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Mayor Gamec also mentioned other issues businesses are bringing to the City's attention include <br />the need and desire for off-site signs, daycare provider shortages for second and third shift <br />operations, and the shortage and need for rental, affordable, and diversity of housing. <br /> <br />Case #5 <br /> <br />TIF Policy Regarding Housing and Redevelopment <br /> <br />Ms. Sherman introduced the case for the EDA discussion. The City of Ramsey is beginning to <br />receive requests for City assistance with housing projects. It would be of great benefit to staff <br />and the EDA if they could have some discussion of the issue of providing City assistance to <br />housing developments, so the City is better able to answer the questions of developers and make <br />decisions on individual projects. <br /> <br />Mr. Chris Bulow of Bulow, Inc. was present for this discussion. He explained that he is <br />proposing a housing development which includes apartments and owner-occupied twin homes. <br />The site is currently owned by three different people. One of the parcels has an active non- <br />conforming business on it now, and they are asking for a much higher price than the surrounding <br />owners for the land. Mr. Bulow explained that he is requesting City assistance in the form of <br />Tax Increment Financing or other means to acquire the parcel and prepare it for development. <br /> <br />EDA members were not willing to commit to any use of City resources for this project until they <br />had an opportunity to discuss and set a policy for reviewing these types of proposals in general. <br />Unfortunately, there was not enough time to have that discussion at this meeting. The EDA did <br />suggest that staff review options for assisting the project, as it does appear to be the type of <br />housing project that the City is advocating in the proposed draft Comprehensive Plan to meet its <br />Livable Communities housing goals. <br /> <br />Case # 6 <br /> <br />Meeting Room Facility Contract; Case of Ramsey Economic Development <br />Authority (EDA) and Anoka-Hennepin Technical College <br /> <br />Mr. Norman suggested the EDA consider the contract with Anoka-Hennepin Technical College <br />to continue using its meeting facility. The contract would be for one year to use the meeting <br />room and have coffee & roils provided at each meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Hardin asked if it was an issue for other members that the Ramsey EDA was meeting in <br />Anoka, or that taxpayer dollars are spent on coffee and rolls for their meetings. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman stated that because the EDA meeting is at the breakfast hour, the City ought to <br />provide something for members to eat. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec added that if any resident ever raised that issue, he would support the practice. <br />The City is grateful for the time and resources the EDA members commit to service. The stipend <br />paid to members for meetings is meager. Also, the EDA meetings are open to the public, and the <br />rolls are available to residents that attend. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman responded to Mr. Hardin's comment regarding the location of the meetings being in <br />Anoka. The technical college is an important regional resource to residents and businesses, and <br />the City of Ramsey has a growing relationship with the college <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/February 9, 1999 <br /> Page 4 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />