Council Minutes

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITYOF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
Wednesday, June 3, 1998

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in special session in the council chambers in City Hall on Wednesday, June 3, 1998 at 5:00 p.m. with Mayor Owens presiding, pursuant to call by Mayor Owens, which was served on all members of the council on May 29, 1998: Document No. 7559.1 - Notice.

Present at roll call were Council Members Beach, Polovitz, Lucke, Hamerlik, Bouley, Carpenter, Sande, Klave, Beyer, Babinchak, Bakken, Hafner, Hagness - 13; absent: Council Member Glassheim - 1.

CONSIDER MATTER OF SOUTHEND LAND DEVELOPMENT

Mayor Owens reported that she had placed a memo on council members' desks with criteria and some suggested plans for review, however, she knew they had not had time to review but would like to open meeting for discussion.

Council Member Hagness asked for brief review of information presented, what southend development that the City of Grand Forks is involved in, what the Park Board is involved in, whether School Board involved, etc.

Ken Vein, city engineer, reported that there are two phases to this, first part is can or should we deliver infrastructure to the southend, discussed about $15 million of infrastructure that has been presented at several previous meetings, that there's a map in the packet that shows what used for delivery of DSR type work and CDBG infrastructure that involves three lift stations, storm sewer, watermain, sanitary sewers, forcemains on southend and if go through criteria as listed on the second page, there's an implementation plan for the southend development and if that were to be approved, then there are some actions that the council could take or look at in more detail about how the development could take place. Basically, the City would commit to extending the infrastructure to serve that area which is basically south of the city limits and east of I-29, est. cost of $15 million, and that has been in the cost matrix for some time and would be looking for authorization to actually proceed with that.

He reported that the second part would be the City and the Park Board that would commit to a southend development and est. cost of that as know it today would be spending $31 million, and total of those two would be $46 million but believes that they are two separate issues and would strongly recommend that council commit to the first one and that as proceed or make decision to proceed with the southend development, look at committing in the future at least $31 million. He stated that under that the City would commit to the Park Board to purchase the Lincoln Park Golf Course, the City would make a $1 million advance payment to the Park Board so they could exercise the option to purchase the 313 acres from Ole Flaat Trust; that the City and the Park Board would partner on a combined development where the Park Board would be responsible for developing the golf course, and the City would take on some type of responsibility for developing the residential housing.

He reported that under Item 3, the Park Board would, working through Sienna, work on the development of the golf course, they would be responsible for laying out the golf course and would be responsible for grading plan where certain areas of the entire site would have to be coordinated with each other, both residential and golf course side for an overall grading plan as had been proposed by Sienna. He stated that the City would be responsible for the development of the residential lots through anyone or combination of the following: that the City through the Grand Forks Housing Finance Agency would plat the property and sell off the various blocks to private developers; a second option would be that the City would again through the Grand Forks Housing Finance Agency plat the property and develop the blocks and if didn't sell in blocks, would have to be in a position to possibly sell off the individual lots. He stated that the recommendation would be a fall-back position where they would prefer to work with private developers through the development.

Mr. Vein stated that under item c) the City would discontinue the development process entirely and turn over to any private developer when that developer would present a financially acceptable private development plan, and if that would happen, that would be one of the things they would look at primarily, City would not be involved in whatsoever, that he doesn't know if that's possible, and if that didn’t happen, they would look at doing the platting, initial development, selling off lots to whomever would be interested, and if that didn't work the fall-back position the City would have to be in position to develop property and sell off the lots.

Council Member Hagness asked if individual homeowners would be able to buy individual lots so not having to go through a developer with a markup on a block of lots. Mr. Vein stated only on the third option, if the City were involved where the City would sell off the lots could assure that would happen. He stated there could be a combination of both, City reserve a block of lots where sold off and that would be competition to the developers so that the lots stay reasonably priced. Mr. Vein stated this has to cash flow financially so would want to make sure what they think is acceptable pricing to make sure this works in the end, and a lot of that pricing was included in the handout material in the memo dated May 26 where they outlined the sources and uses. Council Member Hagness stated that they could by putting enough money into those lots that cover those costs that are incurred because of infrastructure, because of the golf course or whatever they have to pay for that development, and that should be paid for, but if give opportunity to people to buy individual lots and that’s an option that the public has expressed their wishes on.

