04-29-92 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP APRIL 29, 1992 7 The City Attorney advised the city could not do this in a form of a letter of intent. There would have to be some form of a contract that binds the city and future councils. Councilman Williams indicated he did not go along with directing the City Attorney to talk with that attorney without there being an escrow fund set up by the propertyowner. If they aren't willing to put up a couple thousand dollars, then they are not very serious. Mayor Johnson felt the city would have to spend a couple of dollars for this. The question is "Is it worth it --will it pay off in the long run?" The Washington County assessor worked up a tax rate project based on a 25 million and 50 million project. Mayor Johnson understands this is a 3 story building, 120,000 sq.ft. per floor. Under 25 million if we kept our existing tax rate, this project would provide to the city $200,000 a year. Councilman Williams stated he would not agree to have this city spend any more money on this project unless the propertyowners come up with some money. If any of the consultants are going to be directed to do anything, it must be in a form of a vote by the full council. M/S/F Mottaz/Mayor Johnson - to direct the City Attorney to contact this attorney and to limit his contact with this attorney to 3 hours. (Motion failed: Williams, Dick Johnson). Councilman Johnson stated we have shown good faith to this developer in the amount of $20,000 and tried to get the Metropolitan Council to accept our application. I have seen nothing in writing. I am not going any farther in this, until a good faith effort is shown from the other side. Mayor Johnson said he would do the dealing with their attorney, find out from them what they want and what would work for them and bring it back to the Council. Discussion of the septic tank ordinance: Councilman Williams indicated he would be willing to go along with the revision of the ordinance to allow the tank covers to be within 4" of the surface rather than at the surface. This would take care of a lot of the objections. Mayor Johnson would like to have further discussion on this. He has heard people say they simply aren't going to do it anyway. There is only one way that we will make sure that the pumper in fact pumps through that the manhole cover and that is if it is up -to -grade.