This transcript represents a joint meeting between the Bloomington City Council and the Bloomington Port Authority. **Note on Speakers:** Per the transcript text, the Port Authority is chaired by **President Erickson** (not on the provided staff list, but identified in dialogue). **Julie Addington** is also identified as a staff expert on Tax Increment Financing (TIF). *** **[00:00:00] Tim Busse:** GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I WILL CALL THE CITY COUNCIL PORTION OF THIS CITY COUNCIL PORT AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING TO ORDER AND I WILL CALL THE PORT AUTHORITY TO ORDER. I'M LOOKING FOR A CITY ATTORNEY. DO WE NEED TO CALL THE ROLL OR ARE WE GOOD TO GO? **[00:00:20] Melissa Manderschied:** YOU DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO SAY NO. WE DO NOT. **[00:00:22] Tim Busse:** OKAY, WE'RE GOOD TO GO THEN. ALL RIGHT. FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JUNE SEVEN, 2022 CONCURRENT CITY COUNCIL AND PORT AUTHORITY MEETING. COUNCIL, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONS TO THE MINUTES? IF NOT I'D LOOK FOR A COUNCIL MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S MINUTES. **[00:00:40] Dwayne Lowman:** I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. **[00:00:42] Tim Busse:** MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE COUNCIL. FROM THE COUNCIL'S PERSPECTIVE, NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. PROPOSED MOTION CARRIES SIX-ZERO. AND I WOULD ENTERTAIN A SIMILAR MOTION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY FOR THE MINUTES. **[00:01:05] Commissioner Peterson:** MOTION MADE. **[00:01:07] President Erickson:** MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON. DO I HAVE A SECOND? **[00:01:10] Commissioner Carter:** SECOND. **[00:01:12] President Erickson:** SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CARTER. ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS? IF NOT ALL FAVORABLY SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. MOTION CARRIED FIVE-ZERO. EXTENDED ON OUR AGENDA IN 2.1 DISCUSSION IN THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER WHICH HAS BEEN AN EXCITING DISCUSSION WE'VE BEEN HAVING HERE IN CITY HALL AND I KNOW IT'S AN IMPORTANT PROJECT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER BOTH BOTH OF THESE BODIES VERY, VERY DIRECTLY AND IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS. SO INTERESTING TO HEAR THE UPDATE AND HEARING MORE ABOUT IT. WE'VE GOT BARB WOLF AND CARLA HENDERSON WITH US THIS EVENING. GOOD EVENING. WELCOME. **[00:01:50] Carla Henderson:** GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. YES, MR. MAYOR, PRESIDENT ERICKSON, CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSION MEMBERS. BARB POINTED OUT THAT WE WERE HERE SIX MONTHS AGO TO THE DAY PRESENTING, AND WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROGRESS. BUT I REALLY WANT TO GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO BARB WOLF AND EMILY LARSON FROM OUR COED TEAM. THEY HAVE BEEN THE DRIVERS. THEY HAVE DONE ALL THE HEAVY LIFTING IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. AND SO JUST TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY: WE WANTED TO CREATE A SPACE AND COMMUNITY THAT INSPIRES ENTREPRENEURIALISM. SO WE ARE TAKING FORMER FIRE STATION NUMBER THREE AND REPURPOSING IT. HERE IS WHERE WE ARE. WE HAVE ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FROM ARPA MONEY. WE RECEIVED A BUSINESS DISTRICT INITIATIVE FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000, THEN THEY TURNED AROUND AND GAVE US $400,000 AS PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT INITIATIVE. WE PRESENTED TO CREATIVE PLACEMAKING A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND THEY SAID, "WELL, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE $300,000 FROM OUR FUND BALANCE; THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR 2023." SO VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. BARB, DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT? **[00:03:00] Barb Wolf:** SURE. OKAY. SO WHEN WE WERE HERE LAST JUNE WE HADN'T CONVENED OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE YET AND