Council Member Hagness stated that on the Lincoln Park golf course, what happens to the golf course after the City buys it, do we turn it over to the Park Board for development for a 9-hole, and their involvement should be in it so preserve that because you can’t build there but the usage could still be maintained, and would that be one of the Park District’s preferences. Mr. Vein stated that the reuse of the golf course area in Lincoln has various options, could reroute the levee and maybe turn areas into additional residential housing or leave alignment as presently projected and could be left as a golf course, could be greenway open space, once City purchases it that will be a decision the city council can make as to what future use would be or could be deeded back to the Park District for a 9-hole course. Council Member Hamerlik stated there could be an option, to only buy half and let Park District keep rest of it for their 9-hole golf course. Mr. Vein stated that would be an option.

Council Member Beyer stated that any discussion she’s had with people that are going to be displaced from her neighborhood, had talked about having three different types of deadline; one for certain amount of time to allow people who are going to be displaced by the dike to buy their lots; second, anybody in the city limits, and third, private developments; and private developer should not be allowed to come in and buy all the upper end lots and that if he takes upper end lots he gets x number in middle and lower, and the idea of selling off blocks to private developers is putting the whole idea in jeopardy. Mr. Vein stated that’s why the options are laid out for council to make the decision, there are some people who believe City shouldn’t be in the development business, others who think we should and if we are, have better control on the pricing of the lots and how they are sold. He stated that the council could select which one of the options they want to pursue and staff would go ahead and pursue accordingly.

The city auditor stated that the concern is that have to look at all the options and ability to sell off to a developer because you start selling individual lots and someone wants in one area and someone in another section, and can’t put in all of the infrastructure for two or three lots and have the City carrying costs and paying the special assessments, and that’s why the option is there and gives us the opportunity to try to do the best way we can. Mr. Vein stated that if we do this, would have to do a phase development and select which is area or block would develop first and then go through phases. Council Member Beyer stated they are displacing a lot of people for the dike line and if have the developer in there, we know the costs are going to be higher and believes we owe those people asking to leave their homes a break.

Council Member Hafner stated that at this point we need to actually decide how going to dispose of the lots, at this point don’t have enough information about the whole project to decide how lots are going to be sold, we need to know what the market tells us, what lots maybe worth before decide those things, what do tonight is decide whether we’re going to do the external infrastructure, assist the Park Board in buying the land that they need to get the first down payment going and give the Grand Forks Housing Finance Authority organize so that we can start working on these things in detail. Mr. Vein stated that he didn’t go through the rest of the memo that the Mayor put out on the council actions but a number of those actions may want to consider at this time or actually pass over, that Council Member Hafner discussed the first two actions that are requested for the south Grand Forks infrastructure; that actions 3) through 9) have to do with the southend development and may want to pursue any individual motion or action that’s necessary.

Council Member Carpenter questioned whether council had enough information as far as the pool of people that are willing to pay $75,000 or more for a lot, those willing to pay $40 to 60,000 for a lot and those willing to pay $25-30,000; this whole thing is contingent upon being able to sell 500 lots and being able to do it in probably about five years; and if that doesn’t happen, there’s going to be carrying costs to the City that are going to be fairly expensive. He stated we don’t have the information to know if there is a pool of people to buy those lots within the same time there being other private developments going on, and other people trying to sell lots; and if there are enough people to buy lots within that time period to make this work; need to move ahead with the external infrastructure, it’s the City that should tie up that land, even if sold to the Park District today we’ll give you the advance down payment so can meet the $1 million next week, don’t know they’ll want to do that without assurance that we’re going to go through with the whole thing, and that he thinks there’s a lot of risk in this and doesn’t have the information to make an informed decision. He stated that it is an acceptable risk for the City to become obligated to buy the land, and at worst would own 313 acres which could turn around and sell at some point in time if didn’t do this golf course, and would hope that this golf course occurs and whole housing development occurs, just need to slow down on that part of it, do and gather a little additional information through the research group that they’ve hired to start doing some work, get that information back, and to help the Park District should commit ourselves to buying the land.

Mayor Owens asked if City were to buy the land, where would they propose that money come from if just buy the land at this point. Council Member Carpenter stated they would just come up with $1 million to make payment, but we’ve obligated ourselves to doing it in the future and if we put housing finance agency together at some point in time, we’re going to transfer $1.5 million of CDBG funds to that, and have housing finance buy it back from us and we’re back in the same situation, that we’ve obligated ourselves through the City to pay for this now.

