Agenda Packets - 2005/09/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 22, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 8 Ms. Mueller stated in October of 1978 the residents adopted a City Charter that protects the 1 rights of residents and is available for viewing on the City’s web site. She referenced Sections 2 5.01 and 5.02 that deal with the sale of property and stated there have been volunteers in the 3 community who have passed petitions and received enough signatures. She indicated that since 4 they carefully and successfully followed the provision of the Charter, she hopes and prays that if 5 the Council finds the petition sufficient, they will honor the City Charter, and offer this matter to 6 a referendum. 7 8 Councilmember Thomas cautioned the Mayor to not allow any derogatory remarks to City staff 9 who work hard to do what the Council has asked them to do. She urged residents to refrain from 10 those types of comments. 11 12 Kathy Olan, 8245 Spring Lake Park Road, pointed out that until recently citizens were informed 13 of one land value appraisal at the Bridges placed at $10 million by Orion Appraisers of Vadnais 14 Heights. At the July 25, 2005 meeting, staff rebuttal to a citizen statement claimed there were 15 two, not just one, commercial appraisal. She asked who did the second appraisal and what was 16 the recommended value. 17 18 Mayor Marty stated the City commissioned one appraisal. 19 20 City Administrator Ulrich explained that one appraisal was done by the State on the 40 acres and 21 indicated it was worth $3.6 million or $90,000 an acre. So, if extrapolated over the entire 22 property, it is a value of just less than what the City is getting in the offer. 23 24 Ms. Olan stated she does not think the citizens of Mounds View are getting the best deal. She 25 stated she does not support the deal and is sorry that some people are shaking their heads and 26 indicating it is a “done deal.” She stated she hopes residents will get to vote and then, at that 27 point, she will feel all right about the deal. 28 29 Ken Glidden, 5240 Edgewood Drive, stated he is speaking again in response to other questions. 30 He stated he was active in getting petition signatures but that does not put him in opposition to 31 anything because it is a provision of the City Charter and that is the option they took. He 32 suggested that calling for a referendum gives the citizens of Mounds View the opportunity to 33 vote on whether it is or is not a good deal. He stated when he was talking to residents, essentially 34 90% of them signed the petition. Mr. Glidden stated he thinks the City should be still 35 negotiating. He stated he gathered over 100 of the 1,200 signatures on the petition and urged the 36 Council to let residents vote. He asked if that is not what the soldiers are establishing in 37 Afghanistan and Iraq, to allow people the right to vote. He stated that is not opposition to 38 anything but utilizing the democratic government to weigh whether it is a good deal. He stated 39 one makes a decision when one votes. Mr. Glidden stated he knows that people do not believe it 40 is a good deal and urged the Council to please honor the democratic process. 41 42 Mary Kay Walsh stated everyone just heard from the Northwest Youth and Family Services 43 representatives that there is a huge amount of need and funding lost at the federal level so the 44 “buck stops” at each citizen to fund everything. However, some do not have sufficient work to 45