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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 15, 2009 Page 27 Councilmember Ihlan reiterated her preference that the seller agree in writing to whatever policy the City determined for their contribution to environmental clean up and why can't we get seller to agree in writing to abide by whatever policy City sets up to contribute to environmental clean up for future enforcement. Councilmember Roe questioned if this was suggested as part of the City's request for terms of condemnation. Councilmember Ihlan clarified that she was referencing this Settlement Agree- ment. Councilmember Roe noted that an alternative to this Agreement meant condemna- tion, and questioned how such a condition could be obtained in writing. Councilmember Ihlan opined that the results of negotiations going on behind closed doors was the proposed $25,000 purchase price over the property's ap- praised value to avoid condemnation costs; and still not protecting the City from environmental clean-up costs. Councilmember Ihlan reiterated her opinion that if the City had enforced its property code in the Twin Lakes area, it would have put pressure on the property owners to comply with maintenance of the buildings or demolish them at their expense, not the City's. Councilmember Ihlan further opined that this was just common sense, and due to the City failing to act on en- forcing their property code, it had placed taxpayers in this position; and opined that the rest of the City Council shouldn't try to sell this to citizens as a good deal. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of the motion; and opined that the least ex- pensive approach may have been for the property owner to do the minimum; and that their demolishing the buildings may not have been the defined result. Coun- cilmember Roe clarified that the City Council didn't want to discourage property owners from keeping their buildings up to code; however, opined that it may have worked out in the City's best interests in this case. Councilmember Roe further opined that, if the City was to choose the alternative of going through condemna- tion proceedings, there were no protections as preferred by Councilmember Ihlan, which provided no incentive to the property owner to agree to those protections in this proposed agreement. Roll Call Ayes: Johnson; Roe; and Klausing. Nays: Ihlan. Motion carried. 13. Business Items - Presentations/Discussions