Consider Policy for the Sale City Owned Lands

As part of the Ramsey City Council's 2011 strategic goals, it was established that developing an inventory of city owned lands was a high priority. Staff developed and introduced an inventory of City owned lands at the July 19 City Council worksession; at which time, a number of questions and requests arose. Staff responded to said questions and requests at the January 17 City Council work session.  A copy of the January 17 case and meeting minutes have been attched to this case for reference. The purpose of this case is to give a brief status update on the City owned lands project and to consider a policy for the sale of City owned lands.

As directed in the January 17 Council worksession, staff moved forward on three items.

ITEM 1: First, the potential disposition of Peltzer Park; which will be a separate agenda item brought forward at the April 10 City Council regular meeting. In summary, a letter was sent out to properties owners located near Peltzer Park, affected property owners were invited to attend the Mayor's Town Hall Meeting on February 12 and Staff has received and documented comments from the public. Overall, there are a few people not in favor of the sale of Peltzer Park and a large number of people in favor of the sale of Peltzer Park; which is likely due to the exchange of playground equipment to facilitate the development of North Commons Park.

ITEM 2: Second, Staff was directed to pursue selling properties identified as "free and clear" and not yet marketed by the EDA. One of those properties was Peltzer Park and the other two properties were #13 (Parcel conveyed as fee title on the ALPHA DEVELOPMENT, Legacy Christian Academy) and parcel #34 (176 Ave/Vicuna St).  Both of these properties will be brought back to the City Council, in worksession, for further direction.  Regarding the Legacy property, staff would like to make note that this sale may be better coordinated with a surrounding residentail developement.  

ITEM 3: Third, Staff was directed to pursue, and further research, properties identified as dedicated. The first step in this process was to see if the City Attorney was able to contact previous property owners in hopes to either (A) return City owned properties to the original owners or (B) negotiate the removal of dedication from City owned property titles. The City Attorney will provide a brief update at the Council meeting.

The next step in the process to sell City Owned properties is to select a method of sale. After discussion with local realtors, Staff developed a set of possibilities for the sale of City owned land. Please reference the attached document, "Methods of Sale Options."

With the items above in mind, Staff would like to propose a policy for the disposition of City owned lands. Please reference the attached document, "Proposed Policy, Process for the Sale of City Owned Lands." 

(1) Staff recommends that the City Council provide consensus on the preferred method of sale. 
(2) Staff recommends that the City Council adopts the attached Policy for the Sale of City-Owned Lands.