11-10-2004 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNC.[l. NOVEMBER 10, 2004 they were going to make improvements to the complex. However, improvements to the extent promised have not occurred. He noted that the complex has recently been pushed to address outstanding Fire Code issues, which Montreal Courts has indicated they have now done. The Administrator indicated that he will send the Fire Marshal to the complex to verify that these improvements have been made. The City Administrator indicated that based on the number of serious police calls at.Montreal Cow-ts, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department feels the complex needs on-site security. The Administrator reviewed the letter from Division Commander Alteudorfer at the Sheriff' s Department dated October 29, 2004 relative to the options. The first option would be for the City to hire a Deputy Sheriff to patrol Montreal Courts and then bill the cost directly to Goldmark Companies, the owner of the complex. The second option would be for Goldmark Companies to hire au off-duty Deputy Sheriff under a private arrangement at a cost of $40 per hour. The City Administrator further reported that Goldmark Companies is intending to sell Montreal Courts to afor-profit entity. The attorney representing Goldmark is proposing that the Regulatory Agreement that was a part of the initial financing package be assigned to the new owner, and the City's is being asked for consent to the assignment. This is an opportunity for the City to resolve any outstanding issues at Montreal Courts as a condition of granting consent to the assignment of the Regulatory Agreement. The Administrator noted that if the owners are unable or unwilling to meet the City's requirements. It is likely the sale can still proceed. Because the Regulatory Agreement is recorded against the land, the purchaser is subject to its provisions even without an assignment by the City. The Council discussed the need for on-premise security at Montreal Courts and utilizing any leverage it might have in getting that security in place. The Council also felt that a list of outstanding issues at Montreal Courts should be compiled, and that the City makes the effort to get as many of these issues resolved as possible prior to the sale of the property. It was pointed out that if these issues cannot be resolved, the City ultimately has the ability to put a licensing program in place which would generate license fees aY a level that would cover the cost of on-premise security. The City Administrator pointed out that Mayor Fahey, Cowrcil Member Montour and he have been meeting with Montreal Courts on the security and fire code issues. It was agreed that this subcommittee should continue its efforts, including Mayor-)/lect Blesener, if possible, with due consideration to the Open Meeting Law. 2