Agenda - Council - 10/25/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Finance Director Lund explained that originally the percentage was 0.25 and had been increased to .50 percent. She noted that typically the rate is one percent and therefore that is why staff is recommending the change to one percent. Councilmember Riley stated that it appears that these changes are strictly housekeeping. Councilmember LeTourneau referenced the debt management policy, specifically regarding the concerns of the Charter Commission. Finance Director Lund stated that it seemed to her that the main concern of the Charter Commission was regarding the EDA, specifically that the City would use the EDA for debt to avoid referendum. She noted that she could provide additional clarification following the Charter Commission meeting later this month. Mayor Strommen confirmed the consensus of the Council to move this item ahead to approval on a regular agenda. 2.02: Future Business Park Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reviewed the staff report. Councilmember Riley stated that the City has a lot invested already in a business park and the Council understands how important that is and therefore he does not want to see that go away. He stated that concern would be that the assumption of Capstone would be that the City would invest in infrastructure to the level that was discussed previously for the business park. He stated that there should be a new discussion regarding that development. Councilmember Williams agreed that the EDA did not support the same level of infrastructure participation with the split uses. Councilmember LeTourneau agreed that this would be two different uses and desires. He agreed that the primary function would be business park but the residential development also helps Ramsey reach another goal for additional households. He stated that if the Pearson properties are developed into residential, the neighboring properties may also choose to develop residentially rather than business park. Mayor Strommen stated that this is almost two discussions, the first remembering how this decision for a business park began noting that this was the best location for a business park. She stated that perhaps that discussion needs to be revisited to determine the business park needs and where that development could occur. She agreed that if the Pearson property is allowed to develop as residential, the zoning of the neighboring properties may also need to be reconsidered. Councilmember Kuzma asked the type of infrastructure that was installed on the Hageman school site, whether the sewer and water was installed for residential or industrial. City Council Work Session / October 11, 2016 Page 2 of 6