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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 13, 2008 Page 15 Ms. Berry noted that while HarMar had originally been established by a local family, there had been other historical battles in its past (i.e., Cub Foods); and opined that due to the thriving retail community in Roseville, it did serve to pro- vide significant individual homeowner tax relief. Ms. Berry asked staff and City Councilmembers, if that tax balance and base were no longer prevalent, that they provide that information to the public. Ms. Berry noted that when people discussed being threatened by big box retail or a Costco store coming to the community, she reminded citizens that the Costco store was located in Maplewood. Ms. Berry opined that, while some residents have expressed their opinions regarding their wishes, 26 people did not represent a majority of the community; and asked that those listening at home apparently were satisfied with the status quo and the decision-making of the Planning Com- mission and City Council. Ms. Berry asked that, if those citizens were not satis- fied that they a-mail, call or otherwise contact their elected representatives. Ms. Berry opined that when the City Council appointed people to do a job, those peo- ple. cared about their community and did what they thought was best for the over- all community; and again expressed her concern in the false statements and accu- sations being made. Marsha Kreske Ms. Kreske opined that there was a lack of transparency in the system, and that facts spoke for themselves, and that there appeared to be a lack of follow-up or accountability of elected officials, causing people to go door-to-door. Ms. Kreske opined that the community needed to provide places where people can shop and play outside, and support green space where people could live and have high standards of living. Ms. Kreske further opined that, when the Metropolitan Coun- cil talked about communities, they were talking about the necessity for neighbor- hoods, not just big box stores; and that while retailers provided a tax base to lower taxes for. homeowners, there needed to be a balance and fairness. Ms. Kreske ex- pressed her disappointment in the "trash talk" that had started off tonight's discus- sion, and opined that it was not necessary; and asked that there be more transpar- ency and that there would be no vote tonight on things that had not been discussed previously. Karen Schaffer, 2100 Fairview Avenue Ms. Schaffer opined that it was not true the big box retailers contribute more to the tax base than it used in City services, based on recent changes in tax law. Ms. Schaffer further opined that, during her service on the Steering Committee, the proposed changes in the HarMar and Target had passed on a narrow and somewhat "bizarre" vote, creating the process issue now before the City Council, and appeared to be "consultant-led" and without parliamentary procedures in place.