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<br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas stated this has not been a concern in New Brighton. She commented further on the <br />City’s efforts to inspect single-family residential rentals in the community in order to protect tenants. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle discussed the naturally occurring affordable housing in the community and noted <br />there was a need for three bedroom units that are at 50% AMI or less. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen commented on the robust economic assistance and affordable housing programs that <br />were in place in Bloomington and Minneapolis. He stated New Brighton was not large enough to have these <br />same types of programs in place. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas reported the City has established a housing fund that would be available to help <br />residents in the future. She explained New Brighton does not have an HRA. <br /> <br />Senator Kunesh stated there was a need for cities to protect affordable housing that were already in the place. <br /> <br />Massopust discussed how housing credits assisted the City with protecting current affordable housing units. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth reported the developers were driving the affordability levels for the units that have <br />been recently developed. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the recent housing developments that were constructed in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Massopust noted the City’s forest was a priority and noted it would be a real cost to the City to address <br />emerald ash borer. He asked that some program be set up at a State level to provide grants to assist with <br />addressing EAB. He explained sustainability and the environment was a priority to the City. He noted the <br />Council was currently working on a climate action plan. He reported the City Council supported stronger <br />background checks being conducted on individuals with mental health histories for the safety of the public. In <br />addition, the Council supported the State legislature recognizing PTSD as a treatable disease. <br /> <br />Paetznick discussed how difficult it was to train and retain officers at this time. He explained agencies needed <br />assistance with additional mental health and social services. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas believed it was important for officers to have proper training and resources, <br />especially for the officers that need help. She explained this would assist with avoiding other types of <br />problems in the future. <br /> <br />Massopust requested the State revisit the THC matter and that municipalities be involved in the future <br />conversations in order to better understand how they will be impacted by this product. He encouraged the State <br />to consider addressing the theft of catalytic convertors. <br /> <br />Senator Marty stated he would be proposing legislation in 2023 to address this concern. <br /> <br />Jen Lehmann provided the representatives with a presentation on the activities occurring within the New <br />Brighton administrative offices and discussed the projects she was currently overseeing. <br /> <br />Schlichting reviewed the initiatives he would be addressing in 2023, which included a zoning code update and <br />housing study, climate action plan, single family home rental licensing as well as the reconstruction of Old <br />Highway 8. <br /> <br />