WE'VE DONE THAT SINCE; THEY'VE HAD SIX MEETINGS. WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND FOCUSING ON WHAT THIS COMMITTEE CAN GIVE TO US SO THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY INFORMING THEM OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, SUPPLYING THEM WITH INFORMATION, CONSULTING WITH THEM, AND HAVING THIS COLLABORATION SO THAT THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS—WE'RE TAKING THOSE AND USING THEM TO THE GREATEST EXTENT THAT WE CAN WHEN WE'RE MAKING OUR DECISIONS AND MOVING FORWARD. THE GROUP THAT WE CONVENED WAS VERY STRATEGICALLY CHOSEN. WHEN WE WERE BEFORE YOU LAST, WE SORT OF TOLD YOU THE GROUPS, BUT HERE ARE THE FOLKS ON OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE. WE ARE LOOKING AT FOCUSING ON BIPOC-OWNED, WOMEN-OWNED, YOUTH, AND OUR ARTISTS COMMUNITY. WE REALLY INTENTIONALLY CHOSE THESE FOLKS SO THAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BUT ALSO BRING IT BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR NETWORKS. AND THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY GREAT GROUP. ADDING THE YOUTH ON THERE TOO HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE. CARLA, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT? **[00:04:30] Carla Henderson:** YEAH, THE ONLY THING WE PROVIDE IS DINNER AND THE PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN JUST AMAZING. PEOPLE ARE VERY COMMITTED. THEY FOLLOW UP THE DAY AFTER WITH ALL KINDS OF IDEAS. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AFTER THE FIRST MEETING CAME WITH A LIST OF THINGS AND THEN EMAILED IT. IT'S BEEN REALLY NICE TO SEE THIS ENGAGEMENT AND THE COMMITMENT THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS FOR THIS PROJECT. **[00:05:00] Barb Wolf:** AND SO HERE'S OUR GROUP AFTER ONE OF THE MEETINGS JUST SORT OF TO CAPTURE THE CELEBRATION. YOU CAN SEE THE SMILES. IT'S ALWAYS AMAZING TO THE GROUP WHAT WE CAME UP WITH BY THE END OF THE EVENING. SO HERE'S OUR VISION STATEMENT. THIS IS A DRAFT STATEMENT PRODUCED BY THIS GROUP AND EVERY WORD BEHIND US IS VERY INTENTIONAL. "THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER IS AN INNOVATIVE HUB WHERE THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND PHILANTHROPY TO BALANCE AND GROW THE BRIGHTEST IDEAS AND BUSINESSES WITH LOCAL AND GLOBAL IMPACT. THIS INCLUDES BEING INTENTIONAL IN PROVIDING RESOURCES EQUITABLY TO BIPOC BUSINESSES, WOMEN-OWNED VENTURES, ARTISTS AND YOUTH-LED ENTERPRISES AT EVERY STAGE OF ECONOMIC INSPIRATION." AND SO WHEN WE HAVE THIS BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER, IT'S REALLY THAT ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT WHERE YOU CAN COME AND BE WELCOMED. YOUR IDEA MIGHT NOT BE ONE THAT KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK, BUT YOU GO BACK AND YOU DO SOMETHING ELSE. WE'RE WELCOMING EVERYBODY INTO THIS SPACE. I'M JUST GOING TO WALK THROUGH A LITTLE BIT OF WORK THE COMMITTEE HAS COME UP WITH REGARDING PROGRAMMING. WHAT ARE THOSE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE OCCURRING THERE AND HOW DOES THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY? THE HIGH OVERARCHING THEMES ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO TOOLS, CONNECTIONS AND RESOURCES. THE SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER ISN'T GOING TO BE EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY, SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE NEED ENGAGEMENT THROUGH EXPERTISE AND ONE-ON-ONE COACHING, AN EFFECTIVE HIGH-PERFORMING TEAM RUNNING THE CENTER, AND OPEN INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE SERVICES FOR EVERYBODY. