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Mounds View City Council August 22, 2005 <br />Regular Meeting Page 8 <br />• Ms. Mueller stated in October of 1978 the residents adopted a City Charter that protects the <br />rights of residents and is available for viewing on the City's web site. She referenced Sections <br />5.01 and 5.02 that deal with the sale of property and stated there have been volunteers in the <br />community who have passed petitions and received enough signatures. She indicated that since <br />they carefully and successfully followed the provision of the Charter, she hopes and prays that if <br />the Council finds the petition sufficient, they will honor the City Charter, and offer this matter to <br />a referendum. <br />Councilmember Thomas cautioned the Mayor to not allow any derogatory remarks to City staff <br />who work hard to do what the Council has asked them to do. She urged residents to refrain from <br />those types of comments. <br />Kathy Olan, 8245 Spring Lake Park Road, pointed out that until recently citizens were informed <br />of one land value appraisal at the Bridges placed at $10 million by Orion Appraisers of Vadnais <br />Heights. At the July 25, 2005 meeting, staff rebuttal to a citizen statement claimed there were <br />two, not just one, commercial appraisal. She asked who did the second appraisal and what was <br />the recommended value. <br />Mayor Marty stated the City commissioned one appraisal. <br />City Administrator Ulrich explained that one appraisal was done by the State on the 40 acres and <br />indicated it was worth $3.6 million or $90,000 an acre. So, if extrapolated over the entire <br />• property, it is a value of just less than what the City is getting in the offer. <br />Ms. Olan stated she does not think the citizens of Mounds View are getting the best deal. She <br />stated she does not support the deal and is sorry that some people are shaking their heads and <br />indicating it is a "done deal." She stated she hopes residents will get to vote and then, at that <br />point, she will feel all right about the deal. <br />Ken Glidden, 5240 Edgewood Drive, stated he is speaking again in response to other questions. <br />He stated he was active in getting petition signatures but that does not put him in opposition to <br />anything because it is a provision of the City Charter and that is the option they took. He <br />suggested that calling for a referendum gives the citizens of Mounds View the opportunity to <br />vote on whether it is or is not a good deal. He stated when he was talking to residents, essentially <br />90% of them signed the petition. Mr. Glidden stated he thinks the City should be still <br />negotiating. He stated he gathered over 100 of the 1,200 signatures on the petition and urged the <br />Council to let residents vote. He asked if that is not what the soldiers are establishing in <br />Afghanistan and Iraq, to allow people the right to vote. He stated that is not opposition to <br />anything but utilizing the democratic government to weigh whether it is a good deal. He stated <br />one makes a decision when one votes. Mr. Glidden stated he knows that people do not believe it <br />is a good deal and urged the Council to please honor the democratic process. <br />Mary Kay Walsh stated everyone just heard from the Northwest Youth and Family Services <br />representatives that there is a huge amount of need and funding lost at the federal level so the <br />"buck stops" at each citizen to fund everything. However, some do not have sufficient work to <br />