Hey Sartell, ready to lose millions?

Michael Burzette

Sartell citizen and

former Park Board member

3 members of Sartell City Council appear to be ready to give away property we all own for a price potentially millions below its value!

Check this out:

1. Pine Cone Central Park was bought for around $3.5 million dollars in 2008 for dedicated Park land
2. Three City Council members want to sell approximately half of the Park land {81 acres} now to a developer for $426,000.
   1. The city will pay a termination fee of $60,000 to current operators of the golf course for a net to Sartell of $366,000!!
   2. According to Realty Trac the Median price of a home sold in Sartell in April 2023 was $300,000.
   3. Listings for acres suggest prime acreage in Sartell can sell in a range of $60,000 on up per acre.
   4. At the low rate could this land be worth in the neighborhood of close to $5,000,000 on up?
   5. There has been little to no public input sought on this topic and you have a right to share with these Council Members and the City Administrator your thoughts on this transaction:

Anna Gruber: City administrator: anna.gruber@sartellmn.com

Jill Smith: jill.smith@sartellmn.com

Tim Elness: tim.elness@sartellmn.com

Alex Lewandowski: alex.lewandowski@sartellmn.com

Questions you may ask include:

1. Why so cheap?
2. Why now?
3. Who is the developer and why them?
4. Was there a bid process for all developers to have a shot at this property?
5. What transparency has there been?
6. Can they legally sell this property after it was purchased using sales tax dollars designated for Regional Amenities?

The council is looking at voting on this purchase at the 6 p.m. Monday, May 22 City Council meeting. This is an open meeting so feel free to attend.