02-24-1992 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes February 24, 1992 Page 2 . presentations, the City Council would receive public input through the public hearing process. Zack Johnson, the City's Architect for the City Hall/Police Station project, reviewed the process the CommUnity Center Task Force followed in 1990 to determine the type of community center that would be appropriate for the City of Elk River and where this facility should be located. He stated that the group worked together for approximately 12 months reviewing the types of activities that should be considered as part of the community center. Zack Johnson explained that the Task Force recommended that a campus type cdncept be followed when considering land purchases for a city "all facility and a community center. Zack stated that 16 sites were identified for a campus-type facility, and out of the 16 sites, two sites were recommended. Those sites being the Nord si te and the Morrell site. Zack, .Tohnson j ndicated that after considering the size and cost of such a facility, the City Council felt that the voting public would not support a community center referendum. Therefore, the community center proposal was put on hold for future consideration and the City Council concentrated its efforts on a city hall facility along with obtaining a site to accommodate a ci ty hall bu ild ing and a future community center. . In January of 1991, the site selection process for the City Hall/Police facility began. Twelve sites were considered for thi.s facility. Mr. Johnson explained that the twelve sites considered were narrowed down to six possible sites. After six months of reviewing many site selection factors, the City Council selected the Gospodor site for a city hall facility and future community center. . Patrick Klaers, City Administrator, further reviewed the site selection process and how the Gospodor site was selected for the City Hall/Police Station facility. He explained that while the City was in the process of reviewing the twelve sites, the City became aware that the Gospodor site was potentially available. Pat Klaers reviewed a letter sent to the City from Mr. Gospodor's Attorney. The letter indicated that Mr. Gospodor had intended to plat part of the 17 acre property that was not intended to be gifted to the City of Elk River for its city hall and future community center. The City Administrator indicated that after further review of the sites, the City determined that the Gospodor site met the long term needs of the City and the City Council had a strong desire to acquire the additional land that would not be gifted to the City by Gospodor. The City Administrator further indicated that Mr. Gospodor consented to sell the City the remaining property based on the stipulation that the lakeshore property be available for public use for the long term future. The City Administrator concluded with the fact that the City negotiated a price and purchased the property in July of 1991 from Mr. Gospodor. A total of 17 acres, including the purchased property and the gifted property, was therefore available for the city hall project, a future community center project and park and recreation uses.