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CITY COUN CIL WORK SESSION January 7, 2013 <br />DRAFT <br />6. Holiday Lighting Contest (Dale Stoesz) – Council Member Stoesz recalled that 90 <br />when he was looking at lighting in the city around the holidays, he realized that it is 91 <br />sometimes hard to find those homes where the owners have gone all out to put up a 92 <br />d isplay. He suggests that there could be a contest in the city, judged by an independent 93 <br />group. He’s checking to see if there is interest. 94 <br /> 95 <br />The mayor recalled there was a contest in the past. Staff noted that the Parks and 96 <br />Recreation Department did run a contest many years ago. It wasn’t continued perhaps 97 <br />because it was pretty much the same winners each year. It was a fun event and people did 98 <br />enjoy it. 99 <br /> 100 <br />Council Member Stoesz recommended that a key element would be to post locations on 101 <br />the web for people to use as a guide to view the best displays. 102 <br /> 103 <br />Th e council concurred that staff should look into bringing back t he program. The mayor 104 <br />added that he’d be interested also in having some city sponsored decorations on light 105 <br />poles and such. 106 <br /> 107 <br />7. Special L egislation – Council Member Roeser indicated that he asked for this 108 <br />discussion with the idea of spurring special state legislation to deal with situation s such as 109 <br />what arose with the properties on Bald Eagle Lake (property assessment between two 110 <br />c ounties) through annexation. He recommends that the council show support to the state 111 <br />representatives so that legislation could be sought to assist with that type of a situation. 112 <br />The council concurred and the mayor suggested that the city put together a game pla n 113 <br />because getting a change at the state le vel would take time. 114 <br /> 115 <br />Council Member Roeser noted also his interest in discussing the recommendation of 116 <br />Attorney Steve Bubul for a statute change. The mayor suggested waiting on that 117 <br />discussion. 118 <br /> 119 <br />Economic Developm ent Coordinator Divine explained her item on special legislation 120 <br />regarding tax forfeited property. There are outstanding issues that relate to the city’s 121 <br />situation. Potential legislation would allow the sale of the Legacy property below market 122 <br />value for economic development purposes, not currently allowed under state law. The 123 <br />argument can be made that the special assessments are greater than the value on the 124 <br />property. Annual administrative fees owed to the county are another economic difficulty. 125 <br />The city could make an argument for a “revenue neutral” situation that makes 126 <br />development possible. Staff is presenting the idea of special legislation for council 127 <br />consideration. The council discussed pros and cons and staff indicated that they would 128 <br />continu e to pursue the suggestion. 129 <br /> 130 <br />8. Otter Lake Road Update – Community Development Director Grochala explained 131 <br />that staff sent out petition and waiver information to property owners in December. 132 <br />Discussion s have occurred with their attorneys but a formal res ponse is outstanding. 133 <br /> 3