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Mounds View EDA October 13, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 3 Executive Director Ericson stated the CDBG grant funds would expire at the end of 2014. 1 2 President Flaherty discussed the benefits of the grant program noting it would allow the home 3 with a burnt garage removed and replaced with a new home. He did not understand why the 4 homeowners had not chosen to sell the home on the open market. He provided comment on the 5 other properties the City has tried to purchase through CDBG funds. 6 7 Mr. Ackerman believed that there was no need to demolish the home, as it could be 8 reconstructed. 9 10 Ms. Ackerman encouraged the Council to reconsider the request and questioned if the grant 11 funds should be used on another property. 12 13 Commissioner Meehlhause commented that this was not up to the City to determine. He 14 explained that the EDA was simply acting on the request of the homeowner. 15 16 Mr. Ackerman went on record stating he and his wife objected to the proposed purchase and 17 demolition of the property at 2665 Ardan Avenue. He requested the EDA delay the proposed 18 project. 19 20 President Flaherty asked if the EDA could delay the project. He believed the EDA had a small 21 window of opportunity for this project. He apologized to the Ackerman’s for the short notice on 22 this project. Planning Associate Heller indicated the City had a purchase agreement in place with 23 the homeowner. Executive Director Ericson stated there would be a risk in delaying the project 24 as a purchase agreement was in place and could be withdrawn by the seller and the funds would 25 go back to the County. 26 27 Commissioner Hull feared that if the EDA did not take action on the property, that it would sit on 28 the open market for another year or two and no action would be taken. He explained that the 29 City was trying to help the neighborhood by improving the property. 30 31 Commissioner Gunn reiterated the fact that the homeowners came to the City and offered their 32 property for the CDBG grant program. She explained that the City did not force the property 33 owner into this sale. 34 35 Mr. Ackerman had a problem with homeowners handing their property over to the government 36 for sale. 37 38 Commissioner Meehlhause asked if this item could be delayed to October 27th, to allow the 39 Ackerman’s to speak with their neighbors, and still allow the City to complete the purchase of 40 the property, if necessary. Executive Director Ericson stated he had a meeting with GMHC next 41 week. He stated the reality was that a delay could have the entire project falling apart. 42