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING IS VERY IMPORTANT, AS IS A MULTI-USE INNOVATIVE SPACE. EVEN THOUGH IT'S A BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER, WE ALSO WANT IT TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN ENGAGE IN THE EVENING AS WELL. WE TALKED ABOUT SPACE UTILIZATION—HOW DO YOU FIT ALL THOSE THINGS INTO THE SPACE? IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE "COMMUNITY VIBE" AND THE "COOL FACTOR." PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO THIS LOCATION AND IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT SORT OF INDUSTRIAL GOVERNMENT PLACE. IT NEEDS TO BE A "SWISS ARMY MULTI-TOOL"—VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE SPACE IS FLEXIBLE. BACK IN NOVEMBER, IT WAS DECIDED THIS SPACE WOULD OPERATE FOR 20 YEARS. WE KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE TRENDS AND THINGS THAT CHANGE OVER THE YEARS, SO HOW DO WE KEEP REPURPOSING THIS TO THE NEEDS THAT OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAVE? WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT SUSTAINABILITY AND AFFORDABLE DEDICATED ZONES WHERE ENTREPRENEURS COULD ACTUALLY HOUSE THEIR SPACE THERE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THEN WE LOOKED AT BUSINESS CRITERIA—WHO ARE WE PUTTING INTO THE SPACE? WE HAD FOUR OVERARCHING THEMES: TIME INVOLVEMENT, STAGE OF BUSINESS, AND IDENTITY. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NEEDS OF OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND WHERE THOSE GAPS ARE TO MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT. WHAT IS OUR ROLE AS A CITY WHEN WE'RE LEADING THIS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER? THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BRAINSTORMING AND VISIONING. AS WE MOVE INTO 2023, IT WILL BE A LOT MORE TACTICAL. WE JUST HIRED OUR ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING DESIGN TEAM. THE LEAD IS FORMULA ARCHITECTURE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALLIANCE. A BIG PART OF THIS IS JUXTAPOSITION ARTS FOR OUR ENGAGEMENT AND PLACEMAKING. THEY'RE GOING TO LEAD A LOT MORE OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT 2023. OUR PROJECTED TIMELINE: JUXTAPOSITION WILL START IN 2023 PARTNERING WITH THE ARCHITECTURE TEAM. WE'VE ALREADY STARTED FOCUSING ON OUR PROGRAMMING AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO HAVE FACILITIES WITHIN THE BUILDING. WE MEET THEM AGAIN TOMORROW. WE WILL BE BRINGING THIS FORWARD FOR BIDDING FOR A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN THE SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR AND THEN BEGIN THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER OF NEXT YEAR, FINISHING UP WITH AN OPENING AT THE END OF 2024. SO OUR NEXT STEPS: WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MEET WITH THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THEY ARE VERY COMMITTED. WE WILL DO DEEPER DIVES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, DOING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND DEVELOPING OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL TEAM. WE ARE WORKING ON OUR OPERATING BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT IN 2023. WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING THIS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD AND THEN ALSO THE MULTI-CULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS MAC—AND NOT THE AIRPORT MAC. THIS IS ACTUALLY HOUSED IN THE POLICE STATION. IT'S A JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY TO CREATE BETTER ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR COMMUNITY. AND WITH THAT, WE WILL STAND FOR QUESTIONS. **[00:11:40] Tim Busse:** WELL THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH. IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE STEPS FORWARD THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN SINCE SIX MONTHS AGO. COUNCIL QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. **[00:11:55] Jenna Carter:** THANK YOU MAYOR. IF PEOPLE IN SMALL BUSINESS IN BLOOMINGTON GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WE HAVE A BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER WEB PAGE WITH ALL KINDS OF RESOURCES. I'M CURIOUS HOW YOU SEE THE TWO PARALLEL STRATEGIES—THE CURRENT RESOURCES AND THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT—MERGING OR OVERLAPPING? **[00:12:20] Barb Wolf:** THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. REALLY, A LOT OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE DEVELOPED. WE'VE ALREADY HAD SOME THAT SUPPORT US IN OUR GRANTMAKING, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE MANY MORE INCLUDING "OPEN TO BUSINESS." WE HAD AN EVENT HERE IN OCTOBER WITH SCORE—RETIRED EXECUTIVES WHO PROVIDE FREE MENTORING. THAT WAS A SORT OF PILOT OF HOW WE CAN START TO PARTNER AND PROVIDE THESE RESOURCES TO BUSINESSES NOW. