11-14-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date: November 9, 2016 Item No.: 10 Department Approval: Administrator Approval: Agenda Section: Name: Michael P. Gaffron Y"_4 Planning Dept. Title: Senior Planner Item Description: Proposed Acquisition of Tax -Forfeit Parcel 35-118-23 410010 It was recently brought to the attention of staff that a property long thought to be owned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as part of the Wood -Rill Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) was listed by Hennepin County to be included in a tax -forfeit auction November 18. We believe that the current status as tax -forfeit land is due to errors that occurred 15 years ago and that the property should remain in public ownership. At the request of City staff the County has removed this parcel from the auction and has offered it to the City at the appraised nominal value of $1,000 plus transfer fees totaling a few hundred dollars. The property is approximately 5.7 acres in area and abuts the north side of the Luce Line Trail and the east side of Wayzata Boulevard. Currently appearing on MnDNR maps as part of Wood - Rill, the property was formerly owned by the City via tax forfeiture. Briefly, the history of this parcel is as follows: 1990 — City of Orono acquired the parcel from Hennepin County via a tax -forfeiture conveyance (Exhibit B). 1999 — In a letter (Exhibit C) dated 4/22/99 Lee Markell of MnDNR requested that MnDNR acquire the parcel for inclusion as part of Wood -Rill SNA, as it abuts the SNA as well as the Luce Line Trail. City of Orono took steps to release the parcel back to the State for MnDNR acquisition via Resolution No. 4340 adopted August 23, 1999 (Exhibit D). 2000 thru 2016 — Hennepin County property records (Exhibit E) continued to show the parcel as tax forfeit land — apparently the County or MnDNR or ??? did not follow through on the acquisition paperwork. In the meantime, MnDNR maps (Exhibit F) continue to show the parcel as part of Wood -Rill SNA. 2016 (October) — Hennepin County placed the parcel up for tax -forfeit auction, to be sold at auction November 18 (Exhibit G). City staff found out about this thru inquiries from potential purchasers in the last few weeks. 2016 (November) — Hennepin County Public Works is working towards gaining an easement over the parcel for trail connection purposes (Exhibit H) as part of the Highway 12 Turnback improvements. The easement would allow for a trail connection between Wayzata Boulevard and the Luce Line Trail. Whether the easement would be in place at the time of City re -acquisition is under discussion, but likely does not impact the City either way.