09-27-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 27, 2010 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (9. METROPOLITANLIVABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM PARTICIPATION, Continued) White noted he has experience working with HRAs and in his opinion it would difficult to do affordable housing in Orono due to the cost of the land. The developer would need to obtain financial assistance from other sources, and all of those sources require the City to participate in the process and approve the assistance. Murphy stated his concern is that for all the time he has been on the Council, the City has not really addressed this issue. The Council had a workshop a number of years ago to discuss different types of housing, and in terms of affordable housing, the City has not done much strategic planning. The expectation in the larger community is that the Council should be considering that as well as other lifecycle housing. Murphy stated the application with the parcel near the fire station showed the City's lack of direction in that regard. Murphy stated he is not sure how to answer those questions without sitting down and developing some strategic goals. Bremer noted the City has the option to say no to the program and that the City has not received any funds from this program since 2000 and the City has not had anything that would qualify for funding. Bremer asked how long the approval is good for. Gaffron pointed out this is a 10 -year renewal and that the last time the Council set any goals was in 1996. If the City would like to be involved in the program, there will need to be goals that have to be established • for the next ten years. Gaffron indicated he is not sure if it would be possible for the City to become involved in this program two to three years from now. Bremer noted the City did ask the Metropolitan Council to send a representative out to the City to answer these types of questions and was informed that the old representative is retiring and that the new representative is just coming on board. Bremer commented she is assuming other cities are just signing these agreements. White noted the City of Mound utilized some of the funds to improve their downtown area. White stated the funds do not have to be allocated specifically to housing and that the City could perhaps use some of the funds to improve the Navarre area. Murphy stated he is in agreement with Mayor White, but that he has a concern with committing to a specific program with the Metropolitan Council until the City has some strategic goals established. Gaffron stated Staff can submit a letter to the effect that the City is uncommitted at this time and see what the Metropolitan Council's response is. Franchot commented the maximum penalty would be that Orono would not be part of the program, which is currently the situation. McMillan stated the Council should be aware of the disadvantages to belonging to this program. Gaffron stated those are questions that can be asked of the representative but that it is his understanding • this resolution does not tie the City to any particular project. Bremer suggested a letter be written to the Metropolitan Council reflecting the Council's concerns and getting the Metropolitan Council's written input on those concerns. Page 7 of 9