04-23-08 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 23, 2008 from Little Canada Road at the skating complex location through a portion of the St. John's property and eventually connecting to the boardwalks planned for the wetland area adjacent to The Preserve. The Administrator noted that the property located south of the hockey rink is owned by St. John's Church and there is a St. Paul Water Department easement over some of this property. The Administrator described the planned skateboard park which includes installation of a concrete slab and skateboard structures in the area of the current pleasure skating rink. The Administrator noted that there have been some past discussions about expanding parking facilities for the Old Fire Hall into the pleasure skating area, but the installation of the skateboard park would negate that ability. The Administrator reported that the Parks & Recreation Commission's recommendation is that conversations be initiated with St. John's Church relative to the potential purchase or easement acquisition for relocation of the pleasure skating rink and for trail extension over the St. John's property. The Administrator further recommended that the Mayor and Parks & Recreation Director be authorized to conduct these conversations. Blesener pointed out that Exhibit A of the St. Paul Water Department Rider relative to this topic shows Department ownership of some of the property in question, while the County shows otherwise. Blesener felt that actual ownership needed to be clarified. He pointed out that confusion may be that St. Paul Water holds easements over some of this property, and not actual fee title. Without objection, the Mayor and Parks & Recreation Director were authorized to begin discussions with St. John's Church relative to purchase or easement acquisition to relocate the pleasure skating rink on the south side of the hockey rink and for trail extension to the wetland area adjacent to The Preserve. HOUSING The City Administrator noted previous discussion relative to the IMPROVEMENT Canabury Townhome's need for parking lot reconstii•uction and the AREA possibility of the City undertaking the work as a City project and assessing the cost back to the property owners. The Adminisri•ator also reported that another townhome association has asked for City assistance in a window replacement project. The Administrator reported that the City Attorney has informed him of the potential to designate a housing improvement area under MN Statute Chapter 428A.11 to provide the City the ability to bond for the cost of these improvements and then collect payments fi•om the townhome property owners. The City Administrator provided a 19