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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Keis and Members of City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Chris Heineman, City Administrator <br /> DATE: November 6, 2019 <br /> RE: Resolution to Participate in the Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Program <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br /> <br />The Livable Communities Program is a voluntary program that provides incentives funding to <br />communities for local economic revitalization, affordable housing initiatives and development or <br />redevelopment projects that connect housing, jobs and transportation. The Livable Communities <br />Program is based on cooperation and incentives to achieve both regional and local goals. In order to <br />participate in this program in 2020, the City of Little Canada needs to adopt a resolution prior to <br />November 15 that includes goals for affordable and lifecycle housing. These goals have already been <br />approved and adopted as part of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan update. <br /> <br />As a participant in the Livable Communities Program, the City of Little Canada would be eligible to <br />participate in and apply for funding from the following programs: <br />• Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA): Cleans up contaminated sites for redevelopment that <br />creates jobs and/or produces affordable housing. Also known as the brownfields program. In <br />2019, the Met Council allocated $5.9 million in grants including up to $250,000 for site <br />investigation. <br />• Livable Communities Demonstration Account: Supports development and redevelopment that <br />links housing, jobs and services while demonstrating efficient and cost-effective use of land and <br />infrastructure. In 2019, the Met Council allocated $7.5 million to this account. <br />• Local Housing Incentives Account: Funds production and preservation of affordable housing <br />choices for households with low to moderate incomes. In 2019, the Met Council allocated $2.5 <br />million to this account. <br />• Transit Oriented Development (TOD): Funds development around light rail or high frequency <br />bus stations. In 2019, the Met Council allocated $5 million to this account. <br /> <br />There are currently 96 metro area communities that participate in the Livable Communities Program. <br />The City of Little Canada has been a member in the past, but has not been a participant since 2003. By <br />joining at this time, this allows the 2040 Comp Plan to reflect the Met Council goals and makes the city <br />eligible for funding. Another Resolution will be required in 2020 to join for the next ten years, 2020- <br />2029 period. That will reflect the work incorporated into the 2040 Comp Plan. <br /> <br />The city is currently in the process of completing the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and part of that process <br />includes establishing goals and objectives for affordable housing. Similar to the adopted 2030 <br />Comprehensive Plan update, the city is asked to work with the Met Council to establish long term <br />affordable housing goals for Little Canada.