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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes • June 27, 2000 Page 11 1 for long, native grass that would not be mowed. This was an ideal choice because of the 2 slope of the land. Some residents were concerned about the geese population, and Ms. 3 Garene stated that the issue had been taken into consideration when developing the plan. 4 Ms. Garene stated that it was the resident's desire to begin the project as soon as possible. 5 Her firm's recommendation would be to obtain a contractor that is experienced in native 6 seeding, together with a three-year maintenance contract to ensure the success of the 7 seeding. 8 Additionally, Ms. Garene wished to point out that various trees and shrubs are depicted 9 on the drawing she presented, and will be incorporated with the native seeding. The 10 residents wished for the overall feeling of the area to be of woodlands. 11 Mr. Willenbring directed the Council's attention to a proposed schedule of the project that 12 was included in the Council's agenda packets. 13 City Attorney Soth wished to mention that if the Council plans to proceed with the 14 project this year, it would be necessary to begin a condemnation proceeding on all the properties immediately. If in the meantime, if residents decide to sell their property,that 40 would be the most beneficial for the City. But, if there were residents who do not plan to 17 sell their property, then the condemnation proceeding would need to be in place. 18 However,he stated that if the project were done next year, then the City would have 19 ample time to negotiate with the residents first, and the condemnation process last. 20 Some of the residents in the audience expressed surprise at the condemnation process. 21 Mr. Willenbring stated that since it had been the residents' desire to begin as soon as 22 possible, the condemnation process needed to be brought up and addressed. Mr. 23 Willenbring noted that the optimal time of year for construction is in the fall when 24 residents' windows are closed and noise would not be as much as an issue. 25 City Manager Michael Morrison and City Attorney Soth reviewed together the process 26 and requirements for condemnation proceedings and the optimal options for the City. 27 Horst thought that the City had initially agreed to offer a settlement to the homeowners 28 for their property. Mr. Soth said that was correct; however, the condemnation 29. proceedings must be implemented because of the time frame that it takes to complete that 30 process in the case that a settlement could not be obtained. 31 Mr. Soth stated the process of obtaining the land is by a property-by-property negotiation, 32 as well as a property-by-property condemnation proceeding. In other words, each individual property is negotiated separately from the others.