03-01-2021 Regular CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes March 1, 2021 Page 5 The proposals included: ■ Elk River Golf Club, which would include an exchange of land ■ Jennifer Abrahamson, Trevor Birdsall, and Adrienne Thompson, which was a cash offer including a contract for deed over 15 years. Councilmember Beyer stated he has received public input and will support the best option to make sure the golf course thrives into the future. He would like to hear the other council choice before stating his. Councilmember Christianson stated his priority is the longevity of the golf course. It is clear the community wants it to remain a golf course. He supported the Abrahamson/Birdsall/Thompson proposal. Councilmember Westgaard stated that the golf course has been a subject of , discussion for the past 16 years since the property was purchased. There is a strong interest in protecting this community asset and ensuring the existence of the golf course, something which either proposal would accomplish. The council supports selling the golf course. Both offers are from members of the Elk River community. The cash offer from Abrahamson/Birdsall/Thompson was cleaner and would ensure the golf course existence for 15 years. The council cannot guarantee Pinewood will be a golf course forever as it is at the discretion of future councils and land use. Councilmember Wagner felt she was not looking to sell the golf course this year. She is not opposed to selling it, however, she felt both proposals lacked information. She did not support either proposal. Mayor Dietz stated it was the city's intent to keep Pinewood as a golf course. The course is popular with kids and seniors and made a profit of almost $70,000 in 2020, partly due to COVID-19. If the Abrahamson/Birdsall/Thompson group fails to make their payments during the 15 years the course will revert back to the city, therefore they have an incentive to perform and improve the golf course. He appreciates what Chris Singer and the Elk River Golf Club have done for Pinewood. The Parks and Recreation Commission was lukewarm about the property acquisition. He was in favor of going with the Abrahamson/Birdsall/Thompson proposal. Moved by Councilmember Christianson and seconded by Councilmember Westgaard to develop a purchase agreement and necessary actions to prepare for the sale of Pinewood Golf Course with Jennifer Abrahamson, Trevor Birdsall, and Adrienne Thompson. Motion carried 4-1. Councilmember Wagner opposed. Mayor Dietz stated the Abrahamson/Birdsall/Thompson group could work out final details of the agreement with Mr. Portner. 8.2 Discuss Work Session Items P 0 W E A 1 0 A l NATURE