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Joint Special City Council&HRA Minutes Page 2 <br /> November 4,2013 <br /> Councilmember Wilson questioned the minimum numbers and when they were <br /> established. <br /> Ms. Hout noted the policy was amended in May 2006 but adopted in 1991 and stated <br /> staff could check on how reasonable the numbers are for current tax increment <br /> financing projects. <br /> Mayor Dietz questioned Council and HRA on whether and how TIF should be used <br /> for housing. <br /> Ms. Hout stated they should consider if it is their objective that TIF be used for <br /> housing. If so,then the policy should have some language to allow the city to explore <br /> options. If no, then this change should be made clear in policy. She further stated the <br /> city could limit the types of housing they would like to consider, such as making it <br /> available only for senior housing. <br /> Commissioner Toth questioned the criteria for the scoring sheet and had concerns <br /> with it being too flexible and setting precedence when allowing exceptions. <br /> Ms. Hout stated the policy acts as general guidelines for the city and would be <br /> flexible and dependent upon community need. <br /> Mayor Dietz suggested the policy be flexible enough so each project can stand on its <br /> own. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard stated he is not opposed to keeping housing as a <br /> consideration in TIF districts but he is not sure if the city should narrow down to <br /> development versus a redevelopment scenario. He'd like to allow for TIF for <br /> housing but put it as a lower priority over other types of applications. He'd like to <br /> stay more on the conservative side from the risk component. <br /> Commissioner Kuester stated the commission hasn't covered much with housing <br /> and believes the current project is an opportunity to go to market when there is a <br /> need in the community for senior housing. She stated the Mayfield Study backs up <br /> the need for senior housing. <br /> Commissioner Toth commented he likes the set up the city has with the MN Central <br /> Housing Partnership. He agreed on the need for some housing work done in the <br /> city. He stated TIF may be an avenue worth exploring but it needs to be done <br /> carefully with a new evaluation criteria and looking to the long-term benefits for the <br /> community. <br /> Commissioner Chuba stated he feels it is important for the city to have life cycle <br /> housing with a range of affordable housing for the young and elderly. He stated the <br /> TIF financing should be flexible,but issues need to be worked out, such as how <br /> much TIF to allow, how long it should be good for, and how much increase in value <br /> is expected. <br /> Reuiati Ir <br />