Lino Lakes Ledger
Resident Challenges Homeowner Association Fine
During the "open mike" session at the Lino Lakes City Council meeting on Nov. 13, resident Robert Goergen, of 531 Aqua Circle, pleaded with the council to allow him to fly his American flag as he has been.
Goergen quoted a bill that President George W. Bush signed barring condominium and homeowner associations from not allowing residents to fly the flag. The state of Minnesota passed a similar law on Aug. 1.
Goergen said he flew his flag and posted other lawn ornaments in the rocky area of his yard, where he believes he is allowed to do so. His homeowners' association fined him $25 for the lawn ornaments and asked him to remove the flag. He is allowed to fly the flag in a bracket attached near his garage door.
"I will not remove that flag; if I have to go to prison for it, I will go to prison for it, but I am not removing that flag," Goergen said.
Mayor John Bergeson told Goergen that the city attorney will obtain copies of the federal and state legislation.
"We'll work the with city administrator and communicate with the townhouse folks and so they know what the law is and make sure they comply," Bergeson said.
City Begins Reconveyance Process
Council held the first reading of Ordinance 12-06, reconveying back to the State of Minnesota a tax-forfeited parcel of land the city of Lino Lakes acquired from Anoka County in 2004.
The land, described as Outlot F, D Erickson 2nd Addition, was originally envisioned for a municipal well. However, according to city staff, it was not needed for that purpose. An adjacent landowner has inquired about purchasing the parcel. To make the property available for private purchase, it must first be reconveyed to the state. At that time, Anoka County will notify nearby property owners of its availability for purchase.
Development Contract Obligations Reassigned
By resolution, at its meeting of Nov. 13 the City Council unanimously approved the release of certain obligations entered into with Hartford Development, Inc. relative to Phase I of its Legacy at Woods Edge project. Those responsibilities have been assigned instead to Avalon Homes, which has purchased a portion of the development property with the intention of building townhomes. Hartford's original Contract for Private Development and Contract for Subdivision/Planned Unit Development with the city of Lino Lakes, dated December 21, 2004, acknowledged that the Hartford Group planned to sell certain portions of the project.
However, the developer will not be legally released until the city approves a site development agreement for Avalon Homes, Inc.