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Mounds View City Council January 9, 2006 <br />Regular Meeting Page 21 <br /> <br />Mayor Marty stated he recalls this topic being discussed before, that the lien would stay with the 1 <br />property so the City will get the money. Director Ericson stated that is true and the only risk 2 <br />would be if the property went tax forfeit. In that case, there is still a good likelihood the City will 3 <br />receive its costs and lien. 4 <br /> 5 <br />Mayor Marty noted the chronological timeline and issue with the grass being 8 to 10 inches. He 6 <br />noted that they were told to mow the grass and if not the City would mow it and they would be 7 <br />assessed. He asked if the City did mow the grass. Director Ericson stated he thinks that the City 8 <br />did cut part of the grass and invoiced the responsible parties. 9 <br /> 10 <br />Finance Director Beer explained that the time the City would be at risk for bankruptcy 11 <br />proceedings is the time between when the invoice is submitted and the property is certified for 12 <br />collection. 13 <br /> 14 <br />Mayor Marty stated Mr. Bteibet is in an awkward position because he does not own or lease the 15 <br />property but he does have the licenses. On the other hand, there are staff reports and copies of 16 <br />letters to which Mr. Bteibet did not respond. In addition, Fire Code violations were sent and Mr. 17 <br />Bteibet did not make any effort or attempt to work with the City or communicate with staff. 18 <br /> 19 <br />Mayor Marty stated it is a two-way street and the City has been sending notices for quite some 20 <br />time. He asked if there is a way to consider a reduction in the fine. 21 <br /> 22 <br />Director Ericson explained that the City does not determine the fine, that is the decision of the 23 <br />judge. The judge may also determine if the fine should be stayed if correction is made. 24 <br /> 25 <br />Councilmember Flaherty pointed out that the violations go back to November of 2004 and last 26 <br />month was Mr. Bteibet’s first appearance before the Council. He stated that he feels for Mr. 27 <br />Bteibet’s situation but the owners of the property are calling the “shots” and doing nothing to 28 <br />address the concerns of the City. 29 <br /> 30 <br />Mayor Marty noted if Mr. Bteibet had taken any action prior to coming to the Council meeting a 31 <br />month ago, it would have been better for his case. Mayor Marty stated his support to direct staff 32 <br />to proceed. 33 <br /> 34 <br />The Council concurred with staff’s recommendation. 35 <br /> 36 <br />2. Discuss Sale of Premium Stop Property, 2390 County Road 10 37 <br /> 38 <br />Community Development Director Ericson noted his report that this property is for sale and the 39 <br />owners are quite motivated. The agent quoted a price of about $12 per square foot and now the 40 <br />price has been reduced to $675,000 for the property. 41 <br /> 42 <br />Director Ericson stated if the property is sold, staff believes that it will be reutilized as a gas 43 <br />station and the agent confirmed the calls are from people interested in reutilizing it as a gas 44 <br />station. The benefit of the City acquiring would be to eliminate blight on the immediate area and 45