CC_Minutes_2008_0317 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, March 17, 2008 Page 16 • Mayor Klausing spoke in support of the motion; opining that there was a clear and important distinction in that the facility was sectarian, but the purpose of the City serving to provide conduit financing to obtain lower interest rates for tax-exempt bonds was a separate issue; and expressed his confidence in support of the project, and the legal opinion of the City's bond counsel and their conservative analysis; further noting the value and justification of the school and educational facilities in the community. Councilmember Ihlan spoke against the motion; and reminded Mayor Klausing of a previous vote in a similar situation for use of conduit funding for Northwestern College for dormitories, and his vote against that bond issue. Councilmember Ih- lan questioned the Mayor's rationale in supporting this bond issue. Mayor Klausing responded to Councilmember Ihlan, acknowledging that he did vote against that issue, based on his early tenure and inexperience on the City Council, and lack of understanding on conduit financing. Mayor Klausing also noted that the City's bond counsel at that time had declined to provide an opinion. Mayor Klausing advised that he had learned that his previous overly-rigid ap- proach was not always prudent, and had since tried to adopt a more flexible ap- proach. • Councilmember Roe spoke in support of the motion; opining that, while he was not an expert in determining which institutions qualified and which didn't, and who should or should not receive tax-exempt financing, he supported a standard that was fair and supportable across the board, not serving as a political choice for funding. Councilmember Roe further opined that, if the City's bond counsel rec- ommended that it was appropriate to provide bonds, and they were willing to stand behind their opinion, taking a tremendous risk on their own, he was confi- dent in their recommendation. Ayes: Pust; Roe; and Klausing. Nays: Ihlan. Motion Carried. Roll Call Recess Mayor Klausing briefly recessed the meeting at 8:15 p.m. and reconvened at 8:21 p.m. 12. Business Items - Presentation/Discussion a. Council Discussion of City Council Vacancies Mayor Klausing recognized Councilmember Tom Kough's wife, Carol Kough, who wished to address the City Council on behalf of Councilmember Kough on this item. . Ms. Kough noted that Tom would very much like to be attending, and was keep- ing up-to-date by reading the Council agendas, and viewing video tapes of meet-