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June 9, 2026 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 2 <br /> <br /> <br />requesting assistance. She noted that the Public Finance Policy contains statutory and local <br />requirements. Municipal Advisor Kvilvang reviewed that the statutory requirements are a part of the <br />Business Subsidy Policy. This applies to any commercial business, not residential. Municipal <br />Advisor Kvilvang highlighted statutory additions to the policy, which included a minimum of one <br />full-time equivalent job paying at least 150 percent of the state minimum wage. She noted that this <br />is a floor, and if more jobs are desired, a higher amount can be added to the final agreement. <br />Municipal Advisor Kvilvang recognized the priority for affordable housing in St. Anthony. She <br />highlighted that Staff added several items to address this concern, including asking developers to <br />include affordable units at 60 percent of the area median income in their Section Two multi-family <br />units, under Objectives for Providing Public Assistance. She commented that this, too, is <br />somewhat adjustable, but provides a starting point for discussion. The second place where <br />affordable housing is emphasized is in Section Three under the Public Financing Principles. <br />Municipal Advisor Kvilvang overviewed that anyone requesting assistance must file a Declaration of <br />Restrictive Covenants for 26 years. She noted that this is very standard and helps new buyers <br />understand affordability requirements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jenson provided an example of a developer who sells a property after ten years, <br />which is under these requirements. He asked if they would have to comply with the affordability <br />requirements for sixteen years. Municipal Advisor Kvilvang confirmed that it is true. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jenson asked if owners are required to extend this. Municipal Advisor Kvilvang <br />stated they are not. Councilmember Jenson questioned whether this is because the property will <br />lose value and become naturally more affordable. Municipal Advisor Kvilvang corrected this and <br />noted that most developers are not receiving assistance for the full period. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jenson asked who manages the controlled rent growth. Municipal Advisor Kvilvang <br />stated that if a developer has a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants, they must annually submit <br />reports to the City demonstrating compliance with affordability agreements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jenson expressed concern for a 55-plus community in Silver Lake Village. He <br />noted that rent was rising faster than Social Security, and that many residents live off Social <br />Security. He asked if there is protection for people in this situation. Municipal Advisor Kvilvang <br />stated that there is not, and that these requirements are based on annually published HUD <br />guidelines. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jenson asked if there are ways they can implement protections for individuals in <br />these circumstances through rent controls. Municipal Advisor Kvilvang stated that there is not, <br />given that rent controls lead to a lack of development. She cited case studies from St. Paul to prove <br />this. <br /> <br />Councilmember Randle commented that he believed that when cities become involved in these <br />issues, things get worse. He stated that he had never seen situations in which cities become <br />involved in rent controls that benefit tenants. <br /> <br />Municipal Advisor Kvilvang reminded the Council that this is not a rent control policy, only an <br />expectation that developers include affordable units. <br /> <br />Municipal Advisor Kvilvang continued by introducing Section Four-Point-Two, which stipulates that <br />the City’s desire is 20 percent affordable housing at 50 percent of the area’s median income. She <br />4