08-22-07 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA AUGUST 22, 2007 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 22nd day of August, 2007 in the Council Chambers of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor Bill Blesener called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Mr. Bill Blesener Council Member Ms. Barbara Allan Council Member Mr. John Keis Council Member Mr. Michael McGraw Council Member Mr. Rick Montour ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mr. Joel Hanson City Clerk Ms. Kathy Glanzer REDEVELOP- The purpose of tonight's continued workshop is to review potential MENT redevelopment sites within the City. The City Administrator reviewed OPTIONS his report dated August 7, 2007 outlining redevelopment considerations. He noted that redevelopment has become much more difficult and uncertain with changes in the eminent domain law. One of the aspects of the new law is that property cannot be taken for economic development. An exception to this provision, however, deals with blight remediation. Therefore, the redevelopment of blighted properties is possible, but there are uncertainties that must be dealt with such as relocation benefits, value differences, payment of attorney's fees, and taking of an on-going business concern. The Administrator noted that he included in the agenda packet a copy of an article written by the City Planner talking about the changes in the eminent domain law. VIKING DRIVE The City Administrator indicated that there are a number of potential REALIGNMENT redevelopment sites for consideration. The first site presented is the AREA Viking Drive re-alignment area. Once the realignment is completed, there will be two redevelopment parcels. One is about 40,000 square feet in size and the other is about 15,000 square feet. The Administrator reported that R. J. Marco and Larry Abdo have both expressed interest in these sites. He asked if the City Council felt that proposals should be solicited from these two parties, or if proposals should be opened to any interested parties.