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Commissioner Strommen asked what is involved with drafting special legislation prior to the <br />analysis. <br />HRA Executive Director Ulrich stated there will be different alternatives that could be brought <br />forward with special legislation that need to be analyzed. He stated support to have Ehlers <br />involved with analysis of the alternatives. <br />Commissioner Strommen stated she does not support paying Ehlers to draft special legislation in <br />case the HRA decides to go a different direction. <br />Commissioner Tossey stated his belief that Ehlers left the HRA thinking The Residence at The <br />COR was "hunky- dory" and he would not support paying Ehlers for anything, as TIF #14 <br />District is a mess. He stated Ehlers gave testimony saying everything would be fine but that is <br />not the case so he would not support paying Ehlers any more dollars. <br />Chairperson Backous asked if the HRA was getting value for the dollars spent with Ehlers. <br />HRA Executive Director Ulrich answered in the affirmative, noting Ehlers has extensive <br />experience with TIF and can analyze accuracy of the numbers for the HRA's consideration. He <br />stated it is true there are issues with this District and it was not anticipated when this District was <br />created that property values would continue to fall. HRA Executive Director Ulrich explained <br />the HRA needs to understand the problems and take action so if not Ehlers, another consultant <br />could be used. <br />Commissioner Strommen agreed the HRA needs help figuring out what to do with this District <br />and Ehlers has knowledge of this District. She stated after the last meeting, she was pessimistic <br />about moving forward based on advice from Ehlers, and now this situation has occurred when <br />people should have known property values would fall. Commissioner Strommen stated the HRA <br />has to hear what needs to be heard, not what they want to hear, because the HRA needs to <br />understand the challenges being faced, seriousness, and how much of the problem will be solved. <br />Commissioner Tossey noted staff predicted that property values would continue to fall and he <br />does not support paying Ehlers more money when it led the HRA "down the wrong road" by <br />saying this District cannot fail. He supported using another financial consultant. <br />Commissioner LeTourneau stated he also struggles with the issue of trust and asked what a <br />solution would be. He stated he would support getting a bid for another view from another <br />resource that the HRA could trust. <br />Finance Director Lund stated on the value, you have to lock in on a year to establish a baseline to <br />create a TIF comparison. She stated the Flaherty and Collins bond is coming up quickly so the <br />TIF agreement has to be locked in. <br />Chairperson Backous stated he agrees with the concern of Commissioner Tossey. <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority / October 8, 2013 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />