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October 24 , 2017 Page 4 of 6 He reported representatives from the school district had met with the City Council at a previous worksession meeting and provided background information on the referendum request. He made it clear that Neighbors United were asking for the Resolution of Support and not the school district. Councilmember Strub commented he was the only Councilmember that still had children in the school district and he indicated he would be fully offering his support of the proposed Resolution. However, he understood that the other Councilmembers had children that attended the local schools. He stated a recent study showed that for every dollar invested in schools there was a $20 in benefits to the local economy and property values would rise. He provided further comment on how important it was for cities to have strong schools for the next generation of students. He discussed how the school district enrollment was on the rise. He encouraged residents to offer their support to the referendum due to the fact the school district benefits the entire community, children in ECFE all the way to seniors involved Community Education. Councilmember Burg reported Mounds View and Irondale were top ten schools in the state along with being top in the country. She stated it was critically important to the community to have good schools. She noted it had been 18 years since the school district requested funding from the public. She encouraged the residents of New Brighton to offer their support to the school district. Councilmember Bauman stated she was very pleased New Brighton had a thriving schools district. However, she did not believe it was the City Council’s place to approve a Resolution of Support for the school districts referendum. It was her opinion every entity of government was separate. She noted this action was not done for the recent St. Anthony Village referendum and for this reason, she would not be supporting the Resolution. Councilmember Strub commented that Shoreview, Mounds View and Vadnais Heights had approved similar Resolutions of support for the school district referendum. Mayor Johnson stated the Council was taking this action based on the request of Neighbors United and not at the request of the school district. She reported the same action could be taken for the St. Anthony Village school district, however the City was not approved a group requesting the Council’s support. She was very proud of the fact both Mounds View and Irondale were top 10 schools in the State and believed that this was drawing young families into the City of New Brighton. She discussed the importance of the community investing in its schools and noted she would be offering her support to the Resolution. Councilmember Jacobsen stated he struggled with this Resolution. He explained he attended Irondale, along with his children. He understood the school district had a need to reinvest in its facilities as it had been 18 years since the last school bond. He explained that even with his misgivings on this Resolution, he would be offering his support. 4 Ayes, 1 Nay (Bauman)-Motion Carried 3. Resolution to Consider Participation in the EPA Community Air Partnership. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Strub to adopt a Resolution approving the participation in the EPA Community Air Partnership. Councilmember Bauman stated she had concerns with some of the language within the partnership agreement and questioned how staff would define “as long as progress was being made”. Community Assets and Development Director Schlichting discussed the initial phase of this partnership and how the City would benchmark energy use in the City. After this was complete, efficiencies would be discussed along with how the City’s housing stock could be addressed. Councilmember Jacobsen questioned if the agreement could be terminated if the City was not seeing a benefit. Community Assets and Development Director Schlichting explained New Brighton was one of the smaller cities that have been selected for this partnership. However, because the school district has been included, there was a value to the EPA. He anticipated the City could get out of the partnership if the Council perceived there was no benefit to the City. Councilmember Strub stated there were no fees associated with this program. He indicated New Brighton was selected for this program and would receive priority for grant funding, as well as assistance with reaching 3. Resolution to Consider Participation in the EPA Community Air Partnership.