CC_Minutes_2010_0913 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 13, 2010 Page 13 business risk, but willing to bring the risk to the City. Councilmember Ihlan sug- gested that the developer wait to construct the project if timing was not good now; and questioned why the City should use public monies of $2.5 million when there were so many other needs in the community, rather than a financial benefit -going primarily to United Properties. Councilmember Roe clarified that it was $300,000 in TIF being expended for Phase I of the project, and that the $2.5 million represented the total increment that could be captured by the entire District. Councilmember Roe opined that this project served the purpose as established by the legislature in spurring some eco- nomic development activity during an economic slump; and further opined that the project and the City's involvement made sense. Councilmember Roe refe- renced previous documentation included in the Twin Lakes Public Participation Framework and criteria and categories for considering public purpose definitions. Councilmember Roe advised that, based on that criteria, he was supportive of providing TIF assistance as requested for the project. Mayor Klausing spoke in support for the project; noting that the developer, rather than the City, was advancing costs upfront for construction of the connecting road into Langton Lake Park, rather than City taxpayers doing so. Councilmember Johnson spoke in support of the motion, opining that "the glass is half full, not half empty," and opining that this provided a great opportunity to create and sustain jobs, not just construction jobs, but in future maintenance and operations of the project; and further opined that the park deserved consideration for connection to allow the public to be aware of and take advantage of this beau- tiful park, providing a great public service. Councilmember Pust, speaking for the record and in her role on the HRA, noted that the recent Multi-family Housing Study acknowledged the need for this type of housing in Roseville; therefore it constituted a public purpose; and opined that Langton Lake was an asset in the community and should be appreciated by the en- tire community, through opening up access to the park. However, Councilmemb- er Pust noted that she had repeatedly stated her opposition in discussions for this project and any use of TIF. Councilmember Pust noted that, since initial discus- sions the economy had crashed for United Properties as well as everyone else, and t!~ose financially viable considerations from 2007 and 2008 were not the same to- day. Councilmember Pust advised that she was not as much opposed to the use of TIF on the project as she had been in the past; however, she was not supportive of the legislative amendments when she felt the intent was creation of more than just one job. Councilmember Pust advised that, on balance, she would vote in opposi- tion to the project, but acknowledged that she had softened her opinion on the use of TIF for the project from her original position.