ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Before beginning efforts to build a new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins, St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly wants a promise from the team that it would come to his city if the ballot measure passes.

``This is not a slam dunk. There are still serious hurdles to overcome,'' Kelly said.

Kelly and the city council haven't settled on a stadium tax referendum date, which could be held in July at the earliest and no later than Sept. 30. Kelly said Tuesday he is seeking an exclusive arrangement with the team before he asks city residents to sign off on an extra 3 percent tax on bar and restaurant tabs.

Dave St. Peter, Twins senior vice president for business affairs, said the team was not prepared to reach an exclusive agreement with any city.

``At this point, the Twins remain in an exploratory stage in hopes of having more discussion with all municipalities that express an interest in building a ballpark,'' he said.

Gov. Jesse Ventura is expected to act Wednesday on the bill authorizing the state to sell $330 million in bonds for a ballpark.

The Twins are betting he'll sign it. Team officials announced Tuesday that fans who buy season tickets this season and subsequent years up to the stadium's targeted 2006 opening will get seating priority in the new ballpark.

Under the bill, the Twins need to pledge $120 million right away and pay at least $10 million in rent for 30 years. The city would kick in at least $12 million a year through the food and beverage tax and could spend up to $50 million on infrastructure.

St. Paul looks like the only city involved. Kelly has identified three potential stadium sites and has directed his staff to begin negotiating with the Twins.

The mayor said he spoke Tuesday with Jim Pohlad, the son of Twins owner Carl Pohlad, who is trying to sell the team. Details of the conversation weren't disclosed. Kelly also talked to Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who has been mentioned as a possible Twins buyer.

Taylor did not return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment on his interest in the Twins.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has said he doesn't plan a bid because the bill prevents the city from partnering with Hennepin County. The bill allows two or more cities to team up, which Rybak's office won't rule out.

``The city on its own is out of the game, but we're not giving up until the ballpark is built,'' said Laura Sether, a spokeswoman for Rybak.

Kelly faces his own challenges. In 1999, city voters rejected a stadium tax by a wide margin despite a $1 million campaign by the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce in favor of it.

Larry Dowell, the chamber president, said business leaders haven't devised a strategy or set a budget for a new referendum campaign. He also wants a pledge from the Twins first.

``I'm not going to spend other people's resources for something that is a `what if,''' he said.

Since the 1999 vote, St. Paul welcomed the Minnesota Wild to town. The Xcel Energy Center is consistently sold out and neighboring businesses have enjoyed a boost.

Groups opposed to the stadium tax are mobilizing again.

Tom Welna, owner of the Covington Inn, a St. Paul bed and breakfast, said a list of businesses opposed to the food and beverage tax increase now approaches 80. Leaders of that effort plan to meet with other grass-roots groups, Welna said.

``It's not the role of government to skim off the top of one industry and give to another,'' Welna said.