Adopt Resolution #21-254 Approving Snow Storage Agreement on City Owned Land

 

Purpose:
Consider snow storage agreement with ownership of Sunfish Commons on a portion of the former Sunfish Express gas station parcel.

Background: 
Suntide Commercial Realty has asked the city to consider entering into a snow storage and parking agreement on the former Sunfish Express gas station site.  City Staff has reviewed the request and is comfortable moving forward with an agreement for a snow storage agreement at this time.  The attached snow storage agreement includes an Indemnity clause that protects the City. 

Parking can sometimes be challenging on site during certain times to the year and times of day.  The proposed snow storage agreement should help address some immediate parking concerns due to having to store snow on the Sunfish Commons site.  The ownership would also like the city to consider expanding the area onto city property.  Due to the potential for increased liability, lease negotiations, and potential site improvements that would be needed, Staff is not prepared to move forward with a parking agreement at this time. Staff will continue to work with Suntide Commercial Realty, ownership and tenants to see if an agreement can be negotiated and brought to the City Council at a later date.

The City entered into a Snow Storage Agreement with Woodmen (property owner) last winter and the arrangement worked well.

N/A

Staff has worked with the City Attorney and Suntide Development to draft the attached snow storage agreement: Included below are some highlights of the attached agreement:

• Term of Agreement is execution date - April 30, 2022
• There is no cost for use of the site for snow storage
• Indemnity for City of Ramsey
• Only snow that accumulates on Sunfish Commons property can be stored on the City owned site
• Snow is allowed to melt onsite
• Stored snow on City property to be restricted to shaded area on Exhibit A
• Northern portion of City property to be free from snow storage to ensure public safety and vision triangles.

It is further noted that this parcel was acquired for a future frontage road related to Highway 10 Improvements. Installation of parking on this parcel will need to be removed in the future. The City previously chose not to move forward with paving of this lot due to cost. Furthermore, another tenant in this development is opposed to parking on this lot without paving due to dust issues.

The City Council should consider the following alternatives:

1. Adopt Resolution #21-254 Approving Snow Storage Agreement on City Owned Land as presented; subject to City Attorney review.
2. Adopt Resolution #21-254 with the following changes; ____________.
3. Deny entering into a snow storage agreement with owner of Sunfish Commons.
4. Something else.

This item is being covered under normal staff duties.

Staff recommends adoption of Resolution #21-254 Approving Snow Storage Agreement on City Owned Land as presented; subject to City Attorney review.

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-254 Approving Snow Storage Agreement on City Owned Land as presented; subject to City Attorney review.