ADMINISTRATION- Dan Schluender - City Engineer
Title
PROPERTY PURCHASE FOR REGIONAL STORMWATER TREATMENT
Background
The city has been given the opportunity to purchase an approximately five acre parcel of property at the southeast corner of Aberdeen Street and 124th Lane (Lot 8, Block 1; Northgate Mall Addition).
Currently, the city has a drainage and utility easement over the parcel for storm water maintenance. The city’s interest in purchasing the property is based on the desire to perform storm water improvements on the parcel consistent with the city’s Local Surface Water Management Plan. The improvements will improve storm drainage and surface water quality for the existing commercial properties served by the parcel as well as other area properties and the city right-of-ways.
Making this parcel into a regional storm water system provides several benefits. These benefits include providing an increased capacity of water storage for after storm events, improved pollutant removal, and a location easily accessible for maintenance along with recreational and educational opportunities.
In conversations with the Coon Creek Watershed District, there is an interest to use a portion of the site as a stormwater demonstration site. This would give the city an opportunity to receive credit for stormwater treatment for other project areas, where there is not enough right-of-way or property to install the required stormwater treatment practices.
The city commissioned the completion of a property appraisal, which suggested a value of $23,800. The property owner is willing to sell the property to the city for $20,000.
This project is in the 2020 stormwater budget. Because of this opportunity, a budget amendment is being requested to purchase the property in 2019. There are funds on hand for this property purchase.
If authorized, a purchase agreement would be prepared by the city attorney.
Recommendation
By resolution, authorize the Mayor and City Manager to acquire the 4.94 acre parcel for stormwater treatment from the property owner Tom Cloutier, Warm Water Pools, LLC. for Lot 1, Block 8, Northgate Mall Addition in the amount of $20,000.
Body
BE IT RESOLVED by the Blaine City Council (the “Council”), as follows:
WHEREAS, it is a goal of the city to create stormwater treatment for regional benefit; and
WHEREAS, Tom Cloutier, Warm Water Pools, LLC is willing to sell the city property; and
WHEREAS, the City and property owner have agreed on a purchase price of $20,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Blaine City Council, City of Blaine, Minnesota, that the Mayor and City Manager are here by authorized to execute any and all agreements and documents required for the purchase of 4.94 acres at the southeast corner of Aberdeen Street and 124th Lane (Lot 8, Block 1; Northgate Mall Addition).
PASSED by the Blaine City Council this 20th day of May, 2019.