HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.D.1. Donation of Property Adjacent to Huber Park
13. 0. /.
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
From: Jamie Polley, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director
Meeting Date: March 2, 2010
Subject: Donation of Property Adjacent to Huber Park
INTRODUCTION
The City Council is asked to discuss the donation of property adjacent to Huber Park as
requested by the property owner.
BACKGROUND
The parcel being donated is owned by Gary and Sherla Monnens and has been for sale
for a number of years. The parcel is located directly east of Huber Park on the corner of
Bluff Avenue and Market Street. The parcel is approximately one acre and is wooded
with high quality woodland and contains a natural spring. The area along Bluff St is flat
with a very steep slope on the northern half of the property but is for the most part
unbuildable. In the fall of 2008 the PRAB and the City Council discussed whether or not
the City should purchase the land. The conclusion in 2008 was to not purchase the land
due to insufficient funds in the Park Reserve Fund.
DISCUSSION
Gary and Sherla Monnens have submitted a letter seeking to donate the property to the
City (Attachment A). The letter requests that the City provide the Monnens with written
documentation indicating the date of the donation, the legal description of the property
being donated and the value of the property (recent assessed value is $95,000). The
Monnens also request that the property remain as public property and never be sold to
another party. If the City Council chooses to accept the donation the City attorney
should be directed to prepare the appropriate documentation.
In order to make the site usable a large amount of cleanup would be needed. The site
contains pieces of foundation, an extensive amount of brick, a large concrete tank from
the bait shop and invasive species such as buckthorn. Staff has indicated that much of
the cleanup could be done with the Sentence to Service program. The cost to the City
would include bringing in fill to prevent erosion of the site once it is free of debris. Staff
has contacted the DNR and it was indicated that bringing in fill to prevent erosion would
be allowed as long as all flood plain ordinance regulations are followed.
It is unknown what kinds of facilities were located on the property; therefore staff
recommends that the City conduct an environmental assessment prior to accepting the
donation. The environmental assessment would cost between $500 -$1000,and would
be the City's cost.
Acquisition of this property would add to the size of Huber Park and contains an
easement for the Department of Natural Resources Trail.
BUGDET IMPACT
The cost of the environmental assessment, cleanup, and fill would have minor impacts
on the City's budget compared to the gain of an acre of property adjacent to Huber Park.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City accept the donation of the parcel of land located on the
corner of Bluff Avenue and Market Street upon receiving an acceptable environmental
assessment.
ACTION REQUESTED
If the City Council concurs, it should direct staff to
1. Have performed an environmental assessment on the property.
2. Assuming no negative environmental issues are found, direct the City
Attorney to prepare the appropriate documentation for the donation of the
property adjacent to Huber Park to the City; and have that document brought
back to Council for final action.
3. Provide necessary documentation requested by the donors.
-A-\-TnCh meTI t -A
February 23, 2010
Shakopee Community Center
Jamie Polley, Director
Parks and Recreation
1255 Fuller Street .. - _. n .___
Shakopee,~ 55379
RE: Property ill: R279060451
Description: Sect-06 Twp-115 Range-022
.06AC
8 150' of Govt Lot 3 Boundvd on W. by Main 8t, on E. by Market
St & on S. by Bluff St.
Dear Jamie,
As per our previous conversations, my husband, Gary and I wish to donate our piece of
property listed above to the City of Shakopee, Parks and Recreation.
In discussing this matter with our tax professional, we will need a letter or documentation
from the City of Shakopee indicating the following:
1). Date of donation
2). Description of property being donated -legal description (listed above)
3). Value of property donated (Value of $951000 -100,000)
Also, as we previously discussed, we wish to have the City of Shakopee maintain
ownership of this piece ofland and not sell it to another party.
Thank you for your time. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me
c!lt)-4~6-1429.~ .
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2232 Vierling Drive E.
Shakopee,~ 55379
sherla12303@earthlink.net