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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 08, 2008 Page 15 Councilmember Ihlan reiterated her concern that equal opportunity be provided; and expressed her preference that additional time for follow-up and to determine actual documents for review be provided, noting that there were additional docu- ments that she has yet to receive. Councilmember Ihlan opined that the City Council had the responsibility to look into the complaints as raised by Mr. Cann and tenants; and determine what role the City Council needed to play in investiga- tion of the allegations and action to move forward. Mayor Klausing suggested that the City Council may have a better sense of their role and future actions, if any, after hearing from all parties. Councilmember Ihlan again reiterated the need to hear from all parties present. Finance Director Miller advised that staff had invited Centennial Gardens Apart- ments owners to the meeting, since staff had no information as to the allegations raised at the previous meeting; better sense of what we need after hearing from people and asked them to share dialogue with residents, and to explain their ac- tions to-date; and provide information as to their compliance with affordability is- sues. Mr. Miller advised that it was staff's intent to use that information as a starting point for the City Council discussion to follow. Mr. Terry McGillis, General Partner, Gardens East Limited Partnership (developer/owner) Mr. McGillis advised Councilmembers that he and fellow representatives were here to answer questions of the City Council, not to make a presentation. Mr. McGillis briefly reviewed the bond issue process; the copious documents ap- proved; restrictions on the developers based on federal and state law; the devel- oper's engagement of legal counsel and respected consultants in their industry to ensure that they were following guidelines; and noted that applications from ten- ants were reviewed by on-site staff, central management, as well as their consult- ants. Mr. McGillis advised that if there were any questions on a tenant's qualifi- cations, they sought further counsel from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), who was charged with monitoring the developer's compliance, and ul- timate qualification for tax credits, which also required a third party independent audit. Mr. McGillis advised, for the public record, that in his experience and in- volvement with the nursing home and security industries, he was aware of no more regulatory program than this one; and noted the number of staff hired to en- sure compliance with the program. Mr. McGillis expressed concern with various letters being distributed and accusa- tions, based on misinformation, and questioned whether the City Council wished to become involved in tenant/landlord issues, or whether the courts were a better