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City Council Regular Meeting — 08/09/04 DRAFT Minutes - Page 17 Councilmember Maschka opined that there was no nexus between this project and our current budget issue, and compared the synergy potential in this proposed redevelopment with that of the Mall of America and Southdale Center, as well as numerous other scenarios within the metropolitan area. Councilmember Maschka further opined that, in his attempt to place the responsibility on the project and the developer, if the developer didn't accomplish their part of the task, they didn't receive public funds. Councilmember Ihlan continued her opposing opinion to the project related to the expense to-date on consultants and studies, as well as staff and Council time and energy; increased traffic costs and infrastructure impacts; current TIF' Policy and definition of public need; and her preference for a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Further discussion included historical perspectives of the process and proposed project to-date; ownership or control of properties in the redevelopment area; use of the City's contingency fund for providing funding for the project to- date; Councilmember Schroeder opined that the cost of the study for the plan was miniscule compared to the overall concept of the project's potential and that the process was now starting to work. Councilmember Schroeder further opined his concurrence with Councilmember Maschka's final written comment on the overall design of the project; and opined his support of improving the aesthetics of the community in that area by using this project to get the pollution and blight in the area cleaned up; but expressed caution in reducing the contingency fund. Councilmember Schroeder further concurred with careful consideration in reducing the City's administrative fees; looking at state funding as suggested by Councilmember Maschka, along with the hazardous substance sub-district; no loans of City funds; and concluded by recognizing the potential of the amenities proposed for the area residents, as well as the entire community and region.