01-08-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CK Y COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 11,1995 (#18) SAGA HILL TAX FORFEIT PROPERTY Moorse reviewed the process the City followed regarding the 9-acre tax forfeit parcel on Saga Hill nuule available to public jurisdictions. The City of Orono indicated it's interest in acquiring the property at no cost. In a recent meeting with the County, Moorse said the County suggested that 9 acres was too large a parcel to obtain at no cost. The County would like to allow the City to acquire 4-1/2 acres at no cost with the remaining sold to the City of Orono or another private party at market value. Moorse said he spoke to the County on the difficulty in developing the land and gaining any type of access to it. The resolution of this parcel is now on hold. The County has suggested the City extend the hold on the 4+ acres and allow the hold to be released from the other 4+ acres. The County is awaiting a letter from the City regarding this hold. Moorse said the Staff recommends the letter be sent but in regard to the entire 9 acres with the reasons stated why the County should consider allowing the City to acquire the entire parcel for public use at no cost. Goetten asked where the standard was coming from regarding this change in the disposition of the property. Moorse said he was unsure of the legality of who had the authority to retain property or request payment. Moorse said the Staff is acting under the idea that the County does not have this authority. Jabbour asked if the Saga Hill group was aware of this new determination. Moorse said they have not been informed but he would do so. Goetten asked what price the County was placing on this parcel of land. Moorse said he did not know but saw the market value as very low considering the problems with the land being landlocked. Goetten was concerned with the County changing their minds and wondered, "when a deal was a deal." Moorse said the City of Orono had indicated their interest in the land but no formal agreement had been completed. Goetten asked why the Citiy had not resolved the issue before this time. Moorse said the County had a hold on the property as they thought they would like to maintain a portion of it for mitigation. Goetten asked Moorse to question the County on the integrity of their actions. Callahan said he would like the Staff to ask for the entire 9-acre parcel. Callahan moved, Jabbour seconded, to extend the hold on the 9-acre parcel for tax forfeiture to March, 1996. Vote: Ayes 3, Nays 0.