PRECA 08-13-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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space is maintained. The city~s original purpose of purchasing the land for .public parks and open space will be fulfilled, the State Planning Agency (see attached letter) has given a preliminary go ahead and the City of Eden Prairie and the Hennepin County Park Reserve Dis trict Piave-recently completed a nearly identical. transaction.. If the .City transfers the property to Ramsey,County it does certainly .lose some. potential control of the`faclity. It however is the opinion of the manager and myself that the City .still retains adequate controls over development and the operation of site through the master plan which requires City approval-and the fact that any subsequent change in the. master plan also requres• s` that approval. It should also be noted-that Ramsey County intends to proceed with a high quality development of-the site and that the county's interests would ,not be served by abusing the site or allowing uncontrolled or inappropriate activities on the site. Any type of legal provision to force the County to 'live up' indefinitely to.-the agreement or face return of the laarl to the City is almost cer~.ain to cause either Ramsey County or Metro Council•rejection of the Agreement. The 1981-82 CIP currently under discussion b the Metro .Council Parks and Open '`Space Commission contains750,000.00 -for a 'buy out' of New Brighton share of the park. Admittedly this does not represent the current value of the land, however the land is being developed in accordancewith the cit~est original intentions. It will be.developed entirely with State funds and will be operated and maintained partially by Ramsey County. Ramsey County's share of O'and M costs will be relatively modest in the first few years of operation but within a few years will likely exceed New Brighton's contribution. The $750,000.00 figure: represents original purchase costs, interest on the bonds, attorney and•appraisal costs and miscellaneous stewardship funds exile nded in ..the last five years. It should be noted that if the City approves the Joint Powers Agreement as adopted by .Ramsey County it has not yet passed the point of no return. The approval of the master plan and subsequent transfer of title to the land will in fact be that point.- However at the time those matters are considered by the Council there should be sufficient information available to enable. the Council to make a fully informed decision. I have not had an opportunity to review the City attorney's j_- analysis of the Joint .Powers Agreement and will not comment on the _~ legal aspects of the agreement. I do however feel that it is in the best interests of the City and its residents to proceed with development of plans. to construct a regional. park at this site.