Minutes - 2005/08/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 22, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 46 • in his opinion the Council's action just "gutted the Charter." Economic Development Coordinator Backman stated the City has adopted ordinances from time to time when certain property has been conveyed from the City to the EDA. The City Attorney's August 11, 2005 letter indicates that State iaw allows the City to convey property without regard to City Charter provisions. Minnesota State Statute 471.64 authorizes the City to enter into a contract for the sale of real properly to another political subdivision without regard to Charter provisions. Although the City Council complied with the Charter and adopted an ordinance authorizing the conveyance, the Statute provides authority for the Council to adopt a resolution authorizing staff to finalize conveyance of the properly to the EDA. Staff recommends the Council adopt the draft resolution which would convey the property known as the Bridges Golf Course to the Mounds View EDA. MOTION/SECOND. Gunn/Stigney. To waive the reading and adopt Resolution 6581 Authorizing Sale of City of Mounds View Property to the Mounds View Economic Development Authority Mayor Marty stated his belief that taking this action is a blatant way to circumvent the Charter since the sale of land is to be done by ordinance. However, to pass a resolution conveying this property seems like over-kill or like someone is worried about this stopping and wanting to make sure residents don't have the opportunity to vote. • Councilmember Gunn stated the EDA has handled all the land buying and selling and it has not been done through the Council. She stated this is no different. Councilmember Thomas stated she was firmly against doing this by resolution because it needed to be done by ordinance. Now the Council has done it by ordinance so it is not circumventing anything. She stated this vote is the hardest thing she has ever had to do in her life. She stated she was very firm in conversations with staff that until that stand was made, this was off the table. Now this is a matter of paperwork, involves no change, or change in the process. She noted there have been discussions and the public has been dealt with in a way that was honorable. Councilmember Thomas reiterated that this is just paperwork. Mayor Marty stated he begs to differ with the opinion that this is just paperwork. He noted it was petitioned and deemed invalid but why duplicate the process with a resolution just to ensure that all the bases are covered. He stated that seems to him to be over kill. Councilmember Thomas stated it probably is and she does not know that it will serve any more benefit than action already taken but it is staff's recommendation so she will support it. Councilmember Stigney stated he agrees with Councilmember Thomas and does not want to leave any loopholes open that may delay this development. • Ayes-4 Nay-1 (Marty) Motion carried.