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1995-10-12 Council Workshop Livable Comm ActMinutes of the Workshop Meeting Held Thursday, October 12, 1995 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a workshop meeting of the City Council, of the City of Mendota Heights, was held at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:15 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Huber, Koch and Smith. Councilmember Krebsbach had notified the Council that she would be late. Staff members present were City Administrator Tom Lawell, and Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. Guests present were Gunnar Isberg and Judy Hollander, Metropolitan Council planners. WELCOME AND City Administrator Lawell introduced Gunnar Isberg and Judy Hollander INI 1ODUCTIONS from the Metropolitan Council who were present to provide the City Council with an overview of the Livable Communities Act, which is being implemented by the Metropolitan Council. LIVABLE E Mr. Isberg and Ms. Hollander provided a presentation on the Livable Communities Act and the role of the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Isberg described the process and the time lines for community action, including a November 15th deadline for opting to participate in the Livable Communities Act and a December 15th deadline for establishing goals, to be negotiated with the Metropolitan Council, to address low income and life -cycle housing. The presentation included a discussion of the purpose of the act, defined affordable housing, defined life cycle housing, discussed the resources available for participating communities and described the three funding accounts that would be available to participating communities. Mr. Isberg stated that the resources are available to assist communities in affordable and life cycle housing, clean up of polluted sites for businesses and jobs and for new development that would link housing, jobs and transportation. Mr Isberg described the Local Housing Incentives Account, the Tax Base Revitalization Account and the Livable Communities Demonstration Account. The Council discussed these funding accounts. Councilmember Smith inquired if the Housing Incentives Account could be used to make existing housing stock affordable by providing funds to fill the gap between market rates and low income affordability levels. Mr. Isberg discussed the Remonstration account and new urbanism efforts to have less of an automobile dependent land use with higher densities. Councilmember Krebsbach arrived at 7:40 p.m. Mr. Isberg again described "how to participate" in the Livable Communities Act. Mr. Isberg and the Council discussed the Resolution to elect to participate that is required prior to November 15, 1995. Mr. Isberg and the Council discussed the Housing Goals Statement required prior to December 15, 1995. Mr. Isberg and the Council discussed the Action Plan that will be required of participating cities by June 30, 1996. Mr. Isberg stated that the Metropolitan Council will review the Action Plans, but will not be approving them. Mr. Isberg discussed what steps a city could take, in its action plan, in order to make positive, incremental changes to meet the intent and spirit of this new law. Mayor Mertensotto pointed out that the City had not approved a request to raise the building permit fees, thereby helping to keep development costs down for new housing. The Council discussed the housing goals agreement with Mr. Isberg and Ms. Hollander. Mr. Isberg stated that the planning area and sector maps are used to compare Mendota Heights to "similarly situated" communities for the purpose of establishing benchmarks. City Council reviewed these maps and benchmarks. Lawell pointed out that the Metropolitan Councils data did not include post -1990 development in the SouthEast Area and that would raise percentages of affordable and life cycle housing closer to the benchmarks. Mr. Isberg stated that the Metropolitan Council is not expecting us to reach the benchmarks, only to strive towards these benchmarks and goals by acting positively to create change. Councilmember Krebsbach stated for housing purposes it made more sense to look at our school district boundaries when looking for a community. She stated that ISD -197 contained many affordable and life -cycle housing units in northern Eagan and in West St. Paul. Mayor Mertensotto described Mendota Heights land use plan adoption in 1959 and our consistent approach to community planning, protection of wetlands and bluff lines, and our zoning around the air noise impacted areas. Mr. Isberg recommended that Mendota Heights document any relevant information in the goals agreement. There was a concern expressed about creating a shift in the City's tax capacity if the benchmarks are met. Mr. Isberg described the Affordable and Life -Cycle Housing Opportunities Amount (ALHOA). Council inquired how much this amount would be in future years. City Administrator Lawell inquired if any cities had indicated they did not have enough time to properly address all the questions and concerns raised about the implications of participation in this new act. Mayor Mertensotto inquired if the legislation is specific that participation must occur by November 15, 1995. Mr. Isberg indicated yes. Mr. Isberg stated that participation is done on an annual basis, however, the goals and the action plan are a once only effort that lasts until year 2010. The Council thanked Mr. Isberg and Ms. Hollander for their presentation and for their time in responding to Council questions and concerns. The City Council discussed their options about participation and goal adoption. The City Council discussed the other targeted communities that have priority for the Local Housing Incentives Account due to their high fiscal disparities contributions. The Council discussed their ability to opt out once they have elected to participate. The Council directed staff to prepare a proposed resolution of participation for their consideration. The Council directed staff to work with Metropolitan Council staff to update the data used for the benchmarks and to prepare documentation to negotiate goals. This item was carried over until the Fire Department can schedule a mutually convenient time to consider this request. PERSONNEL MATTERS City Administrator Lawell announced that he has accepted a position with the City of Sequim, Washington that begins on December 1, 1995. ADJOURN There being no further business, the City Council adjourned at 10:30 p.m.