Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Proposed Ordinance to Accept Land Donation of 0 Mystic Street, Saint Paul to Ramsey County and to Convey the Donated Land as Parkland - Waive First Reading and Set Public Hearing Date
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Recommendation
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1. Waive the First Reading of the Proposed Ordinance to Accept Land Donation of 0 Mystic Street, Saint Paul to Ramsey County and to Convey the Donated Land as Parkland.
2. Set the Public Hearing date of April 9, 2024, at 9 a.m. or as soon as possible thereafter, in the Council Chambers, third floor of Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN, to afford the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed ordinance.
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Background and Rationale
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Ardella Ankrum is the fee owner of the property commonly known as “0 Mystic Street”, legally described as Lot 40, Block 9, and that part adjoining Lots 29 and 30, Block 9 of Lot A, Burlington Heights Division No. 2, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Ms. Ankrum is proposing a donation of the property to Ramsey County as parkland. The property is located along the Mississippi River bluff line south of Lower Afton Road and is bordered by two existing Mississippi River Bluff Protection Open Space properties (currently Battle Creek Regional Park property).
The subject property is a landlocked parcel of land approximately .263 acres in size and is undevelopable due to existing topographic conditions. A due diligence review was completed for the subject property including a title review, site inspections and property appraisal. The property appraisal valued the property at $14,300.
The Parks & Recreation department recommends approval for the donation of 0 Mystic Street to Ramsey County. In addition, the Parks & Recreation department recommends conveying 0 Mystic Street to parkland within Battle Creek Regional Park. This property is included in the Parks & Recreation department strategic acquisition plan for Battle Creek Regional Park and identified in the 2023 Battle Creek Regional Park Long-Range Plan Amendment. All cost associated with the land donation for 0 Mystic Street will be paid by Ramsey County totaling approximately $1,765 and consists of a land appraisal, title review, closing costs, and property taxes.
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Acquisition Costs
Purchase Price $ 0 (Donation)
Closing Costs (Estimated) $ 350
Property Appraisal $ 1,200
O & E Title Report $ 75
Taxes $ 140
Total $1,765
The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.01 requires that certain acts of the Ramsey County Board shall be by ordinance, including 5.01.A.7 (“Convey or lease, or authorize the conveyance or lease of any park of lands of the County”). Although 5.01 is silent regarding real property acquisitions of park land pursuant to donation/gift, Section 5.04.A.8 specifically excludes “park land acquired by gift” from acts of the County Board pursuant to Resolution. Therefore, the appropriate procedure in this instance is by Ordinance under 5.01.
The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.02 states each proposed ordinance shall receive two readings: first, at the time it is presented, and second, at the time of the public hearing as required by law. Both readings may be waived if a copy of the ordinance is supplied to each member of the County Board prior to its introduction. In accordance with these requirements, the proposed Land Donation Ordinance was provided to each commissioner prior to its introduction on March 19, 2024. Therefore, the first reading may be waived by duly made motion and majority vote.
The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.02 states that every proposed ordinance shall hold a public hearing as required by law. A notification of the public hearing, which includes the draft ordinance will be publicized in advance of the public hearing.
This action sets the date of the Public Hearing as April 9, 2024, at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Council Chambers. Persons who intend to testify are encouraged to sign up online at ramseycounty.us/chiefclerk or contact the Chief Clerk at 651-266-9200 prior to April 9, 2024. If in-person testimony is not feasible, comments may alternatively be provided via the following methods:
• Email: chiefclerk@ramseycounty.us
• Phone 651-266-9200
• Written letter to: Chief Clerk, 15 West Kellogg Blvd, 250 Courthouse, Saint Paul, MN 55102
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Land acquisition of this property will improve the overall public access into this section of Battle Creek Regional Park (aka. Mississippi Bluff Protection Open Space) in addition to providing natural resource protection of the bluff line along Highway 61. The surrounding neighborhoods are very diverse with approximately 67% people of color consisting of Black/African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino populations. This property acquisition promotes outcomes of the 21st Century Park initiative for public access to park and recreation facilities, natural environments, and promotes climate action goals for protection of natural resources and canopy protection for a reduction of heat zones in urban areas.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Although there was no community participation for this land donation, this property was previously identified for potential acquisition as part of a 2020 Metropolitan Council process for regional park and trail system additions in 2020 and within the 2023 Battle Creek Regional Park Long-Range Plan. The development of the 2023 Battle Creek Regional Park Long-Range Plan included a robust community engagement process to reach as wide of an audience as possible, while also focusing on an equitable approach through a selection of engagement sessions in order to reach as racially diverse audience as possible.
Engagement material and community notifications for the 2023 Battle Creek Long-range plan were available in multiple languages to maximize awareness and engagement opportunities. To ensure opinions of a racially diverse audience were included in the master plan, Parks & Recreation held pop-up meetings at various community festivals, events, and at reservations made at the Battle Creek Regional Park pavilion. The Battle Creek Regional Park Long-Range plan can be viewed and downloaded at: <https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/parks-recreation/planning-construction-restoration/battle-creek-regional-park-master-plan>
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The total acquisition cost for the property donation at 0 Mystic Street, Saint Paul is $1,765. Funding for the acquisition includes $1,765 from the 2024 Parks budget. The Parks and Recreation department will provide ongoing land maintenance through Regional Parks and Open Spaces Operation & Maintenance funds. Operation and maintenance funding for regional parks and open spaces provides resources to implement maintenance and operation activities to the regional parks and trails within Ramsey County.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Proposed Ordinance
2. Proposed Schedule
3. Public Hearing Notice