06-14-06 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JUNE 14, 2006 property on their own, but noted that they may be willing to trade a portion of their property that would be needed for the Viking Drive connection to Minnesota Avenue for all or a portion of the Oasis property. The Administrator was not sure how the details would work. Blesener pointed out the County's involvement in the realignment of Vadnais Blvd., and asked how this would differ. The City Administrator pointed out that Vadnais Blvd. is a County road while Viking Drive is a City street. The Administrator indicated that he has discussed the financial aspects of this realignment with Dan Soler of Che County, and Soler was not sure of the level to which the County was willing to participate. The Administrator also noted that McDonald's would like to start on their redevelopment fairly soon, and he was not sure thaC Che County would have an answer quickly. The Administrator thought that the County would participate in the right-of--way acquisition costs as well as construction costs. Blesener noted that the two Viking Drive homes are for sale; therefore, acquisition of these homes and realignment of Viking Drive would not force anyone out of their homes. The City Administrator suggested that the City may want Co enter into contingent purchase agreements for these properties subjecC to the City's ability to acquire a portion of the McDonald's property for a road connection. LaValle asked if this McDonald's was corporate-owned. The Administrator reported that the property is corporate-owned and the building is leased to a franchisee. Blesener asked about financing the right-of-way acquisition through MSA. The Administrator replied that righC-of-way can be acquired with MSA funds. However, given the use of these funds for the County Road B-2 project, the City may have to bond for the realignmenC projecC Co make it work. The Administrator anticipated thaC acquisition costs would be a significant number of dollars, likely equivalent to 2'/z years of the City's MSA allocation. The CiCy Engineer reported that use of MSA funds for this project would likely increase the City's needs allocation resulting in an increase in future MSA allotments. Blesener noted that Chis is an opportunity to redevelop the area as well as improve the Viking Drive connection to Rice StreeC at no cost Co the City's taxpayers. The Administrator agreed that Rice Street would function beCCer as a result of realigning Viking Drive, but questioned whether the cost of realignment was something that Little Canada should bear on its 10