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THOSE PARTNERSHIPS ONSITE. **[00:13:00] Jenna Carter:** THANK YOU. MY SECOND QUESTION IS ABOUT FEEDBACK. WE'VE HEARD FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT SOMETIMES OPERATING IN BLOOMINGTON CAN HAVE CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS REGARDING OUR CODE. ARE YOU ACTIVELY PLANNING TO RECEIVE THAT FEEDBACK REGULARLY SO THAT WE AS A COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF CAN LOOK THROUGH THAT CODE LANGUAGE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DO BUSINESS IN BLOOMINGTON? **[00:13:30] Barb Wolf:** THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. I THINK WE'RE DOING THAT NOW. WE'RE LEARNING FROM WHEN WE HEAR THINGS AND WE'RE BRINGING THAT BACK AND LOOKING AT POLICIES. WE'RE GOING TO THE BLOOMINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND LEARNING ABOUT ISSUES BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE HAD. WE'RE CONTINUOUSLY TRYING TO IMPROVE THOSE PROCESSES. IT'S HELPFUL WHEN YOU HAVE THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR THERE WITH YOU BECAUSE THEN YOU ARE AFFECTING SOME OF THOSE CHANGES IN A FASTER MANNER. ANOTHER THING WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN INFORM NEW BUSINESS OWNERS OF THE STEPS THEY NEED TO TAKE AT THE CITY. A PERFECT EXAMPLE IS "EUROPEAN WAX," BRINGING THEM THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND TREATING THIS AS A PILOT PROJECT. WE'RE TEACHING STAFF THAT, TOO. **[00:14:30] Carla Henderson:** YEAH, I LOVE WHEN COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO SAID "PUTTING THE COMMUNITY INTO THE DEVELOPMENT." THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN CHANGING THE CULTURE. WE DON'T WANT TO JUST HAND AN ENTREPRENEUR A FORM AND SAY "FILL IT OUT." WITH "GRAPPLERS," BARB AND I WENT OVER TO PUBLIC WORKS AND SAT IN THEIR CONFERENCE ROOM AND SHOWED THE WATER LINES HE WOULD NEED TO UPGRADE. WE WANTED TO HAVE FULL DISCLOSURE OF WHAT THAT IMPACT WAS GOING TO BE. WE ARE ENCOURAGING OUR PLANNING DIVISION TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CREATIVE WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE CODE. I'LL TELL YOU, WHEN BARB AND I WENT OVER [TO A LOCAL BUSINESS], WE SPENT TWO HOURS WITH THEM. WHEN WE WALKED IN, THEY WERE DEFENSIVE—"THE CITY'S HERE." THEY TOLD US ALL THE THINGS THEY WANTED TO DO AND ALL THE REASONS WHY THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD NOT DO IT. WHEN WE LEFT, THEY HAD OUR NUMBER. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A WAREHOUSE AND WE TOLD THEM WE WOULD WALK THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITH THEM BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEM AS A BUSINESS. WE DON'T WANT YOU GOING TO BURNSVILLE. **[00:15:40] Jenna Carter:** WELL, I WILL SAY THAT WE DEFINITELY HAVE SEEN THE CHANGE. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOUR TEAM HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND AND IT'S REALLY NOTICEABLE TO THE COUNCIL AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR THAT. **[00:15:55] Tim Busse:** COMMISSIONER PETERSON? OH, COMMISSIONER, COULD YOU TURN YOUR MICROPHONE ON PLEASE? **[00:16:00] Commissioner Peterson:** THANK YOU. BUILDING ON WHAT COUNCILMEMBER CARTER SAID, HAVING DEALT WITH BUSINESSES FOR YEARS AT MANY LEVELS, THE POINT OF PAIN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PERMITTING AND THE SIGNAGE. I'M REALLY GLAD TO HEAR THAT'S STEPPING UP. THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE SURVEY OF BUSINESS OWNERS LAST YEAR, SO IT'S GOOD TO HEAR THIS MOMENTUM. **[00:16:30] Barb Wolf:** CAN I JUST MENTION A "FEEL GOOD" STORY? WITH THE PROCLAMATION OF SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, WE MET THE OWNER OF PEE-WEE'S WHO IS FROM GUATEMALA. I MET HIM THROUGH THE CARES ACT FUNDING PROCESS. ENGLISH ISN'T HIS FIRST LANGUAGE, BUT WE BROUGHT OUT OUR BUSINESS ADVISER VICKI GONZALEZ FROM THE "OPEN TO BUSINESS" PROGRAM; SHE SPEAKS SPANISH AS WELL. WE ARE HELPING HIM LOOK AT HIS MARKETING AND WEBSITE MATERIALS TO HELP IMPROVE HIS