2021.07.27 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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community for feedback. Councilmember Abdulle stated he would like the DEI Consultancy Strategy Team to provide a clear definition of terms. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how staff would be seeking feedback on the equity statement. Massopust reported the DEI Consultancy Strategy Team would be discussing this at their next meeting. Councilmember Allen inquired when applications would be accepted for the DEI Commission. Massopust stated he does not know when the application period would be open but anticipated this would be worked out as the team works through the DEI Commission Charter. Councilmember Dunsworth asked where the DEI Coordinator position would be posted. She encouraged the City to use diverse sites in order to engage with the BIPOC community. Massopust indicated the position would be posted on the League of Minnesota Cities website, along with the City's website. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas suggested the job be posted on Linked In. Councilmember Axberg recommended the former task force members be notified that the City would be posting for Commission members. Ms. Tabor thanked the Council for their comments and questions. She noted she would be back before the Council again on August 24tn Tax Increment Financing Districts Review (Draft TIF Report)with Mikaela Huot, Baker Tilley Tom Danoway, Baker Tilly, provided the Council with a summary on the fundamentals of tax increment financing, the types of TIF districts and discussed the City's existing TIF districts. He noted the TIF districts that had been decertified within the last three years. He described how the City and other taxing districts have benefited by the use of TIF. He commented further on an executive summary of TIF as a development tool. He explained there were a lot of rules and laws in place with respect to the use of TIF. He then commented on a new redevelopment TIF district that was being proposed for the US Bank site. Councilmember Abdulle inquired if all taxing districts were impacted by TIF districts. Mr. Danoway reviewed how all taxing districts were impacted by TIF districts. Councilmember Dunsworth questioned who determined when a property was blighted. Mr. Danoway reported the City Council ultimately makes this determination based on information provided by staff or outside consultants/engineering firms. Councilmember Axberg asked how TIF districts were able to decertify early. Mr. Danoway explained when TIF revenues were set they were done in a conservative manner and projections may not have a market value inflation assumption. Therefore, as property inflates over time and tax revenues are higher, TIF districts are able to decertify early. Councilmember Abdulle requested further information regarding the "but for" test and how this would be determined for the US Bank site. Mr. Danoway described how the "but for" test was followed for affordable housing projects.