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Mounds View EDA January 23, 2006 <br />Regular Meeting Page 4 <br /> <br /> 130 <br />Commissioner Thomas pointed out that several things improved in the environment because the 131 <br />Cinema improved the road infrastructure, sidewalks, lighting, and definitely improved attention 132 <br />to the area for the residents of Mounds View. 133 <br /> 134 <br />Vice President Stigney stated it also benefits businesses and brings more people in to eat and buy 135 <br />merchandise. In addition, it increases the demand for housing and the value of housing. He 136 <br />noted there are many benefits other than an immediate job creation per se. There are indirect 137 <br />benefits as well as direct benefits. 138 <br /> 139 <br />President Marty stated he should call time on Mr. Glidden’s Public Input comments. 140 <br /> 141 <br />Mr. Glidden stated he will then wrap up his questions. He suggested that if the EDA is 142 <br />undertaking economic development there should be clear cut explainable reasons for the 143 <br />economic development the EDA plans to undertake. He stated that relates to some of the items 144 <br />on the agenda tonight. Mr. Glidden again suggested there should be clear cut benefits to the 145 <br />citizens of Mounds View. 146 <br /> 147 <br />Duane McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road, stated there are a few things he wants to clarify on the 148 <br />issue of streets and using TIF. He stated he would like to have a statement from the City 149 <br />Attorney whether the City can use TIF funds on streets, whether or not the streets are connected 150 <br />with the TIF district. 151 <br /> 152 <br />The City Attorney stated it depends on the pool of money it comes from and the bottom line is if 153 <br />Mr. McCarty wants an answer, or to “sharp shoot” staff at this point in time. He stated he will 154 <br />provide Mr. McCarty with an answer and the State statues pertaining to this issue. He advised 155 <br />that the City has been given information that they can utilize certain funds for certain roads. He 156 <br />stated he does not have the State statutes in front of him but can provide that answer to Mr. 157 <br />McCarty. 158 <br /> 159 <br />Mr. McCarty stated he is sorry staff feels they are “sharp shooting.” He stated it is the right of 160 <br />residents to question elected officials and that should not be construed as “sharp shooting.” He 161 <br />suggested that the question Mr. Glidden posed is whether the City can use TIF for streets but now 162 <br />the City Attorney has said not everywhere because you need to show direct relationship with the 163 <br />TIF district. Mr. McCarty stated the City may not be able to use the funds on the worst streets 164 <br />because that connection does not exist. He stated his opinion that the question Mr. Glidden 165 <br />asked was not properly responded to and it is the responsibility of the Council and should be 166 <br />made clear that there are restrictions and you cannot use TIF for any street you want because 167 <br />there are restrictions. 168 <br /> 169 <br />Mr. McCarty stated with regard to new jobs, the EDA can say that new jobs fulfill the 170 <br />requirements of the economic development laws even though the jobs are coming from Arden 171