06-23-2025 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA JUNE 239 2025 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 23rd day of June 2025 in the Conference Room in the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor Tom Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: ROLL CALL: In attendance were Mayor Fischer and City Council Members Miller, Malone, and Kwapick. Absent: Gutierrez. ALSO PRESENT: Acting City Administrator Laura Linehan, Community Development Director Ben Harrington, City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller and City Engineer Eric Seaburg. Also Mikaela Huot with Baker Tilly, Steve Minn & Cameron Flakne with Lupe Development, and Catherine Courtney with Taft. LITTLE CANADA ROAD PROJECT UPDATE The City Engineer reported that staff continues to work on the upcoming Little Canada Road Improvements Project. He stated the project design is nearing 60% complete and so far is on schedule for construction beginning in 2026. He explained that they are in the final design stage and beginning easement acquisitions. He noted that in February and March, there were public engagements and meetings with property owners, and there will be information at Canadian Days, along with likely another open house in fall 2025. The City Engineer explained that the entire project is planned to cost about $11 million, and the city's portion of the unfunded balance is about $960,000. K_ wapick noted that the city did not get the bonding request from the state in 2025, but there is still a chance to get the funds in 2026. The Finance Director explained that Fund 450 is the infrastructure fund, from which the money for street projects is paid. He explained three options to fund the $960,000: add $40,000 to the levy, which is about one percent; delay the 2027 street projects by one year; or bond for the 2027 street projects along with the community building. There was Council consensus to delay the 2027 street improvement projects to fund the Little Canada Road improvement project. DISCUSS TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) AND CONDUIT DEBT OPTIONS WITH LUPE DEVELOPMENT FOR 99 COUNTY ROAD B EAST SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT The Community Development Director explained that at the last Workshop meeting, the Council agreed to offer a $200,000 TIF District for a five-year term, but Lupe Development has now revised their TIF request and is also asking for conduit debt assistance from the city. Mikaela Huot, Baker Tilly, stated that their last proforma was a snapshot in time but things have changed some now. Catherine Courtney, TAFT, explained that the city has participated in several conduit bonds over the last five or so years and there is no risk to the city to participate in this financial assistance. She noted that the city also receives a fee for doing conduit debt financing. She explained that the Council must first pass a resolution of support and calling for a public