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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MAY 12, 2014 10 <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson estimated that the City would receive <br /> present value $85,000 over the life of the bond. <br /> Councilmember McClung stated that his first impression of this request was to support the <br /> matter. However, after reviewing Exhibit C in his agenda packet, he has concerns with the how <br /> the request has been made, in that the University of Northwestern is playing one entity against <br /> another to receive a better bond rate. <br /> Mayor Grant commented that the City does not know the amount of savings the University of <br /> Northwestern will receive by the proposed refinancing. <br /> Councilmember Holmes asked if the administrative rate charged by the City was reasonable. <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson reported that the percentage charged <br /> by the City of Arden Hills was the same as the rate charged by the City of Minneapolis. <br /> Councilmember Holden explained that the University of Northwestern was trying to reduce their <br /> financial burden and she believed that the City would take the same action. She recommended <br /> that the City support the college and their request. <br /> Councilmember Werner discussed the improvements the college will make to its campus. <br /> Mayor Grant questioned if the University of Northwestern could pay off their bonds early. <br /> Mr. Utley reported that this would be allowed. <br /> Further discussion ensued regarding the bond refinancing and interest rates. <br /> Mayor Grant inquired why the University of Northwestern was seeking bonds from another <br /> entity. <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson indicated that the City was only able <br /> to issue $10 million a year in Bank Qualified Tax Exempt Bonds. This led the University of <br /> Northwestern to pursue an alternative source in order to receive the total of$28 million in bonds. <br /> Mr. Utley reviewed new regulations that would require banks to have higher reserves for letters <br /> of credit. This would require that these bonds be refinanced, if not now, then in the near future. <br /> Mayor Grant did not believe that the University of Northwestern was saving that much through <br /> the proposed refinancing, while the City would be losing $85,000. <br /> Councilmember Holmes stated that the University of Northwestern was looking to save money <br /> while also meeting the new bank regulations. It was her opinion that it was in the City's best <br /> interest to support the refinancing as it would benefit the University of Northwestern in the long- <br /> run. <br />