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<br />approved changes to the City’s IT department and noted more staff would be brought on board to <br />assist in meeting the City’s changing technological needs. He commented on the recent <br />neighborhood meetings that were held at Freedom and Hanson Parks. <br /> <br />VII. Chair and Vice-Chair Recommendation <br /> <br />Gundlach requested the EDC recommend a Chair and Vice-Chair for the coming year. <br /> <br />Chair Zisla stated he would be willing to serve as the Chair of the EDC for the coming year. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Benke, seconded by Commissioner Murlowski to appoint Paul Zisla as <br />Chair of the EDC for the coming year. <br /> <br />Approved 6-0 <br /> <br />Motion by Chair Zisla, seconded by Commissioner Benke to appoint Harry Carter as Vice-Chair <br />of the EDC for the coming year. <br /> <br />Approved 6-0 <br /> <br />VIII. Comprehensive Plan Update – Housing & Economic Development <br /> <br />Gundlach reviewed the most recent version of the Housing & Economic Development Chapter <br />of the Comprehensive Plan with the EDC. The Commission has conducted several meetings on <br />the Comprehensive Plan update process, and this chapter reflects the study areas this commission <br />is responsible for overseeing. <br /> <br />Gundlach explained much of this chapter, especially the housing content, is existing content <br />from the current Comprehensive Plan. This has been updated to reflect changes that have <br />occurred since the last update, the Commission’s discussion related to the Council’s strategic <br />priority, and various elements required by the Metropolitan Council. <br /> <br />Gundlach stated additionally, more thorough economic development content has been included <br />in this chapter, again to reflect the Commission’s discussions related to the Council’s strategic <br />priority of Economic Development. The Implementation Tools towards the end of this chapter, <br />related to economic development, will be better defined in the coming week by HKGI. The <br />City’s Comprehensive Plan consultant, HKGI, will be finalizing this section by the end of April. <br /> <br />Gundlach commented staff is asking the Commission to review this information and provide <br />comment. Comments will be incorporated into the final draft. The final draft will be presented to <br />Council in late April or early May, at which time the entire plan will be released for the <br />mandatory six-month comment period. Before final adoption towards the end of 2018, the <br />Commission will likely review this chapter one last time. <br /> <br />Discussion included: <br />• The Commission discussed the number of affordable housing units that would have to be <br />added to the City over the next 10 years. It was noted the Korean Church property would <br />be a good site for affordable housing. <br />• The Commission asked if the 164 units was a mandate by the Met Council. Staff <br />reported this was a goal rather than a mandate. The tax credit methods and subsidies <br />used for creating affordable housing was further discussed, along with how AMI <br />percentages were calculated.