05-26-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 11, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 20 of 22 Walsh asked Ms. Delaney to give the information to Staff so it could be part of the report for the packet so everyone could review it. Ms. Delaney agreed to do so. She said initially she included that in her letter to the City and then was discouraged by some people that know the history who said that City personnel would never read it all. It reads like an interesting novel. She is sure the City has records, too, because the City was copied on a lot of the documents. She said the City could do their research, she could give the City her research, the Club can give the City theirs, and they can go from there. She would be disappointed if any Council members decided to make a decision without knowing the history. Walsh stated that is why the matter was tabled. Ms. Delaney said she appreciates it and that she was freaking out on the other side. Seals told Ms. Delaney she did not need to freak out. Ms. Delaney asked if she should send the information in the form of an email to everyone. Walsh told Ms. Delaney to do so and asked her to copy the City Administrator so it could be included in the packet for the public record. Mr. Anderson said he has been dealing with Hennepin County on a bridge project for Tanager, and he told them from day one that whatever they take on one side of the road should be given back on the other side. Everyone agreed and said that sounded good. Then he found out they cannot give him the easement they are vacating; they have to vacate it to the City of Orono. He needs to find out if the City of Orono is going to give up the land to him that is now his property but Hennepin County has an easement on. He does not care what way the City goes, he just needs distinction, because if the City decides not to give it back to him, it is going to be a different number. He said if he does not have continuous shoreline there, it is a different situation for him getting a permit. Currently, he has a continuous shoreline; it goes from Tanager through the bridge, around his breakwater, and back to his office. He put the onus on Hennepin County and said if that is the truth, get it done. He stated he saw information from Mattick and thought it was going to come up at a meeting, but he has not seen it yet. He does not need a favor; he needs a resolution. They are taking property on the west side to put the bridge in to straighten it out. If the City does not want to give it back to him and cannot make that declaration now, then he is in different discussions with Hennepin County. He commented that maybe the City cannot do anything now. He stated he was going to sign a deal with them, and he has to subrogate to his lender. He told the County to give him the parameters of what they are working with so he can see it. They cannot give him the parameters on the side that they are going to give back to Orono. He has been upfront with them, and they have told him whatever they take on one side they will give back on the other side. He does not know what the City Attorney’s position is, but he is not going forward right now. He can live without it, but the number will be different. Walsh said the Council would have to defer to the City Attorney. Mattick said Edwards made him aware of Mr. Anderson’s negotiations with the County and the County’s position that if they vacate it, it comes to the City, and would the City be willing to vacate it once the City came into contact with the land. He stated he was unfamiliar with the County’s process. He thought the