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Mounds View City Council May 29, 2001 <br />Regular Meeting Page 9 <br />• C. Existing Billboard on Former Midland Videen Property. <br />Community Development Director Ericson noted that, at a previous meeting, Staff had brought <br />up the question of who controls the land where the easement for the billboard is located. He then <br />noted that the City Attorney had reviewed the line of real estate transfers and determined that the <br />easement rights did transfer to the City. <br />Director Ericson then noted he had brought this matter before Council to determine whether <br />Council wished to direct Staff to attempt to negotiate a lease with Ellers Media in an attempt to <br />generate revenue and provide a sunset clause for when the billboard would be removed. He <br />further noted that as it stands now, the billboard could remain on the property indefinitely. <br />Mayor Sonterre indicated the existing billboard has no sunset clause and noted that <br />representatives of Ellers Media had indicated a willingness to discuss entering into a fifteen year <br />lease with the City that would incorporate a welcome to Mounds View theme and would also <br />match the proposed billboards at the golf course. He also noted that Ellers Media would be <br />paying the City for the right to lease the space. <br />Council Member Marty noted that if a drop dead date for all billboards in the City to be removed <br />were inserted into Ordinance 679 the issue would be resolved. <br />Council Member Stigney stated that he was concerned that once a revenue source for the City <br />. was established that the lease would be perpetual and the billboard would never be removed. <br />Mayor Sonterre clarified that, as the matter stands, the billboard is there. There is no sunset <br />clause, and the City is not receiving any revenue from it. <br />Council Member Stigney indicated he did not understand how Ellers Media could leave the <br />billboard up if the City owns the easement. <br />City Attorney Riggs indicated that the billboard is a legal non-conforming use that can stay <br />forever and noted the only way to get rid of the billboard is for the City to negotiate a lease with a <br />sunset provision. <br />Council Member Thomas stated she felt the need to have a date that the billboard would come <br />down. <br />Council Member Marty stated that he felt fourteen years would give Ellers Media a significant <br />amount of time. <br />Council Member Stigney stated that he had not heard a time frame until now and asked for the <br />minimum time frame Ellers Media would be willing to negotiate. He then asked what the <br />purpose behind negotiating a new lease was, to bring in a revenue source or to get rid of the <br />billboard. <br />