03/08/1971 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

3/8/71 S Mr. L'Allier noted that many of the people present were here to find out the status on the proposed Metro Park. He stated that we had known for a year or longer that the Metro Park Board was interested in our area for a park, that we didn't know exactly where it would be, but that we now know where they want it. Mr. L'Allier stated that the Council had gone on record opposing any Metro Park in Lino Lakes until the Legislature can provide for compensation of tax revenue for the lands taken. He noted that a bill had been drafted that would provide compensation for 10 years depending on the County's Assessment of the lands involved each year. Another bill, proposed by the Metro Council would reimburse municipalities for up to 5 years. Mr. L'Allier noted that the maps had been provided just before the Open House, and were the result of studies by a private group. He stated that the Metro Park Board doesn't yet have the power of eminent domain, but a bill in the Legislature would give them power of condemnation. Mr. L'Allier stated that the Council didn't feel the proposal should be turned down completely, but neither did they wish to allow all of the land to go into it. He mentioned that at the neeting in January when the Metro people had presented the proposal, that they wished to work with us on this, rather than force the proposal on us. Mr. L'Allier stated that the Council feels that the high land on the east side of the lakes should not be included in the park, nor that on the south side; also, exclude the 4th corner of the intersection of I35W and Old Hwy 8; the land along Highway 8 should be excluded since it is our best commercial land. He stated that at the last council meeting we had requested the Planner, the Chairman of the Park Board to meet with the County and the Metro Council staff on the on the proposal further. Mr. L'Allier stated that Lino Lakes does have some undevelopable area and that we should lay out this area that could go into the park. This will discussed before a decision is made. We should be assured of reasonable compensation first and if there isn't reasonable compensation then we should oppose any type of park. Mr. L'Allier stated that the Council would answer questions from the audience, preferably Lino Lakes citizens first. Mr. John Popham asked *bather the Mayor meant that if there no compensation there would be no parks in Lino Lakes. Mr. L'Allier stated, "NO ". Lino Lakes is very concerned with park land. He showed various areas on the map where there are Village parks, noting that the voters had turned down a park on the east side of the Village at the last election. Mr. Popham asked how they would compute the tax compensation. Mr. L'Allier answered that it would be based on the taxes at the time the land was made into a park, and if the bill passed this would be re- assessed every year for 10 years. Mr. Popham asked who would reimburse us. Mr. L'Allier stated that the State would, however, there have been a lot of objections from out of area legislators and from metroplitan legislators out of Anoka County who feel that schools and hospitals should be compensated for likewise. Don Marier noted that as of 2 P.M. today, they cannot agree how the taxes are to be compensated for. There was some discussion on the proposed bills.