Woodbury Council approves property acquisition with funding debate
The Woodbury City Council unanimously approved the Economic Development Authority's purchase of property at 8130 Aftton Road on August 27, though council members disagreed about how the land should ultimately be used and which city funds should pay for it.
The council voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 26-02, authorizing the property acquisition using Economic Development Authority (EDA) funds. However, Council Member Wilson raised concerns during the discussion, questioning why EDA money was being used instead of park dedication funds—money developers pay when building new projects to offset impacts on public spaces.
Wilson expressed a preference for the property to become park and open space rather than potentially being developed for other uses like housing. He noted that park dedication funds seemed like a more appropriate funding source. City staff and Mayor Bert countered that using EDA funds provided more flexibility for future planning decisions about the property's "highest and best use," while park dedication funds come with more restrictions on how they can be spent.
The council also unanimously approved two other Economic Development Authority items on the consent agenda. Council Member Wilson flagged a minor correction to the authority's financial statements—a $1 rounding error on the balance sheet that had been corrected before the vote.
The meeting also included recognition of Woodbury's Community Relations team, which won multiple Northern Lights Awards from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators, including "Communicator of the Year." The council received updates on various city projects, including water treatment plant construction, road rehabilitation work, and fiber internet installation. City officials also announced a full-scale emergency training exercise scheduled for September 8 at Tamarack Nature Center, warning residents to expect a large emergency responder presence and temporary area closures.
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Votes (2)
Approval of Economic Development Authority Consent Agenda Items 3A and 3B
Moved by Commissioner Morris [0:03:22] · Seconded by Unknown [0:03:25]
Council member Wilson made a comment regarding item 3B, the financial statements, noting a corrected balance sheet was provided due to a $1 rounding error. The items were discussed briefly before the vote.
Approval of Authority Property Acquisition of 8130 Aftton Road (EDA Item 3C)
Moved by Commissioner Wilson [0:08:44] · Seconded by Unknown [0:08:52]
Council member Wilson requested that item 3C be pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion. The discussion centered on the funding source for the property acquisition (EDA funds vs. park dedication funds) and the lack of a clear, pre-determined 'highest and best use' for the land. While Council member Wilson expressed a preference for it to become park and open space, staff and Mayor Bert emphasized using EDA funds for flexibility and the fact that other funding sources were more restricted or already allocated. The motion was to adopt Resolution 26-02.
Notable Quotes (4)
I'm sorry. You have a comment. Oh, not the minutes. I'm sorry. The financial statements on 3B. On 3B. Go ahead. So, you do have in front of you of corrected um I did find a rounding error of $1. So, we did produce a corrected sheet, a balance sheet for the EDA. So, I just want to make sure you you were aware of that.
I'm very happy to see that this is being um taken care of. Um I know we had discussed earlier uh maybe um I'm not I'm not sure how the EDA is getting involved in this as opposed to uh open space or parks or um uh give me something else parks. What do we when when the developers pay what's park dedication? [clears throat] Yeah, that kind of money being used for it. um as opposed to the EDA. Um I feel like the EDA puts it into just to be clear, I'm for this this resolution of take just taking care of this property and the amount my my question is where the money is coming from. I would like to see it have come from park dedication um as opposed to the EDA.
I'll just add a comment that I think we have not yet as a body determined the highest and best use for this property. Right now there are funds available in the EDA to purchase this. At some point when there is a policy decision on what happens with this property then does it become park dedication or does it become something else and we're just we're not at that point yet. The transaction opportunity came available. This is the timing for it.
And Mayor Bird if I may add the funds in the EDR are are eligible for this type of purchase. some of the other funding sources that we talked about are more restricted or just are already spoken for essentially throughout for future park projects. So we feel like this was the best for the city and also will give us the flexibility after a plan an engagement process has been completed to determine what it ultimately is going to be used for.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Resolution authorizing the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest of the property located at 8130 Aftton Road.
Contract between Flock and the city agency regarding data use and access for license plate readers.
Destination Woodbury's strategic plan outlining goals from 2022 to 2024.
First-ever guide launched in 2025 by Destination Woodbury to attract visitors.
Map brought back and funded by Destination Woodbury after a number of years.
Newsletter mentioned as a recipient of an MAGC award for updated design and a channel for ALPR information.
Message of goodwill and hope issued by the Baha'is of the United States on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration.
Plans tested through full-scale public safety exercises.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Authority Property Acquisition (8130 Aftton Road)
Recognition of City Communications Team
Destination Woodbury Marketing Update
Public Concerns on Automated License Plate Readers (Flock Cameras)
City Transportation and Construction Projects
Public Safety Training Exercise Announcement
Woodbury Days Promotion
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