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Memo to Mayor and City Council <br />January 22, 2002 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Acquisition of the Richard LeFavor Property_ <br /> <br />The Commission discussed at length the pros and cons of accepting the proposal for park land <br />made by Mr. Richard LeFavor. The latest offer was for 70 acres of park land at $546,000, the <br />appraised value (see December 3, 2001 letter). The Commission agreed that there were several <br />reasons for acquiring the property including: <br /> <br />The need to land for a regional park facility in the northeast corner of the City, a goal <br />that has been discussed for several years. <br /> <br />b. There is a willing seller. <br /> <br />c. There are funds available in the Park Dedication Fund for the acquisition. <br /> <br />d. This is an area of the City which will see development sooner rather than later. <br /> <br />The property could be the cornerstone of a larger park facility that could be expanded <br />through park dedication and/or additional acquisition from other properties. <br /> <br />However, despite these very good reasons for acquisition, the Commission did not feel that the <br />land was worth $546,000, as the development community was not interested in acquiring the <br />property. The Commission presented a counter offer to Mr. LeFavor of $300,000 for the 70 <br />acres of land. Mr. LeFavor, in a phone conversation with staff, indicated that he was not <br />interested in selling all 70 acres for $300,000, but that he would be willing to sell half of the land <br />for that cost. Mr. LeFavor has not formally withdrawn his request. Based on the Commission's <br />recommendation, staff recommends that we not pursue acquisition of the Richard LeFavor <br />property at this time. <br /> <br />Resolution Supporting Sherburne County Grant Request <br /> <br />Sherburne County is applying for a grant through the Minnesota Department of <br />Transportation's Transportation Enhancement Fund for the acquisition of the railroad right-of- <br />way from the northern corporate boundary of Elk River through Livonia Township to the City <br />of Zimmerman. In addition, they are also requesting funds to pave the corridor from County <br />Road 33 in Elk River to the City of Zimmerman. <br /> <br />The County has requested that Elk River support this grant request by adopting the attached <br />resolution and agreeing to supply the 20% match required for the cost of paving the trail from <br />County Road 33 to the northern corporate boundary. The cost of paving this portion of the <br />trail is estimated to be $145,200. The City's 20% match would total $29,040. The Commission <br />voted unanimously at their January 9th meeting to recommend that the City Council adopt the <br />attached resolution supporting Sherburne County's grant application. <br /> <br />Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution supporting <br />Sherburne County's grant application for acquisition of railroad right-of-way and paving <br />of the railroad trail corridor from County Road 33 to the City of Zimmerman. <br /> <br />S:\PLANNING\MICHMC\CCREPRTS\JanuaryP&RUpdate.doc <br /> <br /> <br />