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LAW OFFICES OF <br />William G. Hawkins and Associates ' o kZ 1 za ° U <br />Sim auk ) Work t u,'1 <br />WILLIAM G. HAWKINS <br />BARRY A. SULLIVAN <br />September 26, 2006 <br />Legal Assistants <br />TAMMI J. UVEGES <br />HOLLY G. PROVO <br />Mr. Gordon Heitke <br />City Administrator <br />Lino Lakes City Hall <br />600 Town Center Parkway <br />Lino Lakes, MN 55014 <br />Re: I -35W /Lake Drive Property Acquisitions <br />Dear Gordon: <br />2140 FouRrl -t AVENUE Nonni <br />ANOKA, MINNESOTA 55303 <br />PHONE (763) 427 -8877 <br />FAX (763) 421 -4213 <br />E -MAn, HawkLawl@aol.com <br />am writing this letter to outline the procedures that I believe the City should <br />follow in acquiring properties as a result of the Interstate 35W /Lake Drive <br />improvement project. It is important that the City speak with only one voice in <br />negotiating with property owners so as to avoid confusion and misunderstanding <br />regarding offers and property owner's rights as a result of these acquisitions. <br />The City has retained Wilson Land Services to value these properties and to submit <br />offers to the landowners. I do not believe that any other City staff member, <br />Council members or consultants should be involved in these direct negotiations <br />with the property owners. If Mr. Wilson is able to reach a satisfactory agreement <br />with property owners he must then present the purchase agreements to the City <br />Council for their approval. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, the City Council <br />may close the Council meeting for the purpose of developing or considering offers <br />or counteroffers for the purchase of real estate. I would recommend that any <br />preliminary negotiations be held in closed session since there will be discussions of <br />strategy and counteroffers that should not be made available at the time of the <br />acquisition. No staff member nor Council member should reveal the nature of <br />these discussions. <br />