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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2024 Page 11 1 Councilmember Doolan stated at the last meeting she indicated she was in support of the Tibyan 2 Center community. Her faith community is one of the most important thing in her life. She 3 understands their interest in growing their community. She stated that property is the only one 4 available for affordable housing. She is concerned they are buying a polluted piece of land and 5 wants to ensure safety. She noted the previous PUD ensured that the site would be cleaned up. 6 7 Councilmember Jenson stated Council has done a good job of going through the Conditions and 8 he appreciates the responses from the applicant. 9 10 Councilmember Randle stated he is concerned with the tactics that have come along with this. 11 The applicant doesn’t have to threaten a lawsuit. It makes people think you are not operating 12 under good faith. 13 14 Councilmember Elnagdy stated this is a difficult decision. She is most concerned that the 15 presumption was Council would come at this from a racist standpoint and that inclusion is not 16 important to our community. The Council does have a commitment to diversity. The Council has 17 a duty to the St. Anthony community and there are 5 mosques within a few miles. 18 19 Mayor Webster stated the Council desires to be a welcoming inclusive community. There is also 20 a shortage of affordable housing. The Tibyan Center has indicated they want to partner with the 21 City. The Council has an obligation to make sure timelines are met and conditions are 22 implemented. This decision has weighed heavily on the minds of the Councilmembers. Mayor 23 Webster stated the applicant should not consider the conditions as not being welcoming and 24 inclusive. There is a tremendous need for affordable housing in the community. Mayor Webster 25 reviewed the three options. 26 27 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Mayor Webster, to adopt Resolution #24-063 – 28 Approving a Request for an Amendment to the PUD Zoning District for Changes to the Uses and 29 Development Plans in the Kenzie Terrace PUD Overlay District. 30 31 Councilmember Elnagdy stated she received 117 messages from various avenues with regard to 32 the Tibyan Center. She noted that 112 were in support, 5 were against, 4 in support were from St. 33 Anthony, and the 5 against were from St. Anthony. The others were from people outside St. 34 Anthony who have no connection to St. Anthony. She stated it doesn’t feel like the voices from 35 people in St. Anthony are the voices being heard. 36 37 Councilmember Doolan asked going forward, if there is a collaborative partnership. It was noted 38 the Police Department has charged individuals for the vandalism. 39 40 Mayor Webster stated she was part of the meeting where updates to the investigation of the 41 attacks were reviewed and St. Anthony law enforcement did their job. As a community we want 42 everyone to feel safe and welcomed in St. Anthony. 43 44 Councilmember Randle stated when the press release came out, the residents did not know 45 anything about the proposed Tibyan Center. 46