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Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Kurak, to recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution transferring $8,500 from the Council Contingency Fund to the budget of Mayor & Council to fund the Opportunity Site tour to Chicago. Further discussion: Councilmember Hendriksen stated that the original comments that were made regarding the trip were that the trip would be entirely covered by sponsorship. City Administrator Norman replied that it is staff's hope that the cost of the trip will be entirely covered. Councilmember Hendriksen suggested that the benefited landowners be asked to help sponsor the trip. Councilmember Anderson inquired if the funds are transferred out of the contingency fund, will there be adequate funds for the rest of the year. Finance Officer Lund reviewed the funds that have been taken from the contingency funds noting that there would be $43,000 after $8,500 was taken out. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to why they are taking a trip to Chicago. He questioned as to what staff hopes to find in Chicago that they can't find locally. City Administrator Norman replied that there are mixed uses in the metro area, but Chicago is transit oriented and they have development around the rail stations. Councilmember Kurak noted that QCTV and the newspaper would also be going to Chicago to provide an opportunity for the residents to see what they are talking about as well. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired if there had been a study of Ramsey residents to see if they would be willing to ride a train or would they rather spend the money on improving the highway system. Mayor Gamec replied that a study has not been done of Ramsey alone, but one was done which included a three to five mile radius of the proposed rail station. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired as to how much a study would cost. City Administrator Norman replied that they could include those questions on the Community Center study that is going to be sent out to all the residents. Councilmember Zimmerman questioned the annual maintenance fees for a rail station. Mayor Gamec replied that the Northstar Corridor study included that information. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to where the ongoing maintenance costs would come from and who is going to be assessed for the operations. He felt that it would be more of a benefit to build the bridge across the fiver rather than spending $200 million for the North Star corridor. Mayor Gamec stated that he believes that the trip will be a benefit. Councilmember Anderson stated that she supported the trip because they will be able to see first hand other opportunity sties with the rail component, as well as a development that has a town center, river crossing and rail station that all comes together. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Kurak, Anderson, and Zimmerman. Voting No: Councilmember Hendriksen. Case #5: TIF Projections Finance Officer Lund stated that during the Finance Committee meeting of June 26, 2001, Finance Chair Hendriksen asked staff to prepare a summary of costs spent and increment collected on tax increment projects throughout the City. The results were to be brought back to the Finance Committee at a later date. Staff requested further clarification of the request regarding the segregation of public improvements such as streets, water tower, etc. from the reporting or private development costs. Finance Committee/August 14, 2001 Page 5 of 7