FLOW OF BUSINESS. IT'S ABOUT BUILDING THAT TRUST IN OUR COMMUNITY WHERE THAT CAN SPREAD BY WORD OF MOUTH. **[00:17:30] Commissioner Peterson:** GOING BACK TO THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER, I'M REALLY EXCITING ABOUT THAT. IF WE CAME AND SAID, "HEY, WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THAT OPEN SIX MONTHS EARLIER THAN WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING," WHAT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN? IS IT POSSIBLE? **[00:17:50] Barb Wolf:** COMMISSIONER PETERSON, WE ARE DOING THIS AS AN ANSWER TO THE PANDEMIC AND LOOKING AT THOSE INEQUITIES. IT SEEMS LIKE A SLOW PROCESS SAYING IT OPENS IN 2024, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO DO IT RIGHT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT OPENS CORRECTLY SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME THERE, THEY FEEL INCLUDED. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE COULD SPEED IT UP AT THIS POINT. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS GOING TO DIG DEEPER INTO BRANDING AND THE LOGO; WE WANT TO INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE DESIGN. WE DISCUSSED THIS MORNING—CAN WE PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH THREE DIFFERENT DESIGNS AND HAVE THEM VOTE ON IT? WHEN I THINK ABOUT ALL THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND THE PLACEMAKING, IT'S A LOT. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT CAN BE SPED UP, BUT I LOVE YOUR ENTHUSIASM. **[00:19:00] Carla Henderson:** THE OTHER THING IS STAFFING. TAKING THE PORT CITYWIDE IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO BRING ON ADDITIONAL STAFF. RIGHT NOW, IT'S BARB, EMILY LARSEN, AND I HELP EVERY NOW AND THEN. WE'RE GOING TO NEED A PROJECT MANAGER TO BE RUNNING THIS. WE MAY BE ABLE TO MOVE IT UP A MONTH OR TWO, BUT WE NEED TO BRING CAPACITY TO THE TEAM. **[00:19:30] Tim Busse:** COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO. **[00:19:35] Lona Dallessandro:** THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU PRESIDENT. ONE OF MY FAVORITE TOPICS. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE EARLY IDEAS AROUND PROGRAMMING. "SMALL BUSINESS" IS A VERY BROAD CATEGORY. AT ONE END YOU HAVE ENTREPRENEURS WHO COULD START SMALL AND GET BIG, AND ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU HAVE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS, LIKE ARTISTS OR PERFORMERS. WHAT HAS BEEN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHERE YOU WOULD PUT LIMITATIONS SO THAT YOU DON'T GET DRAWN INTO 9,000 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND CAN'T GO MORE THAN AN INCH DEEP ON ANY OF THEM? **[00:20:15] Barb Wolf:** THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO. WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS ABOUT THIS. EVERYBODY WANTS SOMETHING. LET'S LOOK AT THE ARTS PIECE—AN ARTIST MIGHT NEED A KILN, OR SPRAY PAINTS NEED ODOR CONTROL, OR SOUND CONTROL. WE CAN'T BE EVERYTHING TO EVERYBODY IN THIS SMALL SPACE. ONE THING WE KNOW IS THERE IS A LOCATION IN EAGAN THAT IS CLOSE BY. WE NEED TO VISIT THAT AND CREATE A PARTNERSHIP. IF IT'S A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE, CAN WE SEND PEOPLE THEIR WAY AND VICE VERSA? THE MAIN THING IS HAVING FLEXIBLE SPACE. WE ARE EVEN LOOKING AT USING THE OUTDOOR SPACE FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER. **[00:21:40] Lona Dallessandro:** I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION. I THINK THE IDEA OF NOT OVERLAPPING IF THERE'S EXPERTISE AROUND CREATIVE ARTS IN EAGAN IS GOOD. WE CAN CREATE A DIFFERENT EXPERTISE AND SHARE THAT. **[00:22:00] Tim Busse:** COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN. **[00:22:05] Dwayne Lowman:** THANK YOU. SO THIS OPENS UP IN 2024. FIVE YEARS OUT, I THINK ABOUT OUR MISSION OF MAKING A "REMARKABLE COMMUNITY." HOW DO THESE BODIES AND THE PUBLIC KNOW SUCCESS? