01-23-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View EDA January 23, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 4 noted there are many benefits other than an immediate job creation per se. There are indirect benefits as well as direct benefits. President Marty stated he should call time on Mr. Glidden’s Public Input comments. Mr. Glidden stated he will then wrap up his questions. He suggested that if the EDA is undertaking economic development there should be clear cut explainable reasons for the economic development the EDA plans to undertake. He stated that relates to some of the items on the agenda tonight. Mr. Glidden again suggested there should be clear cut benefits to the citizens of Mounds View. Duane McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road, stated there are a few things he wants to clarify on the issue of streets and using TIF. He stated he would like to have a statement from the City Attorney whether the City can use TIF funds on streets, whether or not the streets are connected with the TIF district. The City Attorney stated it depends on the pool of money it comes from and the bottom line is if Mr. McCarty wants an answer, or to “sharp shoot” staff at this point in time. He stated he will provide Mr. McCarty with an answer and the State statues pertaining to this issue. He advised that the City has been given information that they can utilize certain funds for certain roads. He stated he does not have the State statutes in front of him but can provide that answer to Mr. McCarty. Mr. McCarty stated he is sorry staff feels they are “sharp shooting.” He stated it is the right of residents to question elected officials and that should not be construed as “sharp shooting.” He suggested that the question Mr. Glidden posed is whether the City can use TIF for streets but now the City Attorney has said not everywhere because you need to show direct relationship with the TIF district. Mr. McCarty stated the City may not be able to use the funds on the worst streets because that connection does not exist. He stated his opinion that the question Mr. Glidden asked was not properly responded to and it is the responsibility of the Council and should be made clear that there are restrictions and you cannot use TIF for any street you want because there are restrictions. Mr. McCarty stated with regard to new jobs, the EDA can say that new jobs fulfill the requirements of the economic development laws even though the jobs are coming from Arden Hills or Shoreview, they are new jobs to Mounds View. But that is not what the economic development statutes, TIF, or other encouragement for business intended. They describe those employments as increase in employment. He suggested that in a common sense application, it is an increase in jobs and it is not increasing jobs in Ramsey County if the job is being transferred from Arden Hills or Shoreview. Mr. McCarty stated the answers should be more clear for those who are not familiar with TIF details. Commissioner Thomas stated before things get too heated, she wanted to clarify some things. She stated that the EDA has already been down this road and yes, there will be some transfer jobs from Shoreview and Arden Hills but there will also be some new jobs beyond what they already