08-22-07 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 22, 2007 The Administrator also reported on the soil contamination issues relative to the Oasis site. He noted that the City's purchase agreement with Oasis calls for the site to be cleaned up to commercially acceptable standards. The Administrator indicated that while the PCA is issuing a closed letter for this property, the letter only closes the property for now. Redevelopment of the site will be subject to development of a response plan. The Administrator reported that he has informed all parties involved that this was not considered cleaned up to commercially acceptable standards. There is $30,000 being held in escrow for clean up costs. Keis asked the type of development that R.J. Marco or Larry Abdo would be proposing for these sites. The Administrator was not sure, but suggested it may be fast food. He noted the agreement with McDonald's that another burger fast food restaurant would not be allowed on this property. Blesener asked if holding ponds would be required on either of these sites. The Administrator replied that no holding ponds would be required due to our road project. Blesener suggested obtaining appraisals of the property. The Administrator replied that appraisals would be very expensive. He suggested an option might be to discuss these properties with some appraisers. They may be able to provide some comps. The Administrator suggested that the parcels may be worth at least $12 per square foot. McGraw suggested that the City should identify what it wants. Montour agreed. Allan suggested that these developers might have some good ideas for the property. The Administrator stated that another option might be to relocate Arby's to one of the sites, noting the need to address the Arby's driveway onto Minnesota Avenue. The Arby's site would then be freed up for redevelopment. Blesener suggested that he would like to have an estimate of the value of the property. Blesener also stated that he was not opposed to fast foot as long as the development met the City's architectural guidelines. The consensus was that the City Administrator should try to determine a value estimate for the property and contact R. J. Marco and Larry Abdo to obtain concept proposals from them. They should be informed that the Rice Street architectural guidelines will have to be met, if possible.