09-13-2023 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 129 2023 The City Administrator stated the current electric franchise fees brings in around $360,000 and have been used strictly to pay for street projects. He explained that the City Council provided direction in July to increase the electric franchise fee collected by 50 percent to be commensurate with other communities and requested feedback from the City Council regarding the addition of a gas franchise fee to fund gateway signage and other projects. T. Miller stated that it important to have funding sources for needed projects, but the City should be sharing information about these city fees on residents bills and how the funds are being used. D. Miller stated he would be in favor of a gas franchise fee to pay for street lights. Gutierrez stated she is in favor of the discussed fees. Kwapick stated he is in favor of the proposal for the electric franchise fees, but would only want a small gas franchise fee if it has a specific purpose. Fischer is not in favor of adding a gas franchise fee. The consensus was to increase the electric franchise fee by 50 percent and to include a gas franchise fee in the amount of $100,000. DISCUSS POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY The City Administrator shared that the owner of the property located at 2828 Condit Street has approached the City regarding the potential purchase of the 3.24-acre property. The property owner has intended for his property to be part of a future redevelopment project, and the city owns five adjacent parcels which create a 4.6-acre redevelopment area. He reviewed a potential road realignment project that may utilize a portion of this land demonstrating its importance. The parcel is currently zoned General Commercial (C-1). If the City Council wishes to have a say in how this property develops, it may be a good idea to purchase the property. He stated the appraisal value for the property at 2828 Condit is about $1.375 million. The City Administrator explained that the City of Little Canada conducted an appraisal for the Industrial parcel located at 2884 Centerville Road. The appraisal was completed in September, and the current appraised value is $969,000. Acquisition of this parcel is a strategic priority in the 2022 Strategic Plan and was identified for future public use in the Comprehensive Plan. He asked the Council for feedback on how to proceed with both of these properties. T. Miller stated she would like to see the City buy 2828 Condit in order to be in control of what happens there. Fischer stated that the prices for property are not going to get any cheaper, and the city has been discussing purchasing the Centerville Road property for a long time so he definitely wants to pursue that property purchase. There was City Council consensus to direct staff to continue discussions for potential purchase of both properties. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m7- Z' T omas Fischer, Mayor t. Christopher Heineman, City Administrator