4.3. SR 01-22-2001City of
River MEMORANDUM
Item# 4.3,
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Michele McPhersor~rector of Planning
January 22, 2001
Authorize Park Land Negotiation with Grace Assembly of God
Church
Request
The Park and Recreation Commission requests that the Council authorize staff to
begin negotiations for the purchase of up to 10 acres of land from the Grace
Assembly of God Church.
Attachments
· December 19, 2000 Letter from Grace Assembly of God Church
· Location Map
· June 14, 2000 Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Analysis
In June 2000, staff and representatives of the Park and Recreation Commission
met with Pastor Mike Olson from the Grace Assembly of God Church. Pastor
Olson requested the meeting. The purpose of that June meeting was to discuss
the possibility of the City of Elk River purchasing up to 10 acres of land from the
church for the development of the park. The church property is located directly
east of the Royal Oaks Ridge subdivision. It is located near an area where there
is very little parkland to service residents. A vacant parcel to the north offers
additional opportunities for land acquisition through the subdivision process. At
their June 2000, the Commission concurred that this would be a desirable
location for a city park.
On December 19, 2000, Grace Assembly of God Church submitted a letter,
offering up to 10 acres of land for sale to the City of Elk River for park purposes
at a price of $14,500 per acre. The Commission considered this letter at its
January 10, 2001 meeting and voted unanimously to recommend to the City
Council that they authorize staff to begin negotiations for park property with the
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420 · Fax (763) 441-7425
Memo to Mayor & Council
Grace Assembly of God Property
January 22, 2001
Page 2
church. The Commission indicated that they would like to be included in the
negotiations.
Recommendation
The Park and Recreation Commission and staff recommend that the City Council
authorize staff to begin negotiations with Grace Assembly of God Church for the
purchase of up to 10 acres of parkland at $14,500 per acre.
S:\PLANNING~'VllCHMC\CCREPRTS\GRACE.DOC
GRACE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
P.O. Box 58
16820 Highway 10
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 241-1111
fax: (763) 241-2031
SENIOR PASTOR
Mike & Jolene Olson
phone: (763) 441-703~
pager: (612) 961-5601
STAFF
Brent & Lori Moen
phone: (763) 441-7004
pager'. (612) 987-9876
Todd & Neomi Heiges
phone: (763) 751-0231
Tuesday, December 19, 2000
Steve Wensman
City of Elk River
Park and Recreation Board
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear Steve,
]:n response to our conversation, this past summer, regarding the Land owned by Grace
Assembly of God in Eastern Elk River, we would like to make the following proposal.
Grace Assembly of God, would like to offer 10 acres for sale to the City of Elk River, as park
land. We would like to offer this land at the price of $14,500.00 per acre. The exact
location of the 10 acres would be subject to a mutually agreed upon parcel boundary. As
well this transaction is subject to the approval of the voting membership of Grace Assembly
of God.
We welcome your Consideration regarding this offer, and look forward to hearing from you.
Pastor Mike Olson
On behalf of
The Church Board of Grace Assembly of God
Pr¢?arin~ ~¢ wash I~aia~ +0:5 - :~
HILL~D£
City of
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330
LOCATION
· MAP
lver
CASE: Grace Assembly of God
N
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
June 14, 2000
Page 4
COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
8-0.
CommisSioner Reitsma left at this time (approximately 8:00 p.m.0
9.B.2. Land Sale from Grace Assembly of God Church
Staff report by Michele McPherson. A video of the church property was shown at
this time, with staff describing the amenities of the site.
Chair Kuester asked why the church was interested in selling the property. Ms.
McPherson explained that this portion of the church property does not lend itself
to their needs.
Commissioner Dave Anderson stated that he had walked the land some time
ago and there was water in the ditch and in the Iow land.
Commissioner Dana Anderson stated that he supported acquisition of the
property, but he felt that price is the issue. He recalled that the Park and
Recreation discussed this property in the past.
COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT STAFF PROCEED WITH
NEGOTIATIONS WITH GRACE ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH TO ACQUIRE UP TO TEN
ACRES OF PROPERTY FOR PARK LAND. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Commissioner Dave Anderson asked that staff research previous Park and
Recreation Commission minutes for the discussion on a trail corridor through this
property.
9.B.3. Request by Brookstone, Inc. to Waive Park Dedication Fees
Michele McPherson explained that Brookstone, Inc. has requested that the City
waive $63,940 in park dedication fees which are required as part of the final plat
for the east Elk River Business Park.
The Commissioners discussed this issue and were in favor of collecting all park
dedication fees for this plat. Chair Kuester encouraged all Commissioners to
attend the June 19th City Council meeting to support their position.
COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL UPHOLD THE CITY'S PARK DEDICATION ORDINANCE FOR PAYMENT OF
PARK DEDICATION FEES, AND DENY THE REQUEST BY BROOKSTONE, INC., AND ALL
FUTURE REQUESTS FOR WAIVING OF PARK DEDICATION FEES, BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING:
· THE PARK DEDICATION ORDINANCE WAS THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED BY THE
COMMISSION AND STAFF;
· THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRESENTED THE ORDINANCE TO THE
CITY COUNCIL WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL;
· THE ORDINANCE WAS FORMALLY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL;