11/27/1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1995 in all three (3) areas. Although the City does not have a I -IRA, the City does have an entity which has full HRA power. Council Member Bergeson asked that since Anoka County is proposing to assess Lino Lakes under the County HRA, is it correct to assume that they have already found that there are blighted conditions and/or lack of safe and sanitary housing in Lino Lakes. Mr. Batty said that the County would have had to make the same findings in areas of the County that were not covered by pre-existing city I -IRA's. County Commissioner Margaret Langfeld was present and noted that the City Council will be making a very difficult decision tonight on this matter. She explained that there are several good reasons for the City to approve its own HRA. One reason is that the City would have control of the HRA and would be able to target where the City wants the dollars to be spent. Commissioner Langfeld also said there are also good reasons to belong to the County HRA as well. Commissioner Langfeld explained that the County had reviewed every City in Anoka County to determine whether or not a HRA was needed. It was determined that it is clear that a HRA was needed. Commissioner Langfeld exhibited an Anoka County map showing properties in each of the cites where property value has remained constant or lost market value. The map clearly shows that there are properties in Anoka County that need rehab. Anoka County decided to initiate a HRA because blight will affect the property values and in turn this will affect the County taxing base as well as the quality of the cities and the neighborhoods. Some cities and counties to the south and west of Anoka County have some severe blight. Commissioner Langfeld said that it feels that it is moving out. Commissioner Langfeld said the County needed to do something to stop the spread of blight into these areas or some cities in Anoka County will look the same as in the adjacent blighted communities. Commissioner Langfeld explained that it has taken a long time for the County to establish a HRA. The timing has not worked well, however, Anoka County is at the mercy of the legislature. Anoka County was required to establish a levy well before it was determined what the cities were doing. This has put Anoka County into the position of making decisions without full information. Anoka County is still gathering more information. Commissioner Langfeld noted that there still are many cities who have not made a decision in this matter. Speculation is that larger cities in Anoka County will not join the Anoka County HRA. However, this is just speculation especially when they become aware of the challenge that they have before them. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency would prefer to deal with one entity such as a County HRA with multiple members. Another good reason for considering joining the County HRA is that the more cities that participate, the more money will be available for a project. This is why the County is sure that whatever the citizens are taxed, the same amount will be returned to the community. Commissioner Langfeld also explained that Minnesota Housing Finance is familiar with Anoka County through the community action agencies who have an excellent track record. This helps a lot in establishing a relationship with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Another reason Anoka County is putting a HRA in place is because when there are opportunities, the County can take advantage of them. The County has PAGE 8