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1 <br />COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1995 <br />Mr. Brixius noted that 48% of the rental units in Lino Lakes are affordable. This means <br />that 48% of the rental units rent for $500.00 per month or less. The current rental <br />housing stock is only 4% of the entire housing stock in the City and 23% already <br />qualifies as affordable. Mr. Brixius explained that as the community grows there will be <br />a variety of subsidized units such as Willow Ponds which is an elderly subsidize project. <br />Mr. Brixius asked the City Council to give staff approval of the goals that were <br />mentioned this evening so that staff can respond to Met Council. Each goal will be <br />qualified so that there is a clear understanding of each goal based on the discussion with <br />staff. <br />Met Council has stated that goals established by each community will be market driven <br />and are not a mandate. The City will plan for each goal but if the market does not allow <br />achievement of the goals, the City will not be held responsible for those final acts. <br />Council Member Bergeson noted that a lot of information has been presented to the City <br />Council this evening and it is all new information. He felt compliance with the Livable <br />Communities Act would have an impact on the City's current zoning and also on the <br />Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Brixius said that staff will ask for an extension of time from <br />Met Council and bring the matter back before the City Council on December 18, 1995. <br />Ms. Wyland explained that Met Council is required to report back to the legislature in <br />January, 1996 to let them know what communities are participating and what their goals <br />are. That is why the City has a deadline of December 15, 1995. Council Member <br />Bergeson said that the City Council should have had this information before them several <br />months ago so that there would be no problem in meeting the deadline. <br />Mayor Reinert asked how many communities are complying. He also asked how are <br />communities that are totally developed going to comply with the legislation. Mr. Brixius <br />explained that benchmarks will be different in each community depending on their <br />individual situation. He did not know how many communities were complying with the <br />reporting deadline. Mr. Brixius said that most communities are continuing to review the <br />legislation and are looking at what they feel comfortable complying with. He said the <br />Met Council has expressed that the goals they are looking for are goals that would be <br />worked toward and if they are not achieved, staff is told that there will be no penalty as <br />long as the City can demonstrate that they are working toward the goals. Mr. Brixius <br />explained that the principles of the Livable Communities Act are sound planning <br />objectives as far as providing a variety of housing and providing affordable housing for <br />various income levels. The concern is what should be the benchmarks for Lino Lakes. <br />Mayor Reinert said that Met Council has for the past 20 years encouraged planning. Lino <br />Lakes has done a good job of planning. However, he felt that the Livable Communities <br />Act is a socialistic move and the City will be forced to zone land differently than what the <br />citizens of Lino Lakes felt was the way to go. Mayor Reinert said that the Met Council <br />is the only such non -elected body in the entire nation and they are not accountable to <br />anybody but the Governor. He said that this legislation is ridiculous. Mr. Brixius said he <br />PAGE 9 <br />