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Further discussion: Mr. Olson stated that staff will not authorize LSA on Tasks 3 and 4 until we <br />get some buy -in. Chairperson Dehen noted that the whole project has been tentatively approved <br />and we will not pay him one cent until the Council approves this project so why are we <br />approving this now. Mr. Olson replied that there is $3.5 million in general money that we need <br />to secure. Councilmember Dehen inquired what if the rest of the project does not come to <br />fruition. Commissioner Ramsey stated we will build the ramp regardless - we do not want to <br />lose the $3.5 million HRA Executive Director Nelson announced that a work session has been <br />scheduled with the HRA and Flaherty & Collins for October 19 and we will walk through the <br />entire deal then. That's the time line — get it in front of the HRA and then come back to the HRA <br />for approval in November or December. Chairperson Dehen thought it would come to the City <br />Council. Ms. Nelson replied it comes to the Council to do the development review piece but the <br />purchase agreement and loan guarantee, etc. will all be provided by the HRA. Chairperson <br />Dehen expressed concern about how the public becomes aware of this to which Ms. Nelson <br />replied this is all public information Chairperson Dehen stated it's a nice project but this City <br />Council knows that he is opposed to the funding. He asked how the public will know his <br />opposition. Commissioner Ramsey stated what we are voting on is regardless if the Flaherty & <br />Collins Project happens. Commissioner Look stated that our goal is to try to build this along <br />with the Flaherty & Collins project — he would not care to see the parking ramp alone. He stated <br />he is in support of this with the Flaherty & Collins project only — if it "goes naked" he is stepping <br />off the bus. Commissioner Ramsey stated that when we are talking about giving them something <br />— think of the fact that we will be losing $3.5 million if we do not build the ramp. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated it's also a message you send to the people who put money together <br />for us. We are out of the pool in the future if we give grant money back. Commissioner Look <br />stated he agreed but we are not responsible to the grant givers — we are responsible to the people <br />of this City. These people outside these walls either have or do not have confidence in us. <br />Chairperson Dehen stated he did not if he agreed with it either way. He stated he will not vote <br />for it but he certainly will not vote for it without the project just because we might lose money <br />from a grant. Commissioner Wise stated he is leery of voting for this without the Flaherty & <br />Collins project. Mr. Olson stated we cannot wait because it takes probably one to two and a half <br />months to go through the federal process. This ramp was designed to accommodate a VA Clinic. <br />Flaherty & Collins has agreed to pay for these changes and then we have to get approval from <br />MnDOT again He reiterated Flaherty & Collins will pay for the modifications for this project. <br />All we are talking about is modification to the design and contract modifications. We are not <br />going to incur $88,000 until we initiate the project. Commissioner McGlone stated this ramp is <br />something grant money was received for. It's for the grant project and he stated he would vote <br />for it — pass it — it's going in the ground because he did not want to send back $3.5 million <br />Commissioner Ramsey reiterated he did not want to give back the $3 5 million and then have to <br />build the ramp and pay for the whole thing. Commissioner Look stated he agreed and added that <br />Council needs to make sure the Flaherty & Collins project goes through. Commissioner Look <br />noted the first two tasks deal with Flaherty & Collins. With regard to Task 3 — he did not want to <br />go down this road if Flaherty & Collins is not coming — let's make sure we do not torpedo the <br />project. Chairperson Dehen stated there has already been a consensus if it's not going forward. <br />Efforts to torpedo will make everyone else look bad. Commissioner Elvig stated we have to see <br />details of the Flaherty & Collins project and he did not want to be hoodwinked into this. He <br />feels every one of these is separate. He talked about the rail stop and the parking ramp of Mr. <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority / October 5, 2010 <br />Page 3 of 11 <br />