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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,January 12, 2015 <br /> Page 12 <br /> ward recommending that the City determine if other developers are interested in <br /> doing a similar development as that proposed by GMHC. <br /> Councilmember Willmus thanked City Manager Trudgeon for his update and ex- <br /> planation; and expressed his concern with the overall process and consequences <br /> of the predevelopment agreement lapsing. While several actions had come before <br /> the City Council during the process, Councilmember Willmus opined the silver <br /> lining, if there is one, was that the City retained control over and title to the prop- <br /> erty and other parties were not yet involved, which could have resulted in some <br /> major issues. Councilmember Willmus stated that something to be learned from <br /> this process for the City Council, the HRA and staff was the need to stay on top of <br /> these things, whether it had been extension of the predevelopment agreement by <br /> the HRA; or going forward what measures or stop gaps could be put in place to <br /> call attention to issues periodically through such a process, or flagging certain <br /> dates to provide that periodic review. <br /> City Manager Trudgeon concurred that, certainly on staff's part, assurances of <br /> certain dates and better project management, as well as more frequent updates <br /> with the City Council, were called for. As one option, Mr. Trudgeon suggested a <br /> report by a representative of the HRA at each City Council meeting to check-in on <br /> a process, and/or clear documentation of dates and information and updates avail- <br /> able to the public throughout that process, essentially a series of checks and bal- <br /> ances. Mr. Trudgeon noted that this project could serve as a learning experience, <br /> and expressed his thankfulness that no lasting repercussions resulted from this de- <br /> lay; however, he duly noted the points brought up about the failure of the process <br /> in this case. <br /> At the request of Councilmember Willmus, City Manager Trudgeon, confirmed <br /> that the public would also have an opportunity to weigh in at the HRA meeting if <br /> they chose to do so. <br /> While realizing that the delay was problematic, Councilmember McGehee stated <br /> her assumptions that the HRA was following it closely. Councilmember McGe- <br /> hee expressed her thankfulness that the City owned the land; and while having <br /> participated in the public meetings, opined that it remained a good project with <br /> neighborhood support. While also understanding that the financing was holding <br /> up the project, Councilmember McGehee referenced her understanding from the <br /> residential and commercial community that appraisals were delayed across the <br /> board from lending institutions at this time as the economy continued to rebound. <br /> Councilmember McGehee expressed her support of the GMHC proposal, and <br /> looked forward to the recommendation of the HRA from their upcoming meeting. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte expressed her disagreement with her colleagues, opin- <br /> ing that the HRA did not follow this project closely enough; and expressed her <br /> hope that they paid much closer attention in the future. As a regular viewer of <br />