Agenda - Council - 08/27/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Our Mistioi}: To work together to reipoiibly grew our comma nityr, and to provide quality, cent-oliBcdwe, and efficient government services. CC Regular Session 7. 2. Meeting Date: 08/27/2019 By: Tim Gladhill, Community Development Information Title: Receive Update on Metropolitan Council Brownfield Cleanup Grant Award and Discuss Fair Housing Policy Requirement Purpose/Background: No action is being requested this evening. The purpose of this case is to introduce a requirement of a recently awarded cleanup grant related to River Walk Village, case of Village Bank. This case does not contemplate approval of the Grant Agreement itself, but introduces a necessary discussion topic in advance of this step. The Grant Agreement and Final Plat for River Walk Village are tentatively scheduled for Council consideration on September 10. Specifically, this case is to review a requirement of the Metropolitan Council's Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA) Grant Award to the City for brownfield cleanup for the River Walk Village project located at 6080 Highway 10 NW. This is a 14 lot, detached single-family development. The City was awarded a $900,000 grant to clean up a construction landfill on this site. The Developer will perform the cleanup and be reimbursed by the grant funds. Mechanics and local match related to the grant will be considered on September 10. A requirement of the Grant Award is to adopt a local Fair Housing Policy. This is not a specific mandate from the Metropolitan Council nor the State of Minnesota, but is a requirement in order to disburse funds from the grant. The Council could choose not to adopt a local Fair Housing Policy, but would not be able to accept the grant. Additionally, it would likely preclude Ramsey from future Livable Communities Grants, from which the City has received nearly $6 Million from this account over the past 20 years. As part of the Metropolitan Council's Housing Policy Plan and subsequent local Comprehensive Plan Updates (including Ramsey's), the Metropolitan Council is recommending adoption of a Fair Housing Policy as an advisory comment to our Comprehensive Plan Update. Notification: Notification is not required. Observations/Alternatives: Attached to this case is a Resource Guide prepared by the Metropolitan Council to help identify required elements, advisory guidance, and purpose for adopting a local Fair Housing Policy. The City is already bound by Federal and State Fair Housing requirements, but this policy would specifically note the City's commitment to fair housing and make additional resources available for constituents that may have a complaint. Staff believes the City fully complies with these regulations, especially in terms of land use planning, zoning administration (permitting and licensing), and financial assistance programs. Essentially, this step would officially document a process for complying with existing regulations. If adopted for purposes of the grant, the policy needs to include the following minimum requirements. a Purpose Statement (Why are we adopting this policy? What is the need?)