Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Councilmember Woestehoff asked if Mr. Nozzerella already has a bill for the legislature. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella said no and shared they are hoping to finalize the bill within the next few weeks. <br />He added he has already written a one-pager for the bill and they are working on a two-page report <br />to supplement it. He shared they hope to pass the resolution in front of the Council so they can <br />show the State that they are serious about bringing this facility to Ramsey. He explained they have <br />already been working with a number of Senators and they are aware of this project and mission. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove shared her concerns with the resolution and the City committing to <br />some things that are unknown. She stated she is not sure how they would agree with all of this <br />information without knowing what some of the unknowns are with regard to the funding and the <br />pass through. She asked how important this resolution is as opposed to a letter of support. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella shared that they would like to set a tone to the State that they would like the funding <br />but they would not like it to be overbearing on the community and that they would support this <br />program as long as it fits within the guidelines of the City. He noted the only piece that they really <br />do not know at this time is how the money is reflected into a management package. He added they <br />want it to be minimized as far as the burden on the City, while reassuring the State that they have <br />a proximity and plan and they know who they will serve and what the outcomes will be. <br /> <br />Economic Development Manager Sullivan explained this would be a two step process. He stated <br />that if this bill is drafted and gets to a situation where it may pass, the City would need to be a <br />party to this agreement which would require additional Council action. He noted that they would <br />be able to not accept the grant if it becomes something the City would not be supportive of. He <br />said this resolution just starts the process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked if any of the funding would be able to go directly to the business <br />rather than having to be passed through the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Nozzerella shared that they will not know until the bill is presented. He added that they do <br />have a foundation that is a 5013c registered through the State. He stated that they feel that if it goes <br />through a City partnership then it will have a better opportunity as there are more people who <br />would be involved in the program. <br /> <br />Mayor Kuzma asked if there was a concern of the Council to support this. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht shared his support for this. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove shared she is slightly hesitant to support this because of the unknowns; <br />however, she loves the idea of the medical aspect. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell said this sounds very interesting and intriguing; however, she would like <br />more time to contemplate this rather than make a decision right away. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / January 9, 2024 <br />Page 4 of 9 <br /> <br />