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<br />City of Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan GEMLK 140643 <br />Page 105 <br />14.5.3 Utility bonds <br />A bond defrayed by the revenues derived from utility changes. <br />14.5.3.1 Transportation Equity Act (TEA21) Funds <br />In conjunction with the Twin Cities Metropolitan Planning Organization transportation <br />planning and programming, federal matching funds are available for transportation and <br />enhancement related projects. <br />14.5.3.2 Grants <br />A diminishing number of grants are available for specifically qualifying projects, such as <br />park and trail development, or utility improvements. <br />14.5.3.3 Loans <br />Revenues to repay the loans would have to come from one of the sources listed above, <br />or from some specific future equity position in the project. The general policy of public <br />financial assistance should be loan before grant, to keep the money working for the <br />community. <br />14.5.3.4 Donations <br />Private contributions given for general or specific purposes. A significant amount of <br />private wealth is anticipated to be passed to the next generation in the near future. <br />Having a policy in place for accepting donations would give security to donors, insure the <br />proper management of donated funds and, potentially, foster additional gifts. <br />Donations or grants could come from individual, businesses or non-profits. Funding <br />sources from other governmental jurisdictions are somewhat limited, and fall into the <br />above categories. However, other jurisdictions do make investment decisions affecting <br />the City and need to be considered in collateral requirements. Pathway and trail funding <br />would be a case in point. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Ramsey <br />County currently have primary jurisdiction when securing financial participation from <br />regional, state and federal government entities. Part of the implementation process <br />involves working with the various agencies and private interest groups to secure the <br />improvements, and to be prepared to provide local supporting action and investments. <br />14.5.4 Investment Purposes <br />Pubic investment purposes are broadening to include equity positions in some private <br />(but public purpose) property, such as affordable housing. In some cases, historically <br />public facilities are being converted into private or joint ventures with or without direct <br />lease payments to or from the municipality. These investments fall into general groups <br />that might be labeled as land acquisition, facilities acquisition and development projects. <br />There are also some limited incentive investments that are made to directly induce <br />private investment. Direct public investments would focus on land acquisition, public <br />improvements and community facilities. <br />14.5.5 Recent Capital Investments <br />The City of Gem Lake made its first capital investment in 2007-2008 in conjunction with <br />White Bear Township (WBT) in building a joint Gem Lake City Hall/WBT meeting room. <br />This facility is jointly maintained, with WBT handling the grounds and the City of Gem <br />Lake handling the building.