05-20-2013 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes May 20, 2013 Page 5 Councilmember Wilson felt this topic seems to be of interest of the comrnunity and felt it important and reasonable to find ways to reduce train horn noise. Councihnember Burandt concurred urith Councihnember Wilson's statements. Mayor Dietz also concurred, and noted with the increase in train traffic in the city, this would be a reasonable cost to determine what the city's options and final costs would be. Mr. Fetnrite would provide the Council with several proposals for approval at a future meeting of a specific company and proposed cost. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO OBTAIN PROPOSALS FOR THE COMPLETE STUDY OF IMPROVEMENTS TO QUIET TRAIN HORNS BY HIRING A SPECIALIST TO PERFORM A RAIL CROSSING DIAGNOSTIC STUDY, AND TO DETERMINE FINAL COSTS FOR IMPLEMENTING QUIET ZONES AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 4 -1. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN OPPOSED. 8.6 Workforce Housing Concept Support Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report. He explained Mr. Duffy's consideration u1 applying for Low Income Housing Tax Credits with the I\ffinnesota Housing Finance Adtnitnistration. Before doing so, Mr. Duffy requests confirmation from the Council of their support of a project which would address the city's need for affordable or workforce housing. This need u7as based upon the housing study accepted by the Council in 2012, indicating the demand for 90 additional units of affordable or workforce housing by 2017. At this tithe, the support requested does not require Mr. Duffy to indicate a specific project location for affordable or workforce housing, but because of considerable financial obligations Mr. Duffy's application would require, he is requesting the city's support. Council nember Motin was not in favor of agreeing with this support if the proposed location of Mr. Duffy's project specifically listed Elk River Station, as previously suggested, although he was in support of the construction of additional affordable or workforce housing. Councilrnember N,\7ilson stated he -,would support this request due to the findings from the housing study, noting the need for affordable housing in the community. Counciltnember Westgaard agreed -\vith Couriciltnetnber V/ilson's statements, and further reiterated the support was based upon the need for the housing, and not for a specific location. 1\1ayor Dietz stated he agreed with both Councihnember Westgaard and Councilmember Wilson's statements. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON THAT THE COUNCIL RECOGNIZES THE 2012 HOUSING STUDY IDENTIFIES THE NEED FOR 90 AFFORDABLE OR WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS BY THE YEAR 2017, AND THE COUNCIL DESIRES TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE UNITS BY THAT TIME. MOTION CARRIED 4 -1. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN OPPOSED.