PRECA 12-01-1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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LONG LAKE (CONTINUED} -2- November 29, 1982 • A portion of the funds used to purchase. the park were federal LAWCON funds. As a result of this funding, it was necessary to secure approval of the U.S. Department of Interior f_or the transfer from the City to Ramsey County. This written approval has been received by the city. The Metropolitan Council and the Ramsey County Board have authorized payment of $698,101 to the City from Ramsey County for the property. RamseyCounty does not have the money in hand as they will be acting as a "pass through" in this case. The legal staffs of the county and city have .been conducting the necessary title preparation to affect the transfer (see attached correspondence from Elizabeth Moran}. If the council apF~roves the transfer of title, the county staff is author- ized to transfer the funds upon receipt of the title. This money, when invested, should return approximately $7,000 monthly, currently this interest accrues to Metro Council. If the council feels strongly that the reimbursement level is inade- quate it, of course, has the option of refusing to transfer title and requesting additional funds from Metro Council. This request has pre- viously been made although not that forcefully. I do not recommend that course of action for several reasons: 1) The city has pushed Ramsey County and Metro Council for several years for action on this project and for us to block the project at this point seems inappropriate. • It is also quite possible that the Ramsey County Board could reverse its decision to allow development of this park. It was with some reluctance that they originally , approved the development request and given the present financial condition of the county, the board might wish to reconsider their decision. A city initiated delay has the potential to precipitate such action. 2) Further delay will almost certainly mean another lost year of construction. The county is unwilling to proceed with development plans until the city agrees to transfer title. 3) Further delay will cost the city $7,000 monthly in lost revenue. 4) The Metropolitan Council is also feeling a financial squeeze and not likely to consider our request a high priority even if it was consistent with their precedent established in the Eden Prairie case. There are several of the county park systems that are actively competing for Metro Council funds making it at least possible for Metro to simply abandon the park as a regional facility. As has been often stated, even if this park were to be developed locally, it would still fulfill some of the • regional park needs in the area.