05-03-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--May 3, 1999 1974 Commissioners selected a site prior to the election in the area of 34th Street and 4th Avenue South, and there are two parcels of land for sale in this area. One site is owned by E & D Development and contains 20.89 acres at a cost of $71 0,000. The other site is owned by Cedar Crest Development and contains 20 acres at a cost of $640,000. Michael Montplaisir, County Auditor, and Bonnie Johnson, County Coordinator, said either parcel is acceptable, and they talked about siting of the facility and cost of special assessments on each. The architect also said they can work with either site. Discussion followed by the Board. It was noted that a second access could be provided on the land owned by E & D Development but there is only one access to the Cedar Crest Development property. Representatives of both properties were present and given an opportunity to address the Board. Wane Engkjer, of E & D Development, said he is willing to retain Lot 1, Block 6, containing 2.78 acres next to the legal drain, if the County felt they did not need all of the parcel and want to lower the purchase price, which would then be $615,740. Sheriff Don Rudnick was asked for his preference on the two sites, and he originally thought they were so similar that it didn't matter. However, he now favors the site of E & D Development because of the additional access. Mr. Koenig favored the Cedar Crest Development property because the cost is less. Other Commissioners expressed a preference for the E & D property because of the additional access for future expansion. Mr. Van Raden was also willing to sell fewer acres of the Cedar Crest land in order to reduce the county's total purchase price, if that is a factor. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to purchase E & D Development property of approximately 20.89 acres at a cost of $710,000 located on 34th Street between 4th Avenue South and Westrac Drive; with uncertified specials being split according to City of Fargo policies; with 1998 real estate taxes being the responsibility of the seller and the 1999 real estate taxes being pro-rated to the date of closing; and, to direct the State's Attorney to prepare the appropriate documents. Discussion: The Board continued to discuss pros and cons of the two parcels of land and the cost of each property. AMENDED MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to amend the motion to purchase E & D Development property of approximately 18.11 acres, excluding 2.78 acres described as Lot 1, Block 6, at a cost of $615,740. On roll call vote, the amended motion carried unanimously. At the call for the question and upon roll call vote, the main motion carried unanimously. 12. FLOOD UPDATE, Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation contract amendment Irv Rustad, Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation, provided a hand-out on income and expenses of the flood buy-out program from the 1997 spring flood. He said authorization was given to purchase 51 homes, and 49 have been purchased to date.