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Tity of <br /> <br />River <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />Item #4.1. <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Mayor and Council <br /> <br />Pat Klaers, City Administrator <br /> <br />June 26, 2000 <br /> <br />Brookstone Development <br /> <br />On Tuesday, June 20, 2000, Finance Director Lori Johnson and I met with <br />Rick Martens, president of Brookstone Inc., regarding their financial <br />obligations for the business park project. The issues discussed included park <br />dedication fees, surface water management (SWM) fees, and the possible <br />payment of these fees over time. <br /> <br />Based on the discussion of City Council at its last meeting, I believe I heard <br />the majority indicate that a compromise on at least the park dedication fee <br />amount was appropriate and that payment of the fees over time was <br />acceptable. The Park and Recreation Commissioners' strong feelings regarding <br />the full payment of park dedication fees make this a sensitive topic. It is very <br />important for the city to keep the volunteer Park and Recreation <br />Commissioners enthusiastic about enhancing the park system. <br /> <br />From the staff point of view, full collection of the SWM fee at the time of <br />platting is very important. The reasoning for this position is that this is an <br />existing fee and an error was made in documenting the amount of the fee. <br />Accordingly, if the fee is reduced, or allowed to be paid over time, a clear <br />precedent would be established. On the other hand, the park dedication fee for <br />industrial/business park properties is new and this preliminary plat was done <br />prior to the fee being established. Evidently clear information on this fee was <br />not provided to the developer in a timely fashion. In fact, if the developers had <br />been present when the council considered this new fee, they may have been <br />successful in obtaining some concessions from the city. Nonetheless, we will <br />not have this type of situation again, so I don't believe allowing a reduced fee <br />or payment over time for the park dedication obligation will set a precedent. <br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 <br /> <br /> <br />