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i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I stated that the $7500 could be borrowed from the City's genera/ fund and when tax increment dollars start ooming into Ramsey, the general fund can be paid back. The $7500 figure would covez pzeparation of Ramsey's tax increment plan and required resolution. Ms. Norris reviewed Attachment I to these minutes with Council. Mayor Heit~m~mn requested reasons why Mr. Schnelle is r~nding the Council Declaration method rather than Housin9 Redevelopment Authority method. Mr. Schnelle stated that Housing Redevelopment Authority would be acceptable if Council served as the board members. Mr. Lyle McLaughlin was present and stated that Anoka's Housing Redeveloim~nt Authority board is appointed; that board spends time and money on studies which sometimes result in being voted down by Council. Mr McLaughlin reoo~ that Ramsey proceed with a Housing Redevelolx~ent Authority with Council as the board me~bers as it's powers are a lot broader and a lot of bureaucratic operation that ends up wasting money is avoided b~ having Council as the board members. Motion by Councilmmber Cox and seoonded by Councilm~nber Sorteberg that the Ramsey City Council hereby is establishing a Council declared Tax Increment Program and that Ms. Arlin Waelti of O'Connor and Hannan be engaged, at a cost not to exceed $7500, to work with Ramsey's City Staff in preparing that Tax Incr~m~ent Plan. Further, that if another method of establishing a Tax Increment Program should prove to be more beneficial. Council may amend this action taken. Further Discussion: Mayor Heitman stated that Ra~sey is pushing off into a whole new ball game and not proceeding cautiously could be very harmful- Councilmember COx stated that it is important for Council to act prudently as they proceed and that is the reason for engaging a legal firm; Council should act conservatively from this point on to insure a benefit rather than a cost to the oo~munity. Mayor Heitman stated that there are numerous areas in Ramsey that could benefit from tax increment financing other than those listed on Attac/mment I of these _m_~nutes and Council should look ahead to that. Councilm~r Sorteberg stated that he feels tax increment financing is a good idea and Council should proceed to follow it through. Councilmember Reimann stated that he was very impressed with Ms- Waelti's presentation on April 30 and he is convinced that tax increment financing is a good tool is used properly. Councilmember Schlueter stated she appreciated Ms. Waelti's expertise on the subject of tax increment financing and she feels it will be something very positive for the City. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heitman, Councilms~bers Sorteberg, Cox, Reimann and Schlueter. Voting No: None. Mayor Heitman stated that right now Ramsey has nothing in place for tax increment financing; it is on an 'as it oomes' basis as opposed to directing tax incr~ent financing towards where the City wants develolm~_nt to occur. Mr. McLaughlin stated that negotiations are in the final stages for a May 7, 1985 Page 3 of 4