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Mr. Cairns replied that the PACT Charter School is a public charter school and there is no public <br />liability for the bonds. <br /> <br />Erica Sitz, 6521 154th Lane NW, Ramsey, was concerned if the City was getting into a Church <br />State problem, which she is being told is not true. She inquired if the property the school is <br />going to be located on is tax exempt. <br /> <br />Mr. Cairns replied yes. <br /> <br />Ms. Sitz made the statement that the City is placing a tax-exempt property in the Town Center, <br />which is supposed to increase the tax base for the City. She questioned if the PACT Charter <br />School had any connection with the Anoka Hennepin School District. <br /> <br />Mr. Cairns explained that An0ka Hennepin was a sponsor for the PACT Charter School for the <br />first several years, but they are now sponsored by Bethel College, which complies with all the <br />rules of Church and State. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to close the public <br />hearing. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, and Councilmembers Kurak, Cook, Elvig, Pearson, <br />Strommen, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. <br /> <br />The public hearing closed at 7:28 p.m. <br /> <br />Council Action <br /> <br />The regular meeting of the City Council was called back to order at 7:28 p.m. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that when the Council discussed the issue at a work session she <br />had some questions about the statute language that was included in the resolution because the <br />language pertaining to blighted property did not apply to this situation. It was her understanding <br />that there was a new draft of the resolution that removes the language that is not relevant. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman presented an amended Resolution for Council consideration. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kurak inquired if the City had anY security measures in place to assure that the <br />City costs will be covered by the issuance of the bonds. <br /> <br />Finance Officer Lund explained that the City does have an escrow with the PACT Charter <br />School and the language in the resolution indicates that the PACT Charter School will pay for <br />the costs incurred by the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Cairns explained that there are many reserves maintained from the bonds for different <br />purposes, which would cover those issues. <br /> <br />P76 <br /> <br />City Council/December 16, 2003 <br /> Page 6 of 32 <br /> <br /> <br />