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City Council Regular Meeting - 12/18/06 Minutes - Page 12 requests that would be initiated by this project. Councilmember Pust noted that she needed to consider if there was a way to structure this to come up with a plan or proposal to increase opportunities for others in similar circumstances; and noted that the "money isn't just sitting there," and the City would need to assume a new role and implement a new program, since the City Council wasn't generally in the business of loaning out money; and considerations of what the majority of the taxpayers in the community would want done; and what other needs were in the community that could and should be met through an HIA program. Councilmember Pust expressed her appreciatIon for the presentations of the Association President to-date; for the points made in her written statement; and for the research provided by the association and staff to-date. Mr. Lindberg noted that the HIA Statute had a closing date of 2009; and questioned why the money was sitting there and not being used. Ms. Bennett and Councilmember Pust clarified that there was no "money sitting there;" and that the Statute was a tool to provide public funds, and a way to pay back the money to the City, but didn't address how to obtain the money, and that the City would need to find a way to come up with the money for the project. Councilmember Pust advised that the rationale for the six month analysis period was to determine a source of funds; address other needs; and study how the pay back would work. Mr. Lindberg expressed his appreciation for the Council's consideration; opining that "we do need help," and "we're a beautiful part of this City, and we want to remain so." Councilmember Pust recognized the association's financial difficulties, and that they had every right to seek assistance through the HIA program. Councilmember Kough reiterated his support of the funding.