Title
Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Acceptance of a Land Donation at 1366 Fremont Ave from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in Lieu of Payment of Demolition Assessment, District 4, Ward 7
Body
WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (“HRA”) is a public body corporate and politic organized, existing, and operating under the laws of the State of Minnesota, Minn. Stat. Sec. 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development and redevelopment activities under the Act, and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in the Act, and said activities include but are not limited to: (a) providing adequate, safe and sanitary dwellings, remedying housing shortages for low and moderate income residents, and providing housing for persons of all incomes through housing projects and development, (b) removing and preventing blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) performing duties according to the comprehensive plan, (e) disposing of land for private redevelopment, and (f) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community; and
WHEREAS, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”) is the owner of vacant property at 1366 Fremont Avenue (the “Property”), in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with the legal description of Lots 7-9, Smith’s Subdivision of Block 14, Stinson’s Frances Street Addition to St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, and acquired the Property via a Sheriff’s Certificate following mortgage foreclosure; and
WHEREAS, the City received numerous reports of code violations between 2002 and 2023 and in 2023, the Department of Safety and Inspections demolished the house, garage, and other structures on the Property; the cost of the demolition was assessed and certified to Ramsey County in the amount of $44,460.68; and
WHEREAS, Wells Fargo contacted the City to ask if it would accept the Property as a donation in lieu of payment of the demolition assessment following the expiration of the foreclosure redemption period which said redemption period ended July 31, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Property is a vacant lot in an Urban Neighborhood with proximity to public transit and schools making the Property a desirable location for redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, the HRA may and is willing to accept the Property as a donation in lieu of payment of the assessment in accordance with the information provided in the staff report and enter into a donation agreement with Wells Fargo; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the HRA considered the proposal for the acceptance of the Property and by this resolution finds a public purpose for the acquisition of the Property via donation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota:
1. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes the acceptance of a vacant lot at 1366 Fremont Ave from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in accordance with the terms in the staff report.
2. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes the Executive Director to enter into a Donation Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. consistent with applicable requirements and terms herein.
3. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes staff, under the direction of the Executive Director, to take any other actions necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Resolution, including finalizing all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate the activities to be undertaken by this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
4. subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office and pursuant to applicable ordinances and bylaws, the only signature that shall be required on documents in connection with this Resolution is that of the Executive Director who
is hereby approved and authorized to execute all said documents and instruments, which shall be sufficient to bind the HRA to any legal obligations therein.
5. that this Resolution does not constitute a binding legal agreement; rather, the action taken herein shall not be effective until said documents are executed by the appropriate official(s) of the HRA.