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Building permits for new homes in 2005 numbered 196, exceeding 2004 permits by 6 units. <br />Commercial /industrial development continued at a steady pace. A 12,582 square foot building was built by <br />Schwan's in the Marshan Industrial Park on the southwest quadrant of I -35W and Lake Drive was completed in <br />2005, further contributing jobs and adding approximately $1.3 million in value to the city's growing <br />commercial /industrial tax base. A two -story office building is currently being constructed at the intersection of <br />Lake Drive and Hodgson Road which will house E.G. Rud Surveyors and several other tenants. <br />The City initiated an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) of property in excess of 4,000 acres in the <br />northeast quadrant of the city, which includes property in the I -35E corridor, to assess the impact of future <br />development scenarios in this area. The AUAR was completed and accepted by the City Council in October, <br />2005. The AUAR included the proposed Hardwood Creek development, a 360 acre master - planned mixed -use <br />development. If approved, the development would include approximately 1,100 dwelling units and 600,000 <br />square feet of commercial /retail buildings and preserve 90 acres of green space. <br />Long -term financial planning. The city has entered into an agreement with Hartford Development LL, LLC, to <br />develop 40 acres in the southeast quadrant of I -35W and Lake Drive. This mixed -use development will occur <br />over a period of two to five years and would include up to 450 dwelling units, retail commercial business, a <br />community green and park and trail amenities and a 60 -unit motel. Anoka County is considering placing a <br />branch library in the development as well. Country Inn and Suites began construction in early 2006 and will <br />complete the building by fall. The YMCA, in partnership with the city, is also planning a facility within the <br />development. The city's participation in the YMCA will be $2.35 million of the $8.2 million project, plus land <br />and infrastructure. The city plans to issue G.O. Tax Abatement bonds to finance its contribution to this project, <br />as well as $4.0 million in conduit debt. The city has also secured a CDBG grant of $125,000 to be used toward a <br />teen center within the YMCA. Construction on the facility is scheduled to begin in late spring, 2006. <br />To facilitate this development, street, streetscape, water, sewer, and storm water improvements must be installed <br />within the development area, as well as improvements to the existing Lake Drive. Engineering estimates for <br />these improvements is estimated at approximately $9 million. Construction began in Fall, 2005, financed with <br />▪ the sale of $5,550,000 in G.O. Improvement and the future issuance of G.O. Tax Increment bonds. It is <br />acknowledged that this development will result in additional ongoing costs involved in servicing and maintaining <br />the streets and public areas, which will be addressed in future operating budgets. <br />The city's five -year financial plan, which is currently under review, identifies street and utility improvements <br />totaling $33,173,000 over the period of 2006 through 2010. These improvements are anticipated to be funded <br />• through a number of funding sources, including special assessments, municipal state aid road funds, the area and <br />unit trunk fund, the stormwater management fund, tax increment financing and voter - approved tax levies. <br />Improvements to several of the city's neighborhood parks and the city's trail system are also planned over this <br />period in the amount of $230,000. These improvements will be funded through park dedication fees and the <br />dedicated parks fund. <br />Cash management policies and practices. The City's policy is to invest all available moneys at competitive <br />rates in accordance with Minnesota law. Investments are made by minimizing credit and market risks while <br />maintaining a competitive yield. Funds are invested in certificates of deposit, commercial paper and U.S. <br />government agencies. Cash is pooled in one account to provide maximum return. The City Council reviews the <br />investment policy annually and last amended it in 1998. The City is implementing the Government Accounting <br />Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 40 relating to Deposit and Investment Risk Disclosures and amending <br />GASB Statement No. 3, which can be found in the Notes to the Financial Statements beginning on page 41. <br />WIMP <br />5 <br />