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Regular City Council Meeting 8s Executive Session <br />Monday, March 23, 2009 <br />Page 18 <br />to purchase, the owner had been led to believe that a large number of tenants were <br />income-qualified, but that did not prove true, and that only 16 households actually <br />met low-income qualifications. <br />Public Comment <br />Connie Wyland <br />Ms. Wyland asked if Senator Marty's letter had been read into the record. <br />Mayor Klausing confirmed that the letter was included in the Council packet for <br />tonight's meeting, as well as public copies of the agenda packet. <br />Mona Langston, Housing Preservation Project, 2004 Hamline Avenue N <br />Ms. Langston spoke to whether or not the violation warranted being identified as <br />substantial; and alleged that, without notification to the City from the HPP, the <br />miscalculations would have continued without the City's knowledge or <br />subsequent action. Ms. Langston encouraged the City to further clarify other <br />inconsistencies in the number of people displaced; rent totals; how many vacant <br />market rate or low-income eligible and unable to remain; how many low-income <br />apartments were vacant; and other information that would help. Ms. Langston <br />opined that it was important for the City Council not to only consider the dollar <br />amount when considering whether the violation was substantial or not; but to look <br />at the experience of the owner's attorneys and consultants, and whether there <br />were other facilities being operated that were also out of compliance. <br />Councilmember Ihlan referenced Senator Marty's letter and read a portion. <br />Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of the motion and opined that the owners <br />had received $12 million in public support through tax exempt bonding, with their <br />promise to preserve affordable housing in Roseville, and further opined that they <br />had failed to do that. Councilmember Ihlan opined that, based on the owner's <br />inability to follow the law, and with established guidelines in place and evidence <br />of demonstrated violations, the City Council could do nothing else than enforce <br />that penalty. <br />Councilmember Roe advised that he had carefully reviewed the situation, and <br />information provided; and had performed his own calculations based on the <br />information and Statutory provisions. Councilmember Roe's conclusions were <br />that this law was indeed complicated; but based on his analysis he had come to his <br />own conclusions. Councilmember Roe assured tenants that he didn't want to <br />minimize repercussions to tenants; however, he opined that by this action tonight <br />the Council couldn't punish the developer for things other than being in violation <br />of fair market rents and income eligibility guidelines. Councilmember Roe <br />detailed his analysis and conclusions, based on Section 8 amounts to consider, the <br />state's own definition of rent and utilities, whether or not a unit is occupied and <br />consideration of those vacant units in the calculations, and his conclusion that the <br />complex was in compliance 99% of the time, allowing him to conclude that the <br />