03-11-1996 Council Minutes2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WONUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 26,1996 (#12 Saga Kill Tax Forfeit Parcel Update - Continued) Patti Affeldt said the group would like to see tw o changes made to the original resolution. It was their reauest that the Citv Staff and the Citv Attomev both work to obtain the conveyance of the property to the City of Orono and asked that the Saga Hill Preservation Society be included in all discussions. The Council members voiced their disapproval of these changes. Jabbour noted the diflRculty in coming to decisions with a third party being involved. Goetten added that if the Council is in need of the City Attorney s advisement, they will ask for it. Callahan said he was opposed to passing a resolution but was interested in bringing the matter to a head. He noted that he would like to see progress made on the negotiations but is not willing to pay for the property. Callahan said the Council does not wish the matter to go on indefinitely and are asking Staff to reach some conclusion with the County at the upcoming meeting. Moorse commented that the County funds their tax forfeit department through these parcels. Jabbour reported that the mechanics are in place for the County to give land to a public entity if they so desire. Jabbour asked the City Attorney if the City had any rights towards the parcel. Barrett suid the statute states that when a property goes tax forfeit, it reverts to State ownership. 1 he County handles the administration for the distribution of the land and determines the best use of the land, whether public or private. It can be sold private on a first come, first serve basis, or conveyed by deed to a government emity for authorized public use. The County Board makes a recomenriation, along with input from the City, to the Commissioner of Revenue, who makes the ultimate decision on the disposition of the property. Barrett said when he spoke with the County, they requested a progress report on the Saga Hill Preservation Society ’s fund raising. He asked if there was any update. Jabbour noted that these were separate pieces of land. Callahan said it was his view that the tax forfeit land be obtained at no cost to the City. The City did apply for a separate grant to aid the Saga Hill group in raising funds to obtain the adjacent and contiguous piece of property Jabbour said the City would look most favorably into receiving the tax forfeit land if the Saga Hill group were successful in their attempt to acquire the adjoining parcel for open space. Patti Affeldt reported that the group is confident that they will succeed. She noted their recent alliance wiili the .American Swedish Institute in assisting their fund raising efforts. A couple of grants were said to have been leceived by the group. Irene Silber said the group preferred not to disclose details of their fund raising at this time. Jabbour said it was impossible to make plans without knowing the status of their fund raising efforts.