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FROM A MEASURED STANDPOINT? **[00:22:30] Barb Wolf:** THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN. WE JUST RECENTLY TALKED ABOUT THAT AS PART OF THE OPERATING BUDGET. ANOTHER PORT AUTHORITY MEMBER AND I MET WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY THIS WEEK TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO THROUGH THE LIBRARY FOR RESEARCH AND STATISTICS. WE NEED TO START WITH SOME BASELINE WORK TO MEASURE AS PEOPLE COME THROUGH THE CENTER. WE HAVE YET TO ESTABLISH THAT PLAN, BUT IT IS PART OF THE PLAN. **[00:23:00] Carla Henderson:** AND I WANT TO ADD—WE WRESTLE WITH THAT QUESTION. IF WE HAVE A BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR WHO THINKS THEY SHOULD GO INTO CONSULTING, AND THEN THEY FIND OUT ALL THE THINGS THAT WOULD TAKE AND THEY GO, "YEAH, THAT'S PROBABLY NOT ME," WE'VE REMOVED BARRIERS FOR THEM TO EXPLORE THEIR DREAM. EVEN THOUGH IT MAY NOT BE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS, WE SAVED THEM THE MONEY FROM GOING OUT ON THAT VENTURE. SOMETIMES FAILURE TO PURSUE A DREAM IS A SUCCESS. **[00:24:00] Tim Busse:** I APPRECIATE THAT DISCUSSION. I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN IS ON MAKING SURE WE TELL THAT STORY TO THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. GREAT. WELL THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN IN SIX MONTHS. 2.2 ON OUR AGENDA IS THE CONTRACT FOR STAFF SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PORT AUTHORITY. IT'S AN ANNUAL THING AND I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SLIGHT CHANGES. MR. JASON SCHMIDT FROM OUR PORT AUTHORITY IS HERE. GOOD EVENING, MR. SCHMIDT. **[00:24:40] Jason Schmidt:** GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR, PRESIDENT, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. THIS IS AN ANNUAL CONTRACT TO ALLOW THE PORT AUTHORITY TO HIRE CITY STAFF TO ADMINISTER THE SERVICES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. RIGHT NOW THE PORT AUTHORITY IS MADE UP OF FOUR STAFF MEMBERS: MYSELF, A VACANT PORT AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION, AND TWO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYSTS, BECKY AND MIKE. WE ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND THE PORT AUTHORITY TO ASSIST WITH THE BUSINESS RESOURCES JUST PRESENTED. THERE ARE OTHERS IN THE CITY WHO BILL TIME TO THE PORT: LORI OUR CFO, SHEILA OUR PREVIOUS CFO, THE CITY MANAGER, AND OTHERS. THE CONTRACT IS VERY SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR. THERE WAS ONE POLICY CHANGE—WE ADDED RECORDS RETENTION SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE POLICY SECTION. THE PORT CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY FOR STAFF SERVICES AND WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL. MR. MAYOR, I THINK BECAUSE THE CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO APPROVE IT, WE NEED TO TAKE THE PORT AUTHORITY ACTION FIRST. **[00:26:00] Tim Busse:** IF I COULD ASK A QUESTION VERY QUICKLY. I SEE THE CHANGE REGARDING RECORDS RETENTION, BUT GIVEN THE CHANGE IN STAFFING AND RESPONSIBILITIES, DOES THAT CHANGE THE CONTRACT AT ALL? **[00:26:15] Jason Schmidt:** MR. MAYOR, THE LEGAL TEAM DID REVIEW THIS—BOTH PORT AUTHORITY GENERAL COUNSEL AND CITY LEGAL. EVERYTHING IS COVERED ON A LARGE BASIS, NOT SPECIFICALLY TO EACH ITEM. IT'S TO CARRY OUT PORT SERVICES, AND THE PORT SERVICES ARE JUST EXPANDING. **[00:26:30] Tim Busse:** GOT IT. THANK YOU. OKAY. SO I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL AS LISTED ON PAGE EIGHT. **[00:26:40] Commissioner Paterson:** MOVE THE MOTION. **[00:26:42] President Erickson:** SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HUNT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. MOTION CARRIES SIX-ZERO. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. SCHMIDT REGARDING THE CONTRACT? COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO. **[00:27:00] Lona Dallessandro:** I ONLY HAD ONE. THE CONTRACT DOESN'T SPECIFY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE OR NAMES. WE ARE INTRODUCING NEW EMPLOYEES BUT WE DON'T HAVE THEIR ROLES DEFINED IN THE CONTRACT. DOES THAT MATTER? **[00:27:20] Tim Busse:** I THINK THE ANSWER IS NO, IT'S A BROAD ENOUGH CONTRACT. BUT I TURN TO MY MANAGER; I'M SURE SHE COULD CLARIFY. **[00:27:30] Julie Addington:** FOR THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS. THE CONTRACT IS WRITTEN SUCH THAT THE DESIGNATION OF EMPLOYEES IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CITY MANAGER. IT'S IN PARAGRAPH ONE ON PAGE NINE: "THE CITY MANAGER DESIGNATE ALL NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEES." LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE, WE DID A VERY DETAILED REVIEW OF THE STAFF SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR THE HRA AND THE PORT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WERE UP TO DATE WITH THE LAW. THIS IS JUST DUSTING IT OFF AND UPDATING THE RECORDS RETENTION. **[00:28:00] Lona Dallessandro:** SURE, THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU. **[00:28:05] Dwayne Lowman:** I'D BE HAPPY TO MAKE THAT MOTION. MOVE TO APPROVE THE 2023 CONTRACT FOR STAFF BETWEEN THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND PORT AUTHORITY. **[00:28:15] Tim Busse:** MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. MOTION CARRIES FIVE-ZERO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ITEM 2.3 THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE AMENDED AND RESTATED SPENDING PLAN FOR THE TAX INCREMENT FROM THE MALL OF AMERICA TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICTS. MR. SCHMIDT, WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO US? **[00:29:00] Jason Schmidt:** THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. IN 2021, A NEW STATUTORY RULE WAS ENACTED INTO MINNESOTA LAW WHICH ALLOWS CITIES AND PORT AUTHORITIES NEW FLEXIBILITY FOR UTILIZING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) THROUGH WHAT IS CALLED A "SPENDING PLAN." WE ADOPTED A SPENDING PLAN BACK IN MARCH OF 2022, AND WHAT'S BEFORE US TODAY IS AN AMENDMENT. WE ARE LOOKING TO INCREASE THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE FUNDS THE PORT AUTHORITY MIGHT WANT TO UTILIZE ON A FUTURE PROJECT. TODAY, WITH THIS AMENDMENT, NO FUNDS ARE BEING COMMITTED TO A PROJECT. IF A PROJECT WERE TO USE THESE FUNDS IN THE FUTURE, ADDITIONAL MEETINGS WOULD BE HELD. THE PURPOSE: STATE STATUTE REQUIRES A SPENDING PLAN TO MODIFY THE USE OF TIF TO HELP STIMULATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC. IT PROVIDES THE ABILITY TO DIRECTLY FUND TIF MONEY INTO PROJECTS THE PORT AUTHORITY DEEMS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE PROJECT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE. ALL SPENDING PLANS NEED TO BE APPROVED BY DECEMBER 31ST, 2022. THE TAX INCREMENT MUST BE SPENT BY THE END OF 2025. THE PLAN AUTHORIZES BUT DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE PORT AUTHORITY TO SPEND. STAFF IS PROPOSING THIS AMENDMENT TO FINANCIALLY ASSESS POTENTIAL PROJECTS IF THEY WERE TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION IN THE NEXT 2 TO 3 YEARS. SPECIFIC PROJECTS INCLUDE—BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO—AN INDOOR WATERPARK, A SPORTS COMPLEX, AND AN EVENT OR ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY. WE ARE LOOKING TO AUTHORIZE UP TO $95.2 MILLION. THAT IS THE INCREMENT THAT WILL BE IN THE ACCOUNT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. ACTION TONIGHT DOES NOT OBLIGATE FINANCIALLY ASSISTING ANY DEVELOPMENT. THAT WOULD REQUIRE A SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. **[00:32:00] Tim Busse:** JASON, I THINK ONE THING YOU DIDN'T MENTION IS THAT ALL OF THE MONEY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS "FENCED" MONEY. THERE ARE STATUTORY LIMITS ON WHAT WE CAN USE IT FOR. BECAUSE OF THE CONTRACT WE HAVE WITH MALL OF AMERICA, THESE FUNDS HAVE TO BE USED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES IN THAT AREA. IT IS NOT MONEY THAT CAN BE USED FOR ANYTHING THE CITY WOULD LIKE TO DO. I TEND TO WANT MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN. **[00:32:50] Dwayne Lowman:** I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. I APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATION THAT THIS DOESN'T COMMIT THE SPENDING. IF WE COULD GO BACK TO 2009, WHAT WAS ON THAT SPENDING PLAN LIST? DID WE DO ALL THE THINGS ON THE LIST? **[00:33:15] Julie Addington:** THE LEGISLATION WAS VERY SIMILAR. IN 2010, AT THE TIME OF THE RECESSION, WE WERE USING IT FOR THE SAME REASON—FOR EXAMPLE, A GROCERY STORE CO-OP. ANYTHING THAT CREATED JOBS WAS IN THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY. THE 