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RHRA Meeting <br />Minutes – Monday, August 29, 2016 <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />Ingram noted each developer would bring forward a specific situation hoping <br />for negotiation; but if the REDA stated their minimum requirement was for <br />creation of ten new jobs even before the developer came before the REDA, the <br />city may lose developers with quality projects. <br /> <br />Member McGehee stated she had put a 3-4 job range, but agreed to move to <br />the creation of one job based on tonight’s discussion. However, Member <br />McGehee stated she wanted to ensure jobs were permanent or long-term and <br />that this message came across clearly to staff and developers. <br /> <br />President Roe agreed that, while the statutory language set a minimum number <br />for job creation, the REDA had other criteria in their policy that defined the <br />types of jobs it was interested in creating. <br /> <br />Ms. Kvilvang noted, under this category, the REDA could define a time period <br />for the developer to keep jobs in place (typically five years) or they would be <br />required to repay a portion of the subsidy provided by the city that would be <br />returned to the REDA. <br /> <br />Member Laliberte stated she didn’t feel rigid about the creation of ten jobs; and <br />for discussion purposes, expressed appreciation for the comments of her <br />colleagues in not needing to make a number of exceptions to the policy. <br /> <br />Ms. Kvilvang reminded the REDA that they were creating a policy, not a law <br />or ordinance, and therefore could deviate from that policy. While the statute <br />allowed for the REDA as a governing board to state their preference, Ms. <br />Kvilvang noted the REDA could deviate or change that policy at their <br />discretion based on specific projects. <br /> <br />Member Willmus put forward a suggestion to tie the REDA policy to creation <br />of a minimum of three jobs; with agreement from the Board without objection. <br /> <br />Value of Subsidy Per Job Created <br />Ms. Kvilvang stated Ehler’s proposal was that the REDA not limit subsidies to <br />a per-job amount. <br /> <br />Member Etten agreed with the advice of Ehler’s based on their expertise, <br />opining it was better not to tie jobs specifically to subsidies, with other criteria <br />available beyond jobs. Member Etten noted limiting subsidies to job creation <br />could hold back some preferred developments. <br /> <br />Member McGehee stated she thought the REDA should seek some good <br />paying jobs, but agreed to yield to the experience of Ehlers. <br /> <br />Member Laliberte advised she didn’t comment on this in the survey, as she <br />was seeking more discussion as tonight, and found it helpful. <br /> <br />