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<br /> <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen stated he had the understanding a public conversation had never been held and now was <br />the time for the Council to consider this matter. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson requested comment from Council on this issue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked if the project would be delayed if th e affordability issue and TIF were <br />readdressed. Lotter commented the challenge with developments is they occur over an extended period of time <br />and require a large number of meetings. He stated he was surprised by the fact a Commissioner of the EDC <br />raised this question and not the Chair of the EDC. He explained that part of the issue with this particular <br />development was that the developers were brought together by direction of the Council. He indicated that may <br />have been a time to have a discussion regarding the AMI mix with the body. However, once a land use <br />application has been submitted, rights were in place to see this process through. He reported it was a <br />competitive process to receive tax credits for affordable housing units. <br /> <br />Gozola commented State law may be changing in the coming years for allow for averaging to address the <br />current problem. He explained affordable housing tax credits were extremely competitive and another avenue <br />needs to be provided to allow for some flexibility in the AMI for the units. He stated at this time, once bonds <br />are in place, the units would have to remain at 60% AMI. Lotter indicated he was more comfortable with the <br />private sector financing, constructing and owning a building as they seem fit. He was of the opinion the City <br />was in the best possible position for this project as the City was constructing valuable housing that a teacher or <br />shop mechanic could afford. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg stated she appreciated the fact this item was being discussed and understood it should <br />have perhaps been addressed at an earlier date. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson discussed the process that was followed to get an item on a worksession agenda noting only <br />two Councilmembers have to make the request. She indicated she had not placed this item on an agenda in the <br />past because she supported the affordability of the units as proposed by the developer. She stated for time <br />purposes she would like to end discussion on this topic in order to get to the regularly scheduled City Council <br />meeting. <br /> <br /> <br />Worksession adjourned at 6:18 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Terri Spangrud <br />City Clerk <br />