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CITY COUNCIL MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1982 -5- 9, PUBLIC INQUIRIES: Ed Nielsen - City Office Mr. Nielsen submitted a petition with over 100 signatures opposing rental of space in,the Brookfield Building for office space. He read the text of the petition, outlinedan' alternative:to remodel the present City office with suggested estimates from two local contractors and appealed the Council to reverse its decision. He said the majority of the residents approached opposed leasing property, opposed purchasing additional property - there is adequate park land-, and felt the issue should be put to a vote of the people. --Eder - reviewed some of the background on the building question and the Council's decision, This was widely publicized in the City newsletter and the press - never received a call on the matter, and conscientiously reviewed the facts and fiqures to substantiate the decision that was made. --Mottaz - space not the only issue-..- many considerations discussed over many hours - articles in the newsletter and in newspapers over the past year - no input. Petition did not present the background for petitioners to base an evaluation on. Contractors figures were not based on actual work that would need to be done. Had two independent estimates for remodeling that were no where near $40,000. --Nielsen - space is key consideration - what do Lake Elmo residents have to do to covince the Council to get out of leasing? --Fraser - any charige-'would be,fantastically expensive. Have made commitments - have given this enormous amounts of time attention and dollars. Have used a reasonable process and appropriate judgements. --Eder - all criteria and all the elements discussed at many Council meetings and were in writing. Council can make such decisions by statute. Contracts signed, --Nielsen - amount of money invested in the leased space, to date, could be sublet to someone else - will be insignificant compared to amount of money spent over the next 5 years. --Eder - gone though all the figures - not convinced that putting the necessary amount of money into remodeling the present office building is frnancially"sound investment. --Nielsen - only has to last 5 years, --Eder - can acknowledge these opinions, but cannot do anything about them. --Nielsen = unfortunate this was not quizzed to the people. Would have found out a majority were against it. Unpopular decision. --Eder - present working conditions for the City staff are deplorable - would create a hodgepodge by trying to convert the present office area. As long as this decision is financially sound no need to argue the issue. Thanked Mr, Nielsen for his time and concern. Mr. Nielsen submitted the petitions and related data as a part of this record. 10. OLD BUSINESS: A. Buildingnspec Itor Contract - The Council reviewed the amenden contract with the requested changes. The Council voiced no additional changes. M/S/P Fraser/Eder to approve the Building Inspector's Contract anl. authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the agreement between James McNamara and the City of Lake Elmo, and Mahtomedi,