9/10/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r _ � Commission direct staff to pursue a level of ownership that would _ guarantee ownership in perpetuity. Commissioner Macht felt, after talking to some of our legislators, there may be a possibility of legislative relief on this. On that basis and in view of the type and nature of this property, he would move to approve staff's recommendation. - MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Macht, SECONDED by Commissioner Eggert, to approve staff's recommendation and pursue ownership of the property through legislature. Under discussion, Commissioner Eggert stated she would like to go for the right of first purchase if the State ever decided to go through the surplus property process. She doubted that they ever would, but she felt we should do whatever we can just to back it up. Attorney Vitunac advised that his office is comfortable that the 50 -year lease protects the interests for which the bond was passed. As Commissioner Macht said, the committee, Chairman Adams and State Representative Charles Sembler have been exploring 3 or 4 other avenues that would give us the desired perpetuity, but we don't want to derail this purchase while we work on that. Commissioner Tippin supported the Motion because he did not believe the State would turn that property into a monkey show after 50 years. Chairman Adams felt this is one of the most significant properties the County will acquire overall and one that will be an incredible asset to this county. She was delighted that this was rehashed and brought back because we need to seize the moment, close this, and move ahead. She cautioned that the acquisition of the Fischer tract is right behind this and it is exactly the same type of purchase. We have the opportunity to go back and work with State staff to do an amendment to this that would at least give us the first right of refusal if the State ever decides to surplus that property. Chairman Adams stressed that it gives us a double hold on our control of that property for half of our investment. She believed it is a win, win situation. State staff has indicated a willingness to work with us on both an amendment and the Fischer tract. She felt those are very positive signs that they want to be as committed as we are. One of the reasons she has been apprehensive on this is that she didn't want the pressure on this to jeopardize the Coraci piece that is in the surplus process. Commissioner Bird cautioned that the right of first refusal to 51 September 10, 1996 BSEXY71