Minutes - 2001/10/02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council October 22, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 9 Community Development Director Ericson indicated that Staff had prepared two resolutions for consideration, one for the approval of the expansion and one for the wetland alteration. He then indicated that the wetland alteration permit would be subject to a number of stipulations, one of which is that the applicant must obtain a permit from Rice Creek Watershed District. Community Development Director Ericson indicated that the new purchase agreement had been included in Council packets and said that City Attorney Riggs had a few issues with the document but none significant enough to prevent the City from moving ahead with approval. Community Development Director Ericson indicated that Council Member Stigney had asked at the previous meeting how much revenue would be generated from the billboards at the golf course. He then indicated he had determined that each billboard was projected to bring in $41,000 per year with an annual inflation percentage of 4%. He further stated that the two situations are completely different in that this billboard is already there and Clear Channel Outdoor does not have to pay the City for the billboard. Council Member Marty indicated he was pleased to see that the document had been changed to reflect a CPI of 3% but said he did not see a sunset clause. He then indicated that, even if it was many years out, he would like to see a sunset clause. He further indicated that he had found out that the sign is not just in a wetland buffer it is in the wetland and that concerns him. Community Development Director Ericson indicated that there had been discussion concerning a sunset clause but said Clear Channel Outdoor was not interested in agreeing to a sunset provision as there is no sunset provision on the current billboard. Council Member Marty indicated that building the larger billboard would benefit Clear Channel Outdoor more than the City and it is in the wetland. He then indicated that he could not support it if there was not a sunset clause. Council Member Thomas noted she would also like to see a sunset clause but said that since Clear Channel Outdoor has a perpetual easement to have its billboard there the Company does not have to agree to a sunset provision. Mayor Sonterre disagreed that Clear Channel Outdoor is getting more out of the deal than the City. He then explained that the City is currently stuck with an unsightly billboard forever that does not generate revenue and with this proposal the City would get a modern billboard that is nicely landscaped, an area to use for a welcome to Mounds View sign, and a sizeable up front payment with continued yearly revenue forever. Council Member Marty questioned whether Mayor Sonterre was willing to be bought for the City's wetlands. He then indicated that if the sunset clause is not agreed to now that perhaps in the future when an offer is presented again the City would be able to get the sunset clause. • Mayor Sonterre stated he did not feel the matter was "worth playing poker over."