2020.03.10 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

March 10, 2020 Page 2 of 6  Public Safety Commission Minutes from January 13, 2020.  Planning Commission Minutes from October 15, 2019.  EDC Minutes from November 6, 2019.  Planning Commission Minutes from December 17, 2019. Special Order of Business 1. Annual Report from Planning Commission Chair Erin Nichols-Matkaiti. Planning Commission Chair Erin Nichols-Matkaiti provided the Council with the annual report from the Planning Commission. She thanked Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola for serving as the staff liaison to the Commission. She explained the Planning Commission acted as an advisory board to the City Council. She described the role of the Planning Commission and listed the members currently serving on the Commission. She noted the group had two vacancies at this time. She reported the Planning Commission meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month and noted the meeting time would be moving to 6:30 p.m. She reviewed the items the Commission addressed in 2019 and discussed the development project highlights as well as the legislative project highlights. She commented on the issues the Commission would be addressing in 2020 which included a review of plans for the Benedictine Health Center, and Zoning Code updates. Councilmember Burg thanked Chair Nichols-Matkaiti for her strong leadership on the Planning Commission. Councilmember Jacobsen appreciated Chair Nichols-Matkaiti as well and stated he appreciated the dedicated service of all of the members on the Planning Commission. Councilmember Dunsworth commented it was an honor to serve as the Council liaison for the last year. She appreciated how dedicated these members were to the City and how well prepared they were for each Planning Commission meeting. Mayor Johnson commended Chair Nichols-Matkaiti for being a strong leader and for running the Planning Commission meetings so well. She stated she appreciated how well this group worked together. Councilmember Allen requested Chair Nichols-Matkaiti send the Council’s thanks for the Planning Commission members dedicated service to the City of New Brighton. 2. Tax Increment District Update – Tom Denaway, BakerTilly. Finance Director Davitt explained Tom Denaway from BakerTilly was present to provide the Council with a report on the City’s TIF Districts. Tom Denaway, BakerTilly, introduced himself to the City Council and noted BakerTilly was formerly known as Springsted. He provided the Council with an update on the City’s Tax Increment Districts. He began the discussion with an overview on tax increment financing and explained how this tool was utilized by cities. The types of TIF districts include redevelopment, renewal and renovation, housing, soils conditions, and economic development. The terms for each of these districts was described along with the criteria for establishment of a district. The fundamentals of tax increment financing was discussed as well as the typical expenses that were eligible for TIF funds. He provided further comment on the statutory findings needed to approve a TIF district which included the “but for” test. He summarized the TIF districts the City currently has in place and described the impact TIF districts have on development. He commended the Council for successfully using TIF in the City and he described the benefits of using TIF on projects in New Brighton. Recommendations for the City were reviewed and Mr. Denaway thanked the Council for their time. Councilmember Burg stated she loved TIF and thanked Mr. Denaway for his detailed report. She explained the risk of using TIF was low and benefits for the City were great. She appreciated how TIF has been used to increase redevelopment along with the tax base in New Brighton. Councilmember Jacobsen thanked Mr. Denaway for his thoughtful presentation. He believed TIF was a valuable tool for the City when facing redevelopment and has truly helped New Brighton to enhance its tax base. Special Order of Business 1. Annual Report from Planning Commission Chair Erin Nichols- Matkaiti. 2. Tax Increment District Update – Tom Denaway, BakerTilly.