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Councilmember Kuzma commented that he has been a supporter of the project since the time it <br /> was anticipated, noting that phase two was a part of the phase one process. He stated that he <br /> supports the project, as he previously has. <br /> Councilmember Riley stated that the Council had a discussion about one month ago and came to <br /> the consensus of putting a pause on apartment/high-density development within The COR. He <br /> stated that the high density within The COR has out stripped the other development and would like <br /> to pause apartment development until retail and restaurant development has caught up. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau asked for clarification on Councilmember Riley's comment, noting that <br /> construction would not begin until 2022, which would provide a time for other development to <br /> catch up. <br /> Councilmember Riley stated that he would like to see additional retail and restaurant opportunities <br /> developed prior to this moving forward. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau stated that he would hope that this could move forward with this step and the <br /> Council could hope that other projects could move forward concurrently. <br /> Councilmember Riley stated that he would not support allowing this to move forward now with <br /> the intention that a final decision would be made later. <br /> Councilmember Heinrich thanked Aeon for allowing her to tour the property, noting that it is a <br /> nice property and a nice product. She stated that her issue is with timing. She noted that she <br /> cannot move forward with this right now as she believes that the retail and restaurant development <br /> will be delayed because of COVID-19. She hoped that the City and Aeon could work together in <br /> the future but did not believe this is the right timing. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove stated that she has concerns with the State being able to provide the <br /> funds. She recognized that Aeon stated that they would have more points in the application process <br /> but was unsure if the State would have funds available for this purpose. <br /> Ms. Harris replied that the State continues with the same threshold of funds for affordable housing. <br /> She provided additional information on the tax credits that are made available by the Federal <br /> government, noting that there is a very competitive market for the credits and therefore they are <br /> not concerned that the funds would not be available. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove stated that she has concerns that the State may not have the funds <br /> available because of the impacts of COVID-19. She stated that the term "residents of Ramsey" <br /> was used to describe the applicants of the apartments and asked if the applicants for phase one <br /> came from Ramsey or whether they came from outside neighborhoods. <br /> Alan Arthur, Aeon, stated that it would most likely be a mix of both residents from Ramsey and <br /> other communities, similar to residents that move into any new housing product in Ramsey. He <br /> stated that more than half the jobs in Anoka County are at or slightly above minimum wage, and <br /> therefore there is demand for this type of housing. <br /> City Council/June 9, 2020 <br /> Page 14 of 17 <br />