Minutes - 2004/04/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council Apri126, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 7 Council Member Marty commented that the church has reserved the right to make adjustments in the amounts given to the City if community or church circumstances change significantly so the amounts are not guaranteed. Council Member Marry indicated he struggled with his decision but does not feel he could approve this amendment. Council Member Gunn indicated she is for this amendment because of the good that the church can do for the community. She then said that the building is going to be empty and the church has offered some monetary compensation to the City in addition to the services they can bring to the community. Council Member Stigney said that he would like to say that Bethlehem Baptist may be desirable for the City to have but he disagrees with the location picked for this. He then said this is a TIF district for the purpose of economic development and the reason the building was built was to create jobs and improve the tax base. He further indicated that Mounds View is struggling with taxes dollar wise and he thinks this is a perpetual thing and the dollars are locked in and grow at 2% but his taxes went up to 30% this year. Council Member Stigney indicated that his major objection is the dollar amounts because they do not add up as to what he thinks they should and he feels approval of this amendment would be a long term detriment to the taxpayers of this City and he feels that would be irresponsible. Council Member Stigney indicated the County and school distnct would also be excluded from taxes and that impacts all other residents. He then said he feels it is wrong to do it in this location but he would welcome the church to come in another location. Mayor Linke indicated that he is concerned with the financials but the church has offered to partially compensate for the amounts the City would lose and the intangibles that the church can provide would be a benefit for the City. Mayor Linke commented that he does have concerns about the finances for the City but, on the other hand, the intangibles that the church would bring to the community are a great benefit. He then said that this was a very difficult decision for him but he will vote in favor of this because of the intangibles that are invaluable as a benefit to the community. He further commented that he has put a lot of time, effort, and consideration into his decision. Council Member Stigney commented that there is a Highway 10 corridor development going through the area and he thinks the whole area will benefit from keeping it industrial for jobs and rental or leasing. He then said his other point is that he thinks this property could be built out more than what it is right now. He further commented that he thinks this is the wrong location in the City for the church. Mayor Linke indicated the property is built out due to the parking requirements.