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COUNCIL MINUTES October 12, 2004 APPROVED 288 indicated it also will provide the necessary infrastructure for the YMCA. He believes they are taking 1.89 a property that is bringing the city no source of revenue and getting it on the tax rolls. He indicated 290 while the project is not perfect, the positive things it brings to the taxpayer are wonderful, and it is not 291 on the backs of the taxpayers to finance it. He thanked Staff for all their hard work, noting this is 292 something they can all be proud with which to have been involved. 293 294 Councilmember Reinert commented he likes the project because it is self -funding, and every dollar 295 that goes out comes back. He stated on top of that, the city will get Lake Drive and the YMCA 296 improvements out of the project, and without this development the City would be looking for dollars 297 to accomplish both of those things. He indicated TIF is a necessary part of putting something like 298 this together, and without this comprehensive plan for the area they would get piecemeal strip malls 299 and maybe an apartment building here or there. He stated the City has been working on this for a 300 long time and he cannot wait for it to get started. 301 302 Councilmember Dahl agreed the positive side of this is the YMCA, and the mix of housing they will 303 get that the city needs. She stated she would like more senior housing, but is confident that will 304 happen in time. She indicated she likes the community aspects of the plan, and noted she supports the 305 project except for the TIF component. She stated she has been on the Council for seven years and has 306 never supported TIF, because it is money the city never gets back. She indicated she has always been 307 a firm believer you pay your own way. She expressed that the Lake Drive / I -35W improvements 308 were a positive aspect, but that would have to be done any way. She stated she had concerns about 309 the length of TIF being 16 years. She thanked Staff for their patience in getting her information 310 during this process, but indicated that with the City's tax base not going down, and the length of the Ai11 TIF, she hopes Staff and the rest of the Council will understand and respect her vote. 12 313 Mayor Bergeson commented this is the culmination of a lot of efforts over the last 10 years, and he 314 thinks it is important they finish the plan that was started so long ago. He disagreed with the 315 comments that they do not get TIF back, as he feels they get it back many times in benefits to the city. 316 He noted that prior to Target and Kohl's going in there were concerns about the amount of TIF being 317 contributed, but since they have been open he hears only good comments. He thinks this is the right 318 thing to do, and thanked Staff and Mr. Bubul for the great negotiations they have done on behalf of 319 Lino Lakes. He thanked the developer and the Taggs for their patience and for coming together with 320 the city to make this work. 321 322 Community Development Director Grochala clarified that without this project the Lake Drive 323 improvements would have to be funded by general obligation bonds, but by doing this project they 324 are able to leverage the road improvements as well. 325 326 Elise Tagg, 7504 Lake Drive read a statement addressing the eight years of limbo they have lived in. 327 She talked about their cooperation with the process throughout the planning, and commented that she 328 feels sometimes the Council loses site of the fact that this is the City's project; neither she nor the 329 developer came to the City proposing a plan, but the City did come to them. She mentioned all the 330 benefits the City would be getting from this project, including a 323% increase in tax base. She 331 stated the City Staff, consultants and Hartford Group have exercised due diligence, and have 332 accomplished something better than any of them could ever have hoped. 333 . 34 Motion carried. Vote: 3:2 Councilmembers Carlson and Dahl opposed. 35 7