The city auditor reported that the money they’re coming up with now to purchase the Lincoln Park property that would go towards this allows us to use those funds as a match against the Corps project, and if we have to come up with an extra $2 or $3 million, that can’t be used for that match, not quite sure where City would come up with it, and wouldn’t use the CDBG funds to buy it because if ever intended to put golf course in there later, would jeopardize the CDBG funds.

Council Member Polovitz stated that 313 acre, and need $1 million week from today, and hat would be the remaining amount due, $3.13 million is needed for all the land that would include the golf course and the lots, and if can’t use CDBG money for that, and how much for Lincoln Park (Park District’s appraisal $2.8 million) and if came in at $2.5 million, could use CDBG money for that. The city auditor reported they have round out there is a problem with using the CDBG funds for the match on that and would have to be using City funds for that and then flip-flop the projects talking about before the $30 million and use that for other projects that have been financed by City funds, and will end up using City funds for that, and would not increase the burden in any way on the levy or on sales tax, the problem is that in the use of CDBG funds, it buys it outright with those funds and then plan on putting a golf course in later and would run into some trouble with the federal government. Council Member Polovitz asked where the $1 million comes from; the city auditor reported that the City would draw down on our line of credit with the State Bank that ran for one year and they have said the City can renew that for another year, and would draw that down and would actually end up being City funds at a later date as we get fully into the dike buyouts and would end up being a bonded amount that City would have to do as a city. He stated that the problem is if you use $1 million now just to buy the land, that’s not going to be considered a Corps match, then if have to buy Lincoln Golf course that’s another $2.5 million and have increased our costs by $3 million that City would have to cover and not sure where that would come from, that we’re fairly well strapped with all the projects we presently have. Council Member Polovitz asked if they could use CDBG money to acquire Lincoln Park Golf Course, and write Park District a check for it, and they do what they want with the $2.5 million. The city auditor stated that’s an option but if use the CDBG funds they won’t count towards the match for our share of the levee project.

Council Member Hamerlik stated he thought the City was going to put a deposit down for the Lincoln Park Golf Course of est. $2.5 million and now going to give $1 million of CDBG money. The city auditor stated that the recommendation on memo is to give the Park District a deposit for the Lincoln Park Golf Course, and Council Member Carpenter’s suggestion is that not occur but that the City purchased the land.

Council Member Carpenter stated that how this is laid out to be done is that the housing finance agency would be created, going to put $2.5 million of CDBG into it, intend to borrow $6 million from Fannie Mae and will use the Fannie Mae proceeds and turn around and buy the land back from the City. He stated that the City upfront is taking the burden away from the Park District, and going to get paid exactly the same way, that there is no additional CDBG and all ultimately come from lot sales, and don’t want to commit to all the other things tonight until have a better market study to know that there are people out there willing to pay the prices that are necessary to do this.

Council Member Klave questioned whether there was $2 million that the City needed to put up front to secure the $6 million Fannie Mae loan; and if this can be used as our equity. The city auditor reported there was $2.5 million that would go in there as an equity upfront to go to the Grand Forks Housing Finance Agency, and would still need to have the remainder in there because have to put the $2.5 million or $3 million that would have been the Lincoln Park purchase plus the $2.5 million so even if buy the upfront still have to have the $2.5 million. Council Member Klave stated that if the City is going to be involved in this and if going to purchase and if move forward, need to be able to let these people buy lots from City and see it through, otherwise makes no sense for us to put the effort and get started and then sell to a private developer, and if that’s intention upfront, have a private developer do it upfront.

Council Member Beyer questioned that if the City gives Park District $1 million upfront, where is that money coming from. The city auditor reported that we would use our draw down from the State line of credit ($25 million), and all we’re doing is buying time with that until we get a large enough amount in the buyouts that we sell a bond issue to fund parts of our costs for the levee system.

