Consider Acquisition of Tax Forfeit Properties

Purpose:  The purpose of this case is to ask Council to consider acquiring a tax forfeit parcel for public purpose and to approve tax forfeit classification of three other parcels.

Background:  The City has received notification from Anoka County Property Records and Taxation of four (4) parcels in tax forfeit.  State Statutes requires that the governing body of a municipality must approve the classification and sale of forfeit parcels that lie within their jurisdiction.  The City is also offered the first right to acquire the tax forfeit properties. 

Upon staff review, it appears one (1) of the parcels could be acquired for public purpose, and three (3) would serve no public purpose and should therefore be classified as tax forfeit and offered for sale.

For Council's information, the information related to the tax forfeit properties, Policy for the Acquisition of City Owned Land, and the Minnesota State Statute related to conveyance of tax forfeit land to public entities is attached to this case.
 

Attached to this case are profiles for each of the four (4) tax forfeit properties, which include a GIS image and Anoka County property record. 

35-32-25-32-0036 - AUDITORS SUBDIVISION NO. 96 
Upon review, staff has determined this parcel could be acquired for future roadway/trail purposes.

23-32-25-44-0042 - LOT 3 BLK 3 PONDVALE ESTATES 2ND ADD SUBJ TO EASE OF REC
Upon review, staff has determined that this parcel is not needed for public purpose, and therefore, recommends that it not be acquired

28-32-25-21-0007 - LOT 1 BLOCK 1 RAMSEY TOWN CENTER 8TH ADD
Upon review, staff has determined that this parcel is not needed for public purpose, and therefore, recommends that it not be acquired.  

26-32-25-24-0070 LOT 6 BLOCK 3 THE VILLAGE OF SUNFISH LAKE, EX RD SUBJ TO EASE OF REC
Upon review, staff has determined that this parcel is not needed for public purpose, and therefore, recommends that it not be acquired.

Two resolutions, one for the acquisition of the one parcel, and one for the classification of tax forfeit and sale of the other three (3) parcels are attached to this case for Council action.

Staff will complete the additional responses requested by Anoka County administratively as part of the regular tax-forfeit parcel review process.

Any costs to the City of acquiring tax forfeit parcels are typically minimal, e.g. filing fees, etc.  Funding would come out of the Public Improvement Revolving Fund for Parcel 35-32-25-32-0036.

Staff recommends Council adopt the Resolution to acquire one (1) of the tax forfeit properties and adopt a second resolution classifying the other three (3) parcels as tax forfeit and allow sale.

Motion to adopt Resolution #15-02-053 Requesting Anoka County to Withhold Certain Tax Forfeit Land from Public Sale and Authorizing Acquisition of Tax Forfeit Property for Public Purpose

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Motion to Adopt Resolution #15-02-054 Approving the Classification and Sale of Tax-Forfeit Parcels in the City of Ramsey