Title
Pertaining to the future use of land located just south of the historic Highland Water Tower, currently the site of an eighteen million gallon reservoir.
Body
WHEREAS, The Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul owns land just south of the historic Highland Water Tower which is currently the site of an eighteen million gallon reservoir (“Property”); and
WHEREAS, due to a decrease in water demand in the area serviced by the reservoir, the structure is no longer needed and was decommissioned over three years ago; and
WHEREAS, at its July 11, 2017 meeting, the Board directed staff to advertise a Request for Redevelopment to solicit public and private proposals for the future use of the Property which required letters of intent be submitted by September 8, 2017; and
WHEREAS, at its September 12, 2017 meeting, the Board reviewed the letters of intent and invited all entities to submit their full proposals by November 17, 2017; and
WHEREAS, at its October 10, 2017 meeting, the six Board members present unanimously affirmed the intent to retain ownership of the Property and directed staff to contact all entities submitting full proposals of this affirmation, thereby notifying all entities that would require a transfer of ownership of the Property that their proposal would not be considered; and
WHEREAS, at its November 14, 2017 meeting, the Board directed staff to notify all entities still interested in presenting proposals to do so in front of the Board at its December 12, 2017 meeting; and
WHEREAS, at its December 12, 2017 meeting, the Board heard proposals from five entities which included proposals from City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and/or Ramsey County Parks and Recreation for construction of public use facilities at the Property; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul agrees that there is a need and desire for additional park and recreation facilities at this location and that the Board directs staff to confer and negotiate with the City of Saint Paul and/or Ramsey County on a long term lease agreement for use of the Property for approval by the Board; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby direct staff to delay plans to demolish the reservoir until said lease agreement is approved and the funding for the construction of public park and recreation facilities is budgeted and approved by the appropriate public entity; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby direct staff to contact the entities whose proposals were heard by the Board at its December 12, 2017 meeting to thank them for their proposals and notify them of the Board’s decision; and, be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, an update from staff will be brought to the Board of Water Commissioners on or before March 2019.