John Staley, Park District, distributed copies of appraisal for the golf course, and reviewed Memo he submitted to the Mayor, and Board thought they should come to council and lay out some goals: three broad goals, that they would like an Arnold Palmer golf course, think it’s feasible and works and given the average lot price last year and what would be required to make this happen, well within range of feasibility, thinks Arnold Palmer golf course is what Grand Forks needs and would want and think it’s what to do on that flat land to make it a cash flow type thing. He stated that the Arnold Palmer name in itself isn’t the big cost factor, can have with amenity or can have them on flat land, that the only terrain we have in Grand Forks is along the river, and if put along golf course going to have house, and don’t know that want to direct growth around the river, can look at $2.5 million and put a golf course on flat land, and if want course with contour, style to it and fits within the southend drainway, looks stylish and nice and much more potential to cash flow, talking $5 million, whether Arnold Palmer or anyone to design a thing, difference is going to move a lot of dirt and that’s the big cost factor, the big jump is whether it’s going to have amenity or go flat land and plant trees and potentially lose lot of money for years and that’s concept behind the Palmer Golf Course and the company has donated half of their design fees to help us with this. He stated that the other item the Park Board would like is to proceed and to work with the City until get to a point in this project where definitely lots here and golf course and two have been decided and not really wanting to be in the lot sales. He stated in reconfiguring Lincoln, know that’s an issue and their wishes to this point is that it remain a 9 hole use or executive golf course, one they can have at a lower price range and are willing to work with the City. He stated that the Board was able to see Mr. Vein’s proposal through Mayor Owens and that it looks favorable to him. He stated that 2.b under Implementation Plan - that City and Park Board would partner and he is in favor of that.

Council Member Carpenter stated that if the council stated it would advance Park District $1 million for the purchase of Lincoln Park Golf Course and not say do the rest what is the position of the Park District on this project and making the down payment next week on the land. Mr. Staley stated there has not been a decision and they will be meeting tomorrow and Board might not be anxious to do that, would not be anxious to pay the first million unless they knew the exact and committed source of the next two. Council Member Carpenter stated that the Park District based on what he has heard is willing to go ahead with it without the commitment, and that he’s not ready to make the commitment, and that he’s only one of fourteen, but is ready to make commitment to buy the land that keeps that available, and as gather additional information, it may delay grading of land, etc. and what he’s proposing is an interim solution, keeps project going but doesn’t commit City to everything at this point in time.
Council Member Polovitz stated there is in the cost matrix $5 million for course and $2.5 million for grading or $7.5 million.

Council Member Beyer stated that the City has to purchase Lincoln, can’t use CDBG funds because it will not count as local match, can’t use CDBG funding to purchase this land; but have to buy Lincoln and have to use City funding, and have to give them the $1 million upfront to move ahead; second thing have to do is recoup the other money City is putting into this, that if use CDBG funding into the external infrastructure, then the City has to recoup the land from those lot sales but if sell to private developers then let them put the infrastructure in, they are the ones who are going to make the money, that the City has to pay City money to buy Lincoln, have to pay our share of this development so we have to get some of that money back from somewhere, do we owe it to the people we’re displacing to give them somewhere to live and lots, that we do, and if can’t use that CDBG funding as a local match, then pursue to the very end and that for use to purchase this land with our money and then turn around and use our money to purchase Lincoln besides, is really a risk.

Council Member Bakken stated that we need this, need amenity to attract people here, need housing area to move flood displaced people, only a $45 million project compared to $73 for the Aurora, and feel lot more comfortable with this, people will eventually buy the lots and need to move ahead with this.

Council Member Hafner moved that we authorize the moving of the $15 million of CDBG funds for the construction of external infrastructure for the southend development. Council Member Lucke seconded the motion.

Council Member Polovitz stated that the $15 million would come from CDBG and we don’t have to recoup that; Council Member Carpenter stated they were not planning on recouping that. Council Member Polovitz questioned how they can look at that expenditure is to open up that area for development because of the flooded neighborhoods for redevelopment that we need. Council Member Beyer stated that the City is not going to recoup those funds, but not ready to give to a private developer either.

Gene Schneeweis, 1004 University Avenue, stated that the Park District and the City shouldn’t be in business together, the City has needs far superior to being involved with providing money for infrastructure in the southend and to the Park District with building of a golf course and 470 homes. He stated that the average cost of the lots is to be $56 to $80,000 and asked how they can justify spending this much when the City has built 167 homes and hasn’t closed on one yet. He stated that the City said we have a need to replace flood-damaged homes and built $130,000 homes as affordable; that with the taxpayer assuming the burden again, how can they justify it. He stated that the City should concentrate on coming up with the idea where the money is gong to come from to build a dike, when State legislators have said in Bismarck it’s going to take a serous look at the way the council has already spent the CDBG monies; and asked that they put this off to let the citizens decide where they want to build. He stated that if they want to build up the southend should let the Park District sell the first and then with money in the bank, build the golf course without the citizens pocketbook in mind; that if the lots are gong to pay for the golf course, then individuals who purchase them are not going to receive ownership which is wrong. He stated that if they don’t wait, have put taxpayers at risk for paying burden for their blunder. He stated this was Park District problem and not City’s problem, let Park District buy the land; should have a solid plan before coming to the City.

