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<br />No public notification is needed. The volumc of mortgages and deeds being recorded keeps . <br />increasing (e.g., 30 to 40% this year over last year). This would provide an ongoing source of funds. <br /> <br />Pros <br />Ramsey County is limited by lack of resources in its ability to sponsor cleanups <br />and construction of affordable housing. An ERF could be used to fund County <br />Board priorities. <br />. While there are State and Metropolitan Council funds for the study and <br />remediation of Brownfields, there are gaps in funding some clean ups because of <br />the manner in which the State funds are allocated. Housing and small commercial <br />development projects are not funded, and an ERF could address these gaps. <br />. Ramsey County municipalities are dealing with cleanup, remediation issues and <br />could use financial assistance. <br />. This is an opportunity to obtain specific resources for a specific purpose. <br /> <br />Cons <br />This could be negatively perceived by taxpayers as another way to raise taxes. <br />. Ramsey County does not have a lot of experience in cleaning up contaminated <br />properties, and would either have to develop capacity or partner with others that <br />have experiencc. <br />. This is adding a new function. Will adequate staffing be available? <br /> <br />2. What should be the priorities for the ERF? <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Legislature has created the first priority, which is to clean up the Dale Street Shops <br />and Maxson Steel sites or other sites at or near rail lines that are blighted and the clean up <br />of which will1cad to living wage jobs, and to improve the land for economic <br />development. (See previous NOTE under Question #1 above.) <br /> <br />The legislature has also directed that the ERF should be used for any ofthe five purposes <br />listed below. Numbers 1-4 address how to use the funds to acquire, hold harmless, or <br />remediate property, whereas Number 5 addresses overall purposes for improving the <br />property. The County Board will need to determine which of these directed purposes the <br />Fnnd should be used for. One way to establish priorities would be to tie it to the County <br />Board goals. <br /> <br />Legislative Purposes for the ERF <br />I. Acquisition through purchase or condemnation of lands or property which are <br />pollutcd or contaminated with hazardous substances; <br />2. Paying the costs associated with indemnifying or holding harmless the entity taking <br />title to lands or property from any liability arising out of the ownership, remediation, <br />or use of the land or property; <br />3. Paying for the costs of remediating the acquired land or property; <br />4. Paying the costs associated with remediating lands or property which are polluted or <br />contaminated with hazardous substances; or <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />c2./ <br />