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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, Apri121, 2008 <br />Page 6 <br />they along in the land use approval process. The City is able to decline grant <br />awards throughout that process. <br />Councilmember Pust asked that staff include their time in making tonight's pres- <br />entation and any grant preparation time, to document the developer's obligation in <br />language of a negotiated MOU, since grant funds would represent money flowing <br />to private developers for their project. <br />Economic Development Associate Jamie Radel advised that staff was not com- <br />pleting the grant applications, nor would staff be responsible for periodic report- <br />ing on grant funds, with the MOU outlining those terms, indicating that the appli- <br />cant would perform those tasks and submit applications and reports to staff for re- <br />view prior to submission to granting agencies. <br />Mr. Trudgeon clarified that Cent Ventures was still working on securing tenants <br />for the property to the north; as well as CSM still working on putting together <br />their project, with only preliminary discussions held at the staff level to-date; <br />however, he noted that by the time of any grant awards (estimated in June of <br />2008), the projects should be much further along. <br />Councilmember Pust noted that the City had to turnback grant funds already for <br />previous Twin Lakes projects; opining that she didn't want the City to have to re- <br />peat the process, impacting the City's standing and credibility as a grant recipient. <br />Councilmember Ihlan shared Councilmember Pust's concerns; opining the need <br />to be clear with applicants that, even if grant funds are awarded, it doesn't guaran- <br />tee that their project will be approved if it doesn't meet land use criteria and proc- <br />esses; and to ensure that the City's interests and approval processes are stipulated <br />and protected in each MOU. <br />Mr. Trudgeon recognized that the City's credibility is paramount, and noted the <br />need for real projects moving forward. <br />Councilmember Pust opined the need to have all in order before the state made a <br />decision to award grant funds, to allow time for the City to rescind their applica- <br />tion prior to award to allow other worthy projects adequate consideration for <br />award. <br />Councilmember lhlan opined the need, in future policy making, to set a policy <br />that the City doesn't look favorably on this type of application unless the project <br />had received preliminary City Council review beforehand. <br />Councilmember Roe noted that, with past grant fund turnbacks, the funds had ac- <br />tually been accepted; where this one may be viewed differently if grant funds had <br />yet to be accepted. Related to a future policy decisions, Councilmember Roe <br />