2021 LAW IS IN ESSENCE THE SAME LAW WITH A FEW CHANGES REGARDING WHEN THINGS HAVE TO BE SPENT. **[00:33:45] Melissa Manderschied:** I WOULD MENTION THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY SINCE 2004 AND I DON'T BELIEVE YOU DID A SPENDING PLAN IN THE EARLIER LEGISLATION. **[00:33:55] Dwayne Lowman:** THAT'S FAIR. MY NEXT QUESTION IS: WHY $95 MILLION? WHY NOT HIGHER OR LOWER? **[00:34:05] Jason Schmidt:** COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT YOU CAN DESIGNATE IS THE AMOUNT OF TAX INCREMENT THAT HAS BEEN COLLECTED AND IS IN THE ACCOUNT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. PREVIOUSLY, IN MARCH, WE WERE SPECIFICALLY JUST LOOKING AT THE WATER PARK. STAFF STARTED BRAINSTORMING AND THOUGHT IF WE REALLY WANT TO UTILIZE THIS TEMPORARY TOOL TO ITS MAXIMUM, WE NEED TO DO THE AMENDMENT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. **[00:34:40] Dwayne Lowman:** SO THE $95 MILLION IS THE CEILING. FINALLY, IF WE DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE DON'T HAVE TO SPECIFY THAT BECAUSE WE CAN ALREADY DO THAT WITH TIF MONIES, CORRECT? **[00:35:00] Jason Schmidt:** THAT IS CORRECT. AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ALREADY TIF-ELIGIBLE. **[00:35:10] Tim Busse:** AND JUST TO ADD, OUR CFO LORI ECONOMY-SCHOLLER CONFIRMED THERE WAS NOT A SPENDING PLAN THE FIRST TIME THROUGH. COMMISSIONER LUNDE. **[00:35:20] Commissioner Lunde:** JASON, I WANT TO BE CLEAR. THE $95.2 MILLION—THAT'S THE ENTIRETY OF THE TIF FUND ACCOUNT FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY? **[00:35:30] Jason Schmidt:** THAT IS THE AMOUNT WE PROJECT WILL BE IN THAT SPECIFIC TIF ACCOUNT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. **[00:35:40] Commissioner Lunde:** OKAY. AND OF THAT, $35 MILLION HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO THE WATER PARK AS OF LAST MARCH? SO ABOUT 37% IS ALREADY DEDICATED. THAT LEAVES $60 MILLION TO DEVELOP THESE OTHER PROJECTS, NONE OF WHICH HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN OR DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN FRONT OF US. WHERE DID THE "EVENTS CENTER" AND "SPORTS COMPLEX" IDEAS COME FROM? I MEAN, THIS IS THE FIRST WE'VE REALLY HEARD OF THEM. **[00:36:15] Julie Addington:** COMMISSIONER LUNDE, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT THE PLAN WE'RE LOOKING AT TODAY AMENDS AND RESTATES THE PREVIOUS PLAN. THE PREVIOUS ONE NO LONGER EXISTS. ALTHOUGH THAT $35 MILLION IS STILL CONTEMPLATED, THE NEW PLAN HAS THE FULL $95.2 MILLION AND IT IS NOT NECESSARILY OBLIGATED TO ANY PARTICULAR USE YET. **[00:37:00] Commissioner Lunde:** SO IF MALL OF AMERICA COMES BACK AND SAYS $35 MILLION WON'T DO, AND THEY NEED $45 OR $55 MILLION, WE WOULD NEED THIS. WE GOT A MEMO SAYING THE WATER PARK COST OVERRUNS WERE $10 TO $30 MILLION. THE RISK HERE IS THAT THE $35 MILLION BECOMES $65 MILLION OUT OF THE $95 MILLION. **[00:37:30] Julie Addington:** WE DO HAVE A CONTRACT CURRENTLY. IT MAY NEED TO BE AMENDED, BUT IT IS OBLIGATED ONCE THERE IS A PROJECT THERE. **[00:37:45] Lona Dallessandro:** MR. MAYOR, I SEE WHERE COMMISSIONER LUNDE IS GOING. LET'S BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. WE'RE SAYING WE WANT FLEXIBILITY TO USE ALL OF THE MONEY. I'M CONFUSED WHY WE HAVE A LIST OF PROJECTS IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THEM BEFORE. THAT SET OFF A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT "WHAT SPORTS COMPLEX?" IT GOT WRITTEN UP BY JOURNALISTS. IS THERE A REASON WE'RE CALLING THEM OUT BY NAME? IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE BEING ASKED TO MAKE THE FULL $95 MILLION AVAILABLE IN CASE THE WATER PARK NEEDS MORE MONEY. **[00:38:30] President Erickson:** I'M LOOKING AT THIS AS SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE. ALL WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS HAVE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY UNDER A STATUTORY CHANGE. NOTHING IS ACTIVELY GOING FORWARD YET. TO ME, THE ACTION WE'RE BEING ASKED TO TAKE IS TO SIMPLY TAKE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT WE CAN PUT UNDER THE NEW FLEXIBLE DEFINITION. ALL THESE OTHER QUESTIONS WILL COME BACK TO US AT ANOTHