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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL AND <br />PARKS & RECREATION <br />MAY 28, 1997 <br />Pedersen said that they would not have control over the developer, since the land would go <br />to the highest bidder. <br />Sanders asked if the City could pick up the property for redevelopment purposes. The <br />Administrator said the County has discouraged this in the past. The Administrator said he <br />thought the City's plate was pretty full on land acquisition and redevelopment, and that <br />putting this property on the market would probably trigger development faster than with <br />our direct involvement. He said that the City has the same chance to influence <br />development through zoning controls. He did not know how accepting the public would <br />be of the City getting heavily into redevelopment. <br />LaValle said that there has been some interest in the parcel for redevelopment. He said <br />that he agreed with the Administrator, and that zoning control might be the best way to <br />handle this property. <br />Scalze said that the real question is does the City want to acquire it as tas-forfeited <br />property for use as a park. Sanders said that he thought it could be handled privately, and <br />that they could take part of the land for park dedication if they wanted to utilize the pond <br />area. Ables said that she thought the pond area was unsightly, and it looks bad fronting <br />Rice Street. The Council said that they had taken some action to get the area cleaned up. <br />Scalze said that the Commission could vote to recommend picking up the properiy, and <br />they should not vote the way they thought the Council wanted them to. The Administrator <br />said he would contact the County and find out if there was a sale date and if there had been <br />any inquiries. Johnson said that she thought it could be years before the property was <br />developed. Morelan commented that he did not think the entire parcel should be kept for <br />park purposes, and that buildable area on Rice Street should be developed. Scalze <br />suggested the Commission look at an aerial photo of the area to see what was buildable to <br />help their decision. <br />Scalze suggested tabling the topic until the Commission provides a recommendation. <br />Christensen suggested putting it on the agenda for the next Commission meeting, when <br />they could discuss the information. Bianchi asked if the County was responsible for <br />cleanup of the lots. The Administrator said that in the past they had sent letters to the <br />County regarding tax-forfeited properties that needed attention. <br />SURVEY Johnson said the Commission had looked at the tabulation at their last meeting. 43 surveys <br />RESPONSES were returned. Christensen pointed out that the most responses came from the 19 to 45, <br />and under 12 age groups. Morelan said that there was significant interest in Community <br />Music Events and Concerts in the Park. He said that they had tried that several yeazs ago <br />and it had not gone over real well, but that it may be time to try it again. <br />Ables suggested considering some new ideas, such as encouraging a business to sponsor <br />the event. Morelan suggested holding this type of event at the public areas planned for the <br />Rice Street/Little Canada redevelopment area. He said that businesses would be more <br />likely to sponsor the concert if their business were in view. Christensen said that it might <br />bring business to the area also. Johnson said that she thought part of the problem last time <br />