Sartell City Council Approves Changes to Purchase Agreement with Three Tees LLC

(KNSI) — The Sartell City Council Monday night approved making changes to the purchase agreement with Three Tees LLC that incorporate some of the stipulations the group required back in May.

Administrator Anna Gruber explained to KNSI News the provision that would require a unanimous vote by a future council to allow a change from Pine Ridge Golf Course to another use could be legally challenged in court down the line.

“It’s essentially just a sentimental/aspirational measure to really drive the point home to any future council from this council, that they want 30 years of a golf course, and to not release it earlier. And so, really, essentially, we’re trying to make it as difficult as possible on that future council and I think they accomplished that with that language.”

Staff were tasked with other options to ensure the land remains a golf course. Gruber told us there are two primary options.

“You can either plat the property as a park, which is a recorded document. It’s similar to like a warranty deed. It’s on the property, it’s on the property forever. If it is ever removed and changed from a platted park, it goes back to the original owner, which would be the city.”

Sartell could choose instead to rezone it under a newly created park category. That would be easier to break but send an equally firm message. Gruber says she wants to discuss the issue with Three Tees LLC to determine what they are comfortable with. The stipulations could lead the group to withdraw from the purchase, but Gruber doesn’t see that happening.

In total, there were about 10 changes discussed at the meeting. One of the topics that generated the most conversation was about the current lease agreement between Boulder Ridge LLC and the city to operate the course. It will be dissolved one year after Three Tees closes on the deal, which is supposed to happen in January. Gruber tells KNSI the cancellation fee will be imposed in January 2025, and the city is responsible for paying.

“The city will put the funds in an escrow account, and that was accounted for as a part of the sale process. The city would be responsible for that as a part of the termination. It’s $10,000 per year, so essentially [were] terminating four years early.”

The fee will be required regardless of whether Three Tees and Boulder Ridge agree to keep Boulder Ridge running the course.

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