Marie Harris, 2315 9th Avenue North, stated she was on the City Planning and Zoning Commission for Amarillo for 5 years, and has many years with larger city that went through a major growth spurt, and asked if the Planning Department looked into the plan and if they have made a recommendation to the mayor and city council in writing. It was noted that the development went through last Planning and Zoning Commission which was the first Wednesday of May. She asked if the Planning Department appeared before the council and showed what they recommend and suggest should be done with this area. Mayor Owens reported that Mr. Potter and staff are a part of this discussion process. Council Member Hafner stated this is a concept plan, not designed but preliminary approval phases. Ms. Harris stated that the Planning Department should have a major role in this project, and if they have seen this as a future possibility. Council Member Hagness reported that they have come through the proper channels of planning and zoning, that Planning and Zoning approved it, was brought to the city council and recommended for approval, that council approved it, and it is here for this stage of it. Ms. Harris questioned what the hurry was, that most members received paperwork tonight and still trying to make a decision on something, and asked why this can’t be tabled. It was noted that the land option that the Park Board has to meet the commitment on is June 10, and if didn’t meet that commitment, the cost would be a lot higher per acre. Ms. Harris stated she has a lot of concerns for taxpayers, and doesn’t want to pay more costs.

Council Member Hamerlik stated that the selection process for design services has already taken place and recommendation was to authorize entering into a design service agreement with the Greater Forks Engineering Group to design the southend infrastructure; and asked what the Greater Forks Engineering Group is. Mr. Vein stated that if they do the original motion that Council Hafner moved, that they also proceed to the next step which would be to go with the design services, that group is a group of local engineers who have combined together because of the magnitude of this project to work cooperatively and involves CPS, which is lead consultant, Advanced Engineering, Webster, Foster & Weston, and subconsultants that would work with them through various phases, whether lighting issue, survey: Pribula, KBM, but three primes were the earlier consultants who would as a consortium get this work done. Council Member Hamerlik asked if the selection process include the opportunity for all engineering groups who do this kind of work, to submit any proposal or e involved. Mr. Vein reported it was advertised according to CDBG guidelines, proposals were taken, selection committee took place including members of the public service committee on that committee, went through committee and council for selection.

Upon call for the question on the motion and upon roll call vote, the following voted “aye”: Council Member Beach, Polovitz, Lucke, Hamerlik, Bouley, Carpenter, Sande, Klave, Beyer, Babinchak, Bakken, Hafner, Hagness - 13; voting “nay”: none. Mayor Owens declared the motion carried.

Council Member Carpenter moved that we authorize entering into design services agreement with the
Greater Forks Engineering Group to design the southend infrastructure. The motion was seconded by Council Member Klave. Upon voice vote, the motion carried 13 votes affirmative.

Council Member Carpenter stated that if the City puts $1 million out for this land, the remaining $2.1 million that’s still owed plus interest will ultimately be coming from the sale of the lots, the Fannie Mae loan and the CDBB funding that they put into the Grand Forks Housing Finance Agency, it will still come from there, all this money coming from the same lace whether we buy the land upfront or not, and if we obligate ourselves, that if we buy this land we put down the $1 million, and are going to turn around and sell to the Grand Forks Housing Finance Agency, they will be the ones who pay it, and going to get paid the same things as other way, all if does is buy us time to decide whether sure this housing golf course development as proposed makes sense, that it can actually be done in five years, or take ten or fifteen before selling these lots and at prices we have to have so have the adequate resources to make this work. He stated he though that was prudent approach to take, don’t think at stage where know that there is the market there to do this and need to continue to look at that, and same sources are going to be paying for it, and only thing is that we’ve protected ourselves that if it doesn’t look like it can make sense, can’t sell the lots, will have to pay for 313 acres of land, which can farm out, can sell and there will be developers interested in buying it, and perhaps in smaller chunks, cushioned ourselves and allowed ourselves to look at this with little more time and more study which would be appropriate.

Council Member Hafner stated this relieves the Park Board from their fiscal responsibility and they don’t have the taxing or bonding ability to carry it any farther, and seems a good option.

Council Member Polovitz asked that the Grand Forks Housing Finance Agency needs to be clarified, they don’t have any money. Council Member Beach asked if the City can assign its borrowing capability to the Housing Finance Agency. The city auditor directed that question to the city attorney, and probably have to do a joint powers agreement.

