10-01-2013 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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� City Council Minutes October 1, 2013 Page 3 of 6 ----------------------------- Cathy Malecha, Park Commission Chair, informed the Council that she has studied the splash park concept with cities that have splash parks (Princeton, Royalton and New Ulm). She stated that the Park Commission would work with a committee to raise funds for this project and would also be looking at grants. She stated that the Park Commission would like to see the City provide the bathroom facility in the park. She explained that the Park Commission will create a budget for the project which will be presented to the Council. COUNCIL MEMBER GARDNER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PARK COMMISSION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SPLASH PARK PROJECT AND TO BEGIN FUND RAISING FOR THE PROJECT. COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.1 Planning Commission Report Report given by Justin Burslie. No Council action required. 6.1.A. Buschmann Property `� Justin Burslie noted that the Planning Commission was directed to determine whether the acquisition of property located at 31064 County Road 112 would be beneficial to the City and compatible with the Comprehensive Plan. He noted that the Planning Commission has determined that because the property is designated as "Downtown Mixed Use" by the Comprehensive Plan and served by a significant amount of infrastructure, that it should not be acquired for long-term ownership by the City. The Planning Commission recommends that the property continue to generate tax revenue for the City. He stated that the Planning Commission concluded that purchasing the property for the location of a restroom would not be compatible with the comprehensive plan (in downtown mixed use zone). The Planning Commission supports the City purchasing the property if it is the intent of the City to clean up and sell the property to a private party. If the City were to purchase the property to clean it up for resale, the City would have to determine the cost. The Council discussed the merits of purchasing the property. Tim Houle explained the process of an environmental assessment of the property. He noted that a Phase 1 assessment would be research and if environmental hazards were determined then the assessment would move into Phase 2. The Council discussed the concerns of possible environmental contamination and the cost to clean up the property. Council Member Akerson stated that the parcel does connect to the City's property. It was �