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<br />Ms. Skepper replied yes, this would work just like the BRA does now. Ramsey has the City <br />BRA and also has the County BRA they can participate with for additional funds to draw on. <br />State Statutes were followed in creating this EDA. There are many countywide EDA's out there. <br />There will not be a fourth levy; it will be one levy at a slightly higher rate with the County BRA <br />with the EDA powers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig requested clarification on whether the levy would go up to $11 or if it <br />would be an additional $11 if the BRA and EDA levy are pooled together as one levy. <br /> <br />Ms. Skepper replied the levy would be up to an additional $11 if the maximum EDA levy were <br />to be used. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he is not decided on this at all, but would like to recap the good <br />things. The benefits are regional. Eminent domain was discussed and it will be more and more <br />difficult to mass properties, and the properties will become much more expensive. There would <br />need to be a fairly large pool of money brought in to entice a group of willing sellers, and it will <br />take real resources to make that happen. That is a tremendous tool that may become more <br />useful. The other thing is that although it is another tax, more than that it is another resource to <br />pool bonded dollars and things of that nature to do large projects on a timed basis for payoff that <br />could essentially double the City's current capabilities. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey asked how the communities that do not opt in to the EDA will be <br />handled. Be asked whether they will have the ability to do regional projects and countywide <br />initiatives that everyone will benefit from, with other communities carrying the load for them. <br /> <br />Ms. Skepper replied she does not agree with that. With a feasibility study it would be hard to <br />skip over a major city, but when it is time to build out the community would be bypassed or <br />asked to participate. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey asked if communities that opt out in the early days will be able to opt in <br />the future. <br /> <br />Ms. Skepper replied State Statute allows communities to opt in, the same as with the County <br />BRA. When the County established the BRA, Ramsey did not participate, but later saw the <br />value and opted in. There is also an opt out clause after five years. <br /> <br />Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan stated regarding the Anoka County Partners, the <br />EDA decided to participate with the Partners because of the regional aspect. From the EDA <br />perspective they would be supportive of an organization that is doing that, but they would not <br />participate with both organizations. <br /> <br />Ms. Skepper indicated the County decided to move slowly with the EDA after talking to Larry <br />Peterson. The Anoka County Partners had identified results in their project work plan so the <br />County backed off with the EDA for one year; however, they need to fund things based on <br />performance. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / July 31, 2007 <br />Page 7 of 18 <br />