Agenda Packets - 2005/07/25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council June 27, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 11 better life. She stated that this definitely should be considered rather than expending energy to 1 make homeowners comply with certain code or to make improvements, or penalize them and use 2 it in a punitive manner. She asked why they couldn’t use this same energy to make those 3 improvements or ask what they could do to help out rather than imposing fees and fines. She 4 stated it is the same amount of energy that could be used to be negative or it could be used in a 5 positive way. 6 7 Economic Development Coordinator Backman clarified that Ms Sebesta’s house is not in a TIF 8 District. He explained that the city has not added parcels to a TIF District in over two years 9 noting that this is a voluntary program and they choose to participate. 10 11 Council Member Gunn further clarified that the city would only purchase one of the homes if the 12 owner comes to the city. She assured the residents that the city is not going to take any homes 13 from anyone noting that if a homeowner is having difficulty selling their property they can then 14 come to the city and the city could then purchase it. She stated that the city is not going to take 15 anyone’s home. 16 17 Council Member Thomas added that the city has turned down several homes. She stated that she 18 does not believe that this is the proper business for the city to be in. She stated that homeowners 19 have rights to their homes and she believes in a free market when it comes to a residential home 20 and the city should not be involved. 21 22 Council Member Gunn explained that in order for the city to be able to purchase a home from a 23 resident the city had to develop the Comprehensive Plan. 24 25 Economic Development Coordinator Backman confirmed and further explained that in order to 26 participate in the program they have to have designated parcels. He stated that Director Ericson 27 drove throughout the city, talked with various people and put together a list of parcels. He stated 28 that the parcels are not in TIF Districts they are only designated as potential participants in a 29 voluntary program. 30 31 Council Member Flaherty noted to Mr. Hall that he has met with Medtronic officials three or four 32 times and has had nothing but polite, honest discussion with them. He assured him that no one 33 has strong-armed or made inappropriate offers of any kind. He stated that everything has been 34 strictly above board noting that he appreciates their candor. He stated that Mr. McCombs has 35 answered all of his questions about the development and he can unequivocally say that he has 36 dealt with professionals in all of his discussions. 37 38 Council Member Gunn agreed stating that in the meetings she has had with Medtronic as an 39 individual and as a Council Member, they have been willing to listen and have been very open to 40 discussion on all of the issues. She stated that they have been above board and honest noting that 41 if Medtronic did not like something they would let the city know and if the city didn’t like 42 something Medtronic was willing to listen. 43 44 Council Member Thomas stated that she has had the greatest opportunity to watch Medtronic’s 45