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<br />City Council Regular Meeting - 06/20/06 <br />Minutes - Page 3 <br /> <br />and the City Council's authority and their specific roles in tax <br />increment financing and creation of districts and Ms. Bennett <br />clarifying HRA limits of authority; but noting that the HRA was <br />seeking Council direction for a broad review and study of the <br />proposed project, in an effort to be cost-effective in utilizing <br />consultant expertise to consider the entire funding package for <br />consideration by the City Council. <br /> <br />Additional discussion included type of funding being considered; <br />whether it made sense to do an initial analysis, including a TIF <br />analysis at the same time to be more cost-effective; policy <br />considerations and financial perspectives; hiring by the HRA of a <br />consultant, and not using existing Community Development <br />Department staff due to their time constraints, and making <br />recommendation to the City Council related to policy issues and <br />overall funding considerations. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan spoke in opposition to the HRA attempting <br />to make TIF decisions when they were not an elected body; and <br />reiterated her opinion that the City Council needed to keep <br />control of TIF decision-making. <br /> <br />Chair Majerus clarified that the HRA was only offering to <br />provide the research for a future City Council decision in only an <br />advisory capacity. Commissioners further clarified that the HRA <br />would seek the expertise of Jim Casserly's office to provide an <br />overall, broad perspective. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing advised that the majority of the City Council <br />would welcome the HRA's perspective and analysis, noting that <br />it could help determine if the proposed residential project was a <br />legitimate use of public funds. Mayor Klausing further noted <br />that the City Council was the only statutory authority able to <br />create a TIF District; and that the City Council should take <br />advantage of this opportunity to receive information on the <br />overall financial considerations. <br /> <br />Further discussion included the proposed uses for the fonner <br />Mounds View School District site. Discussion included the <br />proposed developments; sensitivity to the neighborhood input; <br />potential for additional affordable housing; and the proposed <br />