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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Laura Linehan, Acting City Administrator <br /> Ben Harrington, Community Development Director <br /> <br />DATE: April 9, 2025 <br /> <br />RE: Resolution supporting legislation expanding the Ramsey County Housing and <br />Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to include Economic Development Agency (EDA) <br />powers <br /> <br />ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED: <br />Consider resolution supporting HF 2349 / SF 2521, legislation expanding the Ramsey County Housing <br />and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to include Economic Development Agency (EDA) powers. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Staff has received several requests from staff members at Ramsey County to bring forth a resolution of <br />support for HF 2349 / SF 2521, expanding the Ramsey County Housing Redevelopment Authority <br />(HRA) to include the Economic Development Agency (EDA Powers.) <br /> <br />Ramsey County seeks to amend the HRA statutory language to expand authority to better support <br />diversifying industries, communities, and emerging entrepreneurs as best as possible. Currently, <br />Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is established under state statute. The state <br />statute is narrowly worded to the support and funding of affordable housing and redevelopment <br />projects and programs. <br /> <br />Small business programming is defined as allowable uses with economic development authorities. <br />Ramsey County does not currently have an economic development authority. Based on legal guidance, <br />the proposed legislation expands the powers of the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment <br />Authority through the establishment of an economic development authority. This legislative change <br />has no change on property taxes. This legislative change simply expands the list of eligible activities in <br />which Ramsey County’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy is used. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION: <br />At the March 26 City Council Workshop, the Council discussed the letter of support and directed staff <br />to confirm a few items with Ramsey County prior to moving forward with bringing a Resolution of <br />Support to the April 9 City Council Meeting. Staff confirmed with Ramsey County that no change to <br />the HRA levy would occur should the legislation be passed. Additionally, the requested clarification <br />around the county’s continued investment in housing. Staff provided follow-up and, therefore, is <br />moving forward with bringing the Resolution of Support to the April 9 City Council meeting. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />Approve the attached resolution of support. <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />• Attachment A: Resolution of Support