Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Parcel C Easement Amendment 1 with the United States of America in the Rice Creek Regional Trail Corridor
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Recommendation
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1. Approve Easement Amendment 1 Agreement with the United States of America for Parcel C within the Rice Creek Regional Trail corridor.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Parcel C Easement Amendment 1 agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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On August 6, 2019, the United States of America through the Secretary of the Army and assistance from the General Service Administration (GSA) conveyed an easement (Easement No. DACA45-2-19-6017) to Ramsey County for Parcel C on former Twin City Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) property within the city of Arden Hills. This easement was for the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repair, removal, upgrade, and replacement of a public access road, trails, and utilities, such as but not to be limited to natural gas, water, electric power, and communications to support the development of the Rice Creek North Trail Long-range Plan and the development of the Primer Tracer Area (PTA), and related facilities. In addition, the Parcel C easement agreement identified development components such as a roadway extension and utilities to service the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS), PTA area, and park improvements identified with the Rice Creek Regional Park Long-range plan.
During August 2019 through October 2020, the Park & Recreation department constructed approximately 350-feet of roadway corridor including a 10-ton road, and stormwater facilities to provide access from County Road I to the AHATS facility. Other improvements within the Parcel C corridor were completed as a component of the easement such as fence relocation to secure the western most boundary line of AHATS and a gravel service road within the AHATS facility. The remaining section of roadway corridor through Parcel C to the PTA was not constructed since there was no development interest at that time.
During 2023, the GSA listed the PTA for sale through a public auction process for development interest. Late 2023, the Ramsey County received a notice from the GSA indicating SPQR Arden Hills, LLC (Developer) was selected as the purchaser for the PTA. The existing Parcel C easement contemplated that that the easement agreement would be amended to add the purchaser of the PTA as the sub-grantee. Accordingly, in early 2024, the GSA, Developer, and Ramsey County began working through a process to amend the existing Parcel C easement to add the Developer as the sub-grantee (aka PTA-Grantee) and set conditions for access and utility needs within Parcel C for the PTA. A 66-foot roadway corridor was established along the eastern boundary of Parcel C and will include necessary utilities such as water, sanitary sewer, and electric to service the PTA. Additionally, a 30’ utility corridor was identified on the northern edge of Parcel C along County Road I to extend utilities to the roadway corridor. A closing for the Developer’s purchase of the PTA has been scheduled between the GSA and Developer for May 31, 2024. The GSA and Developer have requested approval of the Parcel C Easement Amendment 1 Agreement prior to closing. Ramsey County and Developer will continue to work together on post-closing documents such as an Operation & Maintenance agreement and other potential easement needs for successful development of the PTA. The Operation & Maintenance Agreement will define interim access routes through Parcel C to the PTA until the road corridor is developed, timing for the development of the roadway corridor, cost shares between Ramsey County and Developer for roadway extension, stormwater management, and roadway corridor maintenance such as bituminous maintenance and repair, utility maintenance, vegetation maintenance, snow removal, and signage.
The GSA and Secretary of Army have consulted Ramsey County and Developer during preparation for the Parcel C Amendment 1 Agreement. Parks & Recreation have coordinated with the County Attorney’s Office, Public Works department, and Community & Economic Development department for preparation of Parcel C Amendment 1 Agreement to make sure all county interests are meet. A separate process for approval of post-closing PTA documents between Ramsey County and Developer will follow for successful development of the PTA.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This is a GSA led project for the PTA sale and access needs; however, this project will have a regional impact in addition to supporting an area that has a racial and ethnic makeup of approximately 33.6 % within the city of Arden Hills and surrounding areas. Development of the PTA will expand business opportunities within the city of Arden Hills, supports investments in the infrastructure of regional park systems, and supports county development interest for such as Rice Creek Commons. This investment in a quickly diversifying area will support the long-term wellbeing of communities of color and contribute to greater racial equity goals.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There was no county related community participation related to the Parcel C Easement Amendment 1 Agreement. This is a project led by the United States of America through the GSA and Secretary of Army for the sale of the PTA. However, a robust public engagement process for the development of a design concept and long-range plan document was conducted summer 2018 - 2019, which included the central section of the Rice Creek Regional Trail corridor adjacent to the PTA. The Parks department worked with the public to develop the graphic plan and draft master plan throughout this process. These documents were also available for a period of 30 days to gather additional input and feedback. Public engagement for the development of the Rice Creek North Regional Trail Long-range Plan including five public meetings, two online surveys, engagement with other local agencies and user groups, and other comments received.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There are no county costs for approval of the Parcel C Amendment 1 Agreement. Ramsey County and Developer will continue to work together on post-closing documents such as an Operation & Maintenance agreement and other potential easement needs for successful development of the PTA. The Operation & Maintenance Agreement will define interim access routes through Parcel C to the PTA until the road corridor is developed, timing for the development of the roadway corridor, cost shares between Ramsey County and Developer for roadway extension, stormwater management, and roadway corridor maintenance such as bituminous maintenance and repair, utility maintenance, vegetation maintenance, snow removal, and signage. A separate process for approval of post-closing PTA documents between Ramsey County and Developer will take place at a later time. Parks & Recreation will coordinate with Finance for costs relating to a future Operation & Maintenance agreement between Ramsey County and Developer during the post-closing process.
Last Previous Action
On June 23, 2015, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a recreational access easement for park access use on Parcel C (Resolution B2015-214).
Attachments
1. Parcel C Easement Amendment 1 Agreement with Exhibits