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Mounds View Planning Commission July 5, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 19 ________________________________________________________________________ Coordinator Backman said that is true and it also includes getting to know the needs in the community. Commissioner Hegland asked for clarification relative to Coordinator Backman’s comment that the City could only use new TIF money for projects in that district. The City has the ability to shorten it if the TIF obligations are paid off. The Commission, Coordinator Backman and Director Ericson continued a discussion on clarifying where the TIF districts are located, decertification possibilities and how the money could be used. Commissioner Hegland stressed the need for a cost benefit analysis, Mr. Glidden approached the Planning Commission and stated he hears that partial and confusing information was presented. A TIF should be clear so everyone can understand it and can do a benefit analysis. He never heard that anyone took the time to do a benefit analysis on the Medtronic project. The Commission cannot make a decision without the facts on the table. This is straightforward and no different than making any other decision. The TIF district is established for economic redevelopment. State law provided for a maximum of 25 years for redevelopment. He personally does not know how someone can make a decision with the information available at this time. What seems reasonable is to be more specific on what the City TIF policy is. Commissioner Hegland said the TIF laws have changed. There are issues that are not clear and the Commission is trying to make a decision on two different issues at the same time. The bigger question is how the money that can be reallocated could be spent. Commissioner Scotch asked if there is a task force working on this. Director Ericson said the EDC is basically that task force. They are charged with looking at economic development within a community. They have taken a position on where TIF dollars should be spent. Commissioner Scotch wants to understand TIF. Chair Stevenson pointed out that Mr. Glidden summed it up very well. There are many projects that could use TIF money. The worse thing would be to have Ramsey County say the City could not use collected TIF money. Commissioner Hegland stated that is not our problem. If the question is which one of these scenarios is the best, the answer must be the one that maximizes the collection of tax increment that can be reallocated. He is not sure if he understands which scenario is the best decision. The purpose of the TIF is to improve properties so the tax base is high enough to support the needs of the community. The public hearing was closed at 9:40. Chair Stevenson instructed Director Ericson to take this back as the Commission is not ready to make any recommendations at this time.