10.1. SR 05-07-2012REQUEST FOR ACTION
TO ITEM NUMBER
Ma or and Ci Council 10.1
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Work Session May 7, 2012 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation
Director
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
Possible Acquisition of the Houlton Property Cal Portner, Ci Administrator
REVIEWED BY
ACTION REQUESTED
Provide direction to staff if the city is interested to pursue funding sources and/or parrners for the
acquisition of the Houlton property that is currently for sale.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Staff was approached by Dotseth Realty Inc. inquiring if the city is interested in purchasing the Houlton
property. The GIS map indicates the full property is about 315 acres of which about 36-acres or 11.4% of
the property sits out of the flood zone. Attached are three maps of the Houlton property. Exhibit A is
the location map. Exhibit B is the property map. Exhibit C is the 100-year floodplain map. Exhibit D is
the Comprehensive Park Plan.
Staff met with Sarah Strommen from the MN Land Trust and Steve Hobbs from the Federal
Conservation Fund. They axe very interested to assist the city with the acquisition of the Houlton
property. The DNR has also indicated an interest to assist the city in obtaining funding sources to
acquire the property. They do not seem interested in directly acquiring the property at this time. The
county and state are possible parrners.
The main interest in the property is the potential for a trail system along the Mississippi River as indicated
on the Comprehensive Park Plan. Possible active recreation includes cross country skiing, snow shoeing,
disc golf, and community races. The property is a strong candidate for a conservation site or it could be
used for a balance of both passive and active recreation.
The Parks and Recreation Commission did discuss the Houlton property at the April Commission
meeting. They expressed interest that the city pursue funding for the acquisition of the property. If the
property does become owned by the city, it is recommended that it continue to be farm land as a revenue
source until a park plan is developed for the site. This would also minimize the maintenance
responsibilities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No direct financial obligation at this time, except for staff time to pursue funding sources for acquisition.
PnwEata ~r
N:\Public Bodies\Ciry Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\05-07-2012\Houlton Memo.docx `~~`
ATTACHMENTS
^ Exhibit A -Location Map
^ Exhibit B -Property Map
^ Exhibit C = Floodplain Map
^ Exhibit D -Comprehensive Park Plan
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
N:\Public Bodies\City Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\05-07-2012\Houlton Memo.docx
EXHIBIT A
e 0 6,000 Feet
ol:<k+lmer:
This drawb~g is neither a legally recorded map nor a
wrvey and K not intended to be used as one. This
drawing is a compilation of records, information, and data
kxated in various city, county, and state offkes, and
other sources affecting the area shown, and is to be used
for reference purposes only. The City of Elk River is not
responsible for any inaccuracies herein contained.
(..1'y G'
k_
ver
Houlton Property
Location Map
® BoRon & Menk, Inc -Web GIS
0 0
4
F
G1
~~
F,~
r~ ~~
.,
x.
>~"
~ ~'.
6 ~. _~
`lu
T, r t
r' ~ ~~, ` r F~ « ;
~~*. }
~ r
~ r~i~ y
~> ~ u
~ z
~' ' ; ~~~
~~` ~ ~ ~.
~::
~.
~ r~~
_ F __ f .
;d
~ „~ .
%, ~ ~~,
Y ~ ~;::
~ ~'~. ~
~ ' .. q~~
!y'. 4
~~_._ __...__~ ...__.._. Et'
^P~-~-q*
~"~`~:;
a, ...
~~~ ~~ c~ ~
R seat .~-. ^~^ ~ d ~ ~ ~' ~' ~.
o ~
~~~ ~~ Q, Z
~ S '9 °"
;q~x~3 ~ I° ~la ~ ~ N a M
8~~~~ ~ 3
~7
rn
`2
W
8
L ~ES.r
7 ~ ~~b e~~
y ffiffi x
$ o s
-:^~3r a a ~~°r ~
e
°~ ~ ~ i 3 ~ ~~~n~~
.,, ~ _
yp ~ ai !uu' ~~' ~ ~ ,~i ~s `' + $ ~ (+~ #~~ 3: , 9 '~ tita a "~' ~# r ~'y , !s ~ ..,~~ ` ~'
.~ k~yi k ~ >< p~ ° y,, "'C ' "~f.}'fe'd "~' Ft `~.,+d6 =. fir. ,G'~ y~+rfi ,-~-#.'~, w_ ~w r=
wiN3nvris»~vr r~ y~~"y~.a ~; '*~ ' ,~ ~}r,. ~'~` ~s.,. •° ~~. ~f r~ ~q~.~+wi
f T
T ~ 3-~ F + ~'~ t'"~` ~r`'N`~ ~ ~F ""`44 ~: ,. ~ ~ ! o A J.J~V' rt'_^Ah
~ _`
~~ .
t'~:
f;+
fir:
~5.
S~~ ,.ba:
•~6° s`
..
k
y.~ ..
~ ~'
*.:"
6 max,
~ ~ ~~
•
1:
1. iW
:
~ ~ S._ N
i :~
'
:.
a+
aZ y1
o.
S
F S
ara,
~ n
~
! ~'
W~ ~ .
~~
ui y~
~
.~ i +.
,
~~ ~
i
.~ ,t; ...~ +
~ , ~
1
y
~t
,y
~ .. ~ ~ d i F ~. Q K ~ - - ,~~, v G~ i % ~ ~ ~
i N\ '
y
N - W ( -C ~ '~~/
,¢ s _ ... •
/ry ~.,,
/ ~ _ ~