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City Council Meeting Minutes March 9, 1999 Page 5 • 1 Cavanaugh stated that he had obtained a copy of a letter from the Salvation Army to various non- 2 profit organizations which confirmed that the camp is for sale. He added this is the first written 3 confirmation of the sale which he has seen, and a copy was not sent to the City. 4 5 Cavanaugh stated he had met with the Camp Director, Alan Stokes, who indicated that the camp 6 is on the fast-track for sale, and the Camp Board requested that the property be offered to non- 7 profit organizations for potential sale before being listed with a realtor for sale and 8 redevelopment. He added that Mr. Stokes had stated that the letter was sent with a 2-3 week 9 window for response, and the letter requested indication of interest be submitted to the Salvation 10 Army which will identify interested non-profit organizations and exclude them from real estate 11 commission and other charges. 12 13 Cavanaugh stated the Salvation Army is taking steps to relocate to a larger property in northern 14 Minnesota and is facilitating removal of whatever items possible from the old camp. 15 16 Cavanaugh reiterated that this sale is on the fast-track which does not allow for monthly 17 discussion meetings but requires more immediate action. He added that he learned that the 18 Salvation Army wanted to close the deal on March 1, 1999 but the process has been slowed 19 down and they,will now have to wait until possibly July 1 to close on the property. He stated the 20 City must write a letter of interest to the Salvation Army to be excluded from real estate costs, and recommended the retention of a consultant firm to determine other interest and funding 2 opportunities and advise the City on the best course of action. 23 24 Ranallo stated at the recent School Board meeting it was decided that the City should meet with 25 the Salvation Army to express interest and then work with other county and state sources to 26 obtain possible funding. He added the City was not included in the letter which was sent by the 27 Salvation Army because the City is interested in converting the property to parkland. 28 29 Faust stated that the sale is not on a fast track because it will take votes to change the zone, and 30 the ad hoc committee is a way for the City to brainstorm ideas and be prudent with what it does 31 and says. He added that he is a resident of that area and has specific interest in its future, as well 32 as a desire to see the City approach this in a measured manner with community involvement and 33 input from the School Board without turning it into a bidding war out of which the City may not 34 ultimately get what it wants. 35 36 Cavanaugh stated the sale of the property has been approved by the Minneapolis district and is 37 now the responsibility of the greater Salvation Army organization. He added they are looking for 38 a willing buyer and not simply a sense of interest. He reiterated that if the City proceeds with the 39 present course, the property will be sold, and it is not the Salvation Army's sense that the City is 40 in some unique position. He stated that if the City meets monthly, it will be outside the loop. 41 Faust stated the monthly format is simply a proposal, and the ad hoc committee can determine how frequently they meet. Cavanaugh suggested that both he and Faust serve on the committee. 44 Faust stated that typically the mayor and one councilmember serve on a task force, adding that