted an attorney in the past for an investigation to determine the chain of responsibility for subject properties; and spoke in support of pursuing that legal advice to look into environmental clean up reimbursement; with those transactions structured to keep the City out of the chain of property transactions. City Manager Malinen reviewed the proposed funding for the infrastructure im- provements, with eventual reimbursement as the area develops, including Tax In- crement Fund (TIF) funds from the Centre Pointe Development, grant monies, al- location contribution from Metropolitan Transit; and if necessary, TIF funds from the existing District depending on how the bids came in. Councilmember Pust spoke in support of the design elements; however, she noted that costs are 30% higher than originally estimated; and that there were many other projects on hold in addition to this one. Councilmember Pust spoke in sup- port of further analysis of finding those responsible for the original contamination of the properties to cost-share the property clean up. City Manager Malinen noted that appraisals of those properties with contamina- tion on site had taken in the condition of those properties. Mayor Klausing opined that he would like to see these issues determined once and for all; and directed the City Attorney to determine the process required and further research how the City could establish liability issues; recovery of funds when the City is not the owner of the contaminated property; and other issues not specific to actual land use. Mayor Klausing thanked staff for their work, and expressed his enthusiasm about the proposed green design. b. Discuss Twin Lakes Property Maintenance Code Enforcement City Manager Malinen, based on Councilmember Ihlan's previous request and previous requests for the City Attorney's office, noted the April 3, 2009 letter from City Attorney Squires outlining options available for the City Council to consider related to dilapidated structures in the Twin Lakes redevelopment area. Councilmember Ihlan advised that she would prefer to have this discussion when Community Development Director Patrick Trudgeon was in attendance; and to focus specifically on community complaints regarding dilapidated buildings. Councilmember Ihlan expressed concern with appraisals including values for those buildings scheduled for demolition; and opined that the City needed to be more pro-active in either getting buildings brought up-to-code so they have value for right-of--way acquisition; or have them demolished at the expense of the prop- erty owner. Councilmember Ihlan expressed her preference for Option Two as detailed in the April 3, 2009 letter from City Attorney Squires; and expressed a