04-25-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View EDA April 25, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 11 for children and youth. He referenced the National Youth Center course and expressed concerns and suggested that the Commission walk the youth center course and ask themselves is the course truly designed for youth, as they state, or is it designed more for use by High School Golf teams. He asked the Commission to consult an SRI Study done in 2002 noting that there is a case that golf works, youth in golf works and the program at The Bridges works well for a lot of children. He urged the Commissioners to think hard about the issues and what they have before they make any decisions. George Weinberger, 8011 Eastwood Road, stated that he is 20-years old and a product of the youth program at The Bridges. He stated that he participated in their first youth program and also in the high school programs. He stated that it was explained to him that when he entered the voting process it was the way for him to choose the people he wanted to be his voice. He stated that they are running a City, not a business and asked them not to lose such a precious asset to the City. John Ewing 10953 Xylite Park Lane stated that he treasures The Bridges. He stated that it is his understanding that a deal has already been made to get the golf course paid for and asked shouldn’t a deal be a deal. He stated that the City of Mounds View has given the Community a beautiful golf course that provides people with the opportunity to enjoy the amenities and meet new people, which is a precious experience that cannot be taken away from anyone. He stated that if a deal has been made they should stay with it noting that they are on the right track with Clear Channel. Ray Ramirez, 2273 Irondale Rd, asked if a survey regarding the golf course would be distributed to the residents in Mounds View. He stated that he is in favor of the golf course and expressed concerns that many of the people speaking in support of the golf course tonight are from other areas. He stated that he would like the residents of Mounds View to have the opportunity to discuss the issues further and agreed that it is a beautiful sport for children. Duane McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road stated that it would be helpful if the City offered the Community more information. He stated that they do not have to mitigate the wetlands in Mounds View as it can be mitigated in any Watershed district they want to as long as they meet the mitigation requirements. He referenced the survey stating that one has already been done by Decision Resources and in the survey, it is the same number of people who said ‘sell’ that are the same who also say ‘if it isn’t costing, keep it’. He stated that he would like to see a solid number from Ehlers and Associates that projects the value of the golf course, along side comparisons of what would happen if the land were TIF’d and the actual value of the land. He asked if they are jumping too soon to divest themselves of this asset noting that land is going up in valued and would continue to escalate in value. He stated that he would like to know what the professionals would say the value of the land would be by the time the golf course has paid off its’ obligations and also at what point do they think the citizens would question what was decided here.