Centerville Tidbits
Council Prepares For Easement Condemnation
At its meeting of Nov. 10, held a day early due to the Veterans Day holiday, the Centerville City Council authorized City Attorney Kurt Glaser to take the next steps to acquire easements along the city’s trail project so as to be prepared for spring when construction is due to begin.
According to City Administrator Dallas Larson, 20 easements are involved, including one owned by St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church. Th e smallest parcel is about 92 square feet; the largest, about 6,500 square feet, owned by R&R Leasing.
“Each property owner has received at least two notices,” Larson said, “but there may be a few left where we have to get the land commissioners involved [to determine fair market value].”
Mayor Mary Capra requested that homeowners receive one more “courtesy” call from city staff before the attorney files the condemnation request in court. “Obtaining these properties is one of the last pieces [we have to do] before moving ahead with construction,” Capra said.
“I understand why this needs to be done,” countered Council Member Linda Broussard Vickers. “Th is certainly meets the letter of the law, but I just have a problem with condemnation.”
The final vote was 4-1, Broussard Vickers dissenting, on a resolution to authorize condemnation of private property for public trail and sidewalk easements. Eminent domain would only be used, the resolution states, should individual parcels not be acquired through direct negotiation.
Patching On Sorel St. Authorized
A lack of pavement on Sorel St. for 3 or 4 years has “annoyed” St. Genevieve’s Church, Administrator Larson told council members, and council took steps on Nov. 10 to rectify the matter. “I think that’s been a real sore spot,” Larson said.
By a unanimous vote, council authorized the expenditure of up to $14,500 out of the city’s water fund to lay down a 32-foot-swath of pavement on Sorel St., subject to the city attorney’s final research and approval.
In other action, the council:
• In response to a request from Paul Keleher of Sedona Townhomes, LLC, unanimously approved the release of Sedona’s $173,000 letter of credit securing the development agreement for the Centerville Office Park addition following the completion of the turn lane on 20th Avenue N.
• In response to an inquiry by Anoka County, held discussion on the possible acquisition of Outlot B in Pheasant Marsh as a tax-forfeit parcel. The parcel, owned by the subdivision developer, surrounds the homes on Mallard Way and lies generally east of Centerville Road and north of Dupre Road. Council expressed concern that if the city did not acquire the parcel, someone else would—and the public trail that winds between those two roads behind the ponds could subsequently be in jeopardy.
Council voted 5-0 to indicate an interest in the parcel. The county will withhold the parcel from sale to the general public for a period not to exceed six months.