Council Member Babinchak asked that if the City buys the land, how does the Park Board build a golf course on that land, or when the City buys Lincoln back do they buy the land for the golf course. Council Member Carpenter stated that the City would have to be giving Park District the land, Housing Finance Agency would be giving them the land, and now the Park District isn’t going to have the other $2.1 million to buy this land, it’s ultimately going to be done through the Housing Finance Agency, and the Park Board is going to have to be given $2.1 million from that Agency for the additional and for the golf course.

Jim Bollman, Park District, stated the one thing that remains is the Park board will make the decision before Wednesday, June 10, whether to exercise the option to buy the land, doesn’t know that rests with this body at all, the option rests with the Park District; that they can’t do this themselves, need cooperation of the city council. He stated that if this is going to unfold, they are not ready to exercise that option to purchase, that they own 150 acres out there now, that to develop the 160 acres with the additional 313 acres will make a much better situation for a golf course and for housing development. He stated that the City of Grand Forks, city council and people of the city, need the housing development started as quickly as possible, probably more than the Park District needs to build a golf course, that these two things can dovetail, these two things can happen, that there is some risk involved and some speculations, and details will have to be worked out; but he is not sure that the Park District under Council Member Carpenter’s suggestion, is that they’re willing to exercise that option on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week to secure the land; that if they don’t secure the land he doesn’t know what the price of the land will be a week later, year later, or what will happen to the land, they still have the opportunity to make this happen at the agreed price and would hope that the city council will agree to be a partner with them or let Park District be a partner with the City , that they have the option to buy the land and need each other and would hope step forward and march together.

Council Member Polovitz stated decision much easier if they don’t have any money, that city wants to guy the land see what happens and if Park District isn’t willing to let the City buy the land and work in good faith to make this happen, then at an impasse. Council Member Hagness stated that if they buy the land, does that give them the money to be able to buy the option, but they need the purchase of the Lincoln Park land first. He stated that he didn’t know if they had all the answers yet, and rather than try to make this work together, asked to meet at noon on Monday and have the staff go over the details of what the consequences are and address what Mr. Bollman stated and find out and perhaps meet with Park District and find out what the two or three options are.

Council Member Beyer stated that the land purchase option is with the Park District and will all come from the same pot of money, and moved that we give Park District $1 million to proceed with land purchase, and the $1 million will be a pre-payment of the Lincoln Park golf course. Council Member Bakken seconded the motion and continue with purchasing rest of it, and should be part of the motion.

Council Member Carpenter stated that they need commitment that we’re going to do the whole thing as proposed, because if they spend the $1 million they want to know they’re going to get the money to pay for the rest of the land, money to do the grading, and the rest of the development of the golf course, and that’s what they want commitment for tonight, not just the $1 million. He stated that Mr. Staley said that the Park District won’t go ahead without the rest of the commitment, but that he’s not ready to make the rest of the commitment; that to ask the Park District to substitute City as the purchaser of the property, that the City will buy the land and be in the same position a week from now except we won’t have made the commitment to doing the whole rest of the project, have land, have committed, can’t be sold out from somebody else, price can’t go up and the City will have and paid the $1 million.

Mr. Staley stated that the only difference between Mr. Vein’s plan and Council Member Carpenter’s is probably Park District committing another $400,000 to starting the design of the grading, that if they come back next week with partnership formed and in that package the commitment for the $3 million to buy the land is here and then starting with commitment of $400,000 for the grading plans, then proceed and if get to the Maxfield study results the end of June and at that point it does not look feasible to do the project, then won’t do it can always make adjustments at that time to hod on the design work, switch land under ownership at that time, etc. but to proceed now is to commit the $400,000 and start the design work; and don’t have to make any decisions tonight and likes Council Member Hagness’ thought to come back next week.

Council Member Beyer asked if they meet on Monday, that would give Park District chance to decide if willing to allow the City to purchase the land; Mr. Staley stated with delay they could get more work done with City staff and put together more defined options. Council Member Beyer withdrew her motion.

Council Member Hagness moved that they table this until Monday, June 8, 1998; and Council Member Hamerlik seconded that motion.. Carried 12 votes affirmative; Council Member Hafner voted against the motion.

Council Member Hamerlik moved that we recess until Monday, June 8, 1998 to a time designed by the Mayor. Council Member Bouley seconded the motion. Carried 13 votes affirmative.

Mayor Owens scheduled the meeting for 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8 1998.




Respectfully submitted,



John M. Schmisek
City Auditor

Approved:
_________________________________
Patricia A. Owens Mayor