Agenda Packets - 1983/10/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W for the MY proyram appears to be nemewhat opposite the 503. Rather than a lac of cities participatiny, Lhort. are 70% of the RUSA area cities using Il1Us, therefore there smut hie a need. The ability to pool, thus providing financiny for smaller or borderline projects,has also boon indicated as a need. Exporicnce and research will show that developers have not been bashful in requesting I'8us, 70% of the cities have used them and sous have developed stric criteria. No research has bean /one an to why 30% have not, but it in clear they could il' thuru was a nrcd. The ability to puol exists through existing port authoriCion and cilie., do have the ability to requost port authority designation. Finally, t.ho council has not indicated any city or developer that has requested council isnu.uuno of IRlis. The list of cities participatiny in IRH issuance would indicate that si•ro of city is not a barrier. b) Loyal AuthurRy. Y'he council has received two opinions in this area. Ono indicates thatthc authority exists, whereas, the other tends to cast doubt._ Unless the council obtains clear stdtutory authority, it should not become involved as in operatiny finance agency. c) Competition. The councils role as an overall planning and technical assistance agency has allowed it to basically remain aloof from day to day normal competion among cities for tax base growth. This posture has allowed the council to be very successful in coordinating metropolitan development to maxisti.zo use of r•cyaiunal founds for development of regional systems. City officials have coax: to accept this role. If the council puts itself into a new role of operating agency with ability to directly influence who and what develops and where, it soon may become embroiled in competitive battles and lose its overall effectiveness. d) Operational versus planning. The Metropolitan Council was conceived as a planning and coordinating agency. The implementation and operating role in the four systems (Sewer, Transporation, Parks, and Airports) was specifically and intentionally kept separate. The one exception of the HRA as an operating function of the council, was only done after extensive and thorough research into needs and to be able to implement Pederal programs. The council can be effective in promoting economic development through its planning, research, ' and technical assistance tasks. The documentation established so far in support of these policies clearly indicate that there are many tools available for current operating agencies to accomplish the goals set forth - for economic development of this region. 4. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY POLICY POLICY L. Encourage Public and Private Sectors to improve access to jobs for the poor and unemployed. COMMENT: This policy provides the gathering of statistics to primarily augment existing policies in the physical development areas and is appropriate as a planning function. C. RECOMMENDATION: Policy R should be eliminated. The council shouldconcentrate its efforts in the other policy areas of planning and research. It especially should implement policy J to determine if new programs are needed. Until tilts is done, there is no basis and no facts supporting the need for a council sponsored finance agency.