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City Council Meeting Minutes May 11, 1999 • Page 9 1 for a sum substantially in excess of the City's upper limit of$10 million. He added the Army 2 feels this moratorium may not be used for the purposes of targeting a particular property, and the 3 action is arbitrary and would not be sustained in the courts. 4 5 Mr. Plunkett stated the moratorium would have the chilling effect of preventing the Salvation 6 Army from selling the property, as any interested party would be purchasing the property at risk. 7 He added that this moratorium would have a vast negative impact on the Salvation Army, which 8 conducts many good works throughout the community. 9 10 Ranallo stated the City has attempted to obtain any amount of information from the Salvation 11 Army with no success over the past months, and Mr. Plunkett's information is the first the 12 Council has heard about these active negotiations. 13 14 Mr. Plunkett stated the Army's decision to sell the property is based on a number of factors, 15 including an opportunity to acquire property in northern Minnesota.for a camp. He added the 16 Army is not in a position to maintain 2 camps, and if the ability to sell this camp is put on hold, it 17 will adversely affect the Army's ability to proceed with its plans. 4 Ranallo asked whether a final decision has been made. Plunkett stated that no purchase 20 agreement has been signed,but if the City and School Board proceed with these condemnation 21 proceedings, the numbers are in excess of what has been presented. 22 23 Soth stated that risks are always involved with the sale of property which is unique. He added 24 the City needs to determine what the permitted uses of this property should be, adding that there 25 is no current intention to rezone or make changes to the Comprehensive Plan. He reiterated that 26 State law gives the City the right to hold off any changes in the meantime. 27 28 Plunkett stated that in his opinion the moratorium and the potential condemnation which it 29 represents is not consistent with the laws of the state. 30 31 Ranallo stated the City has never discussed the possibility of condemnation. Plunkett stated the 32 potential for condemnation would exist if a moratorium were imposed. 33 34 Cavanaugh stated the City is on a journey from Salvation Army ownership of the property to its 35 new owners, whoever they may be. He added the moratorium allows the community to make 36 this orderly transition from present to future use, and the City has some control over future use. 37 Plunkett stated these opportunities exist for the City through rezoning and conditional use 38 permits which carry statutory time limits. He reiterated that the Salvation Army believes the 39 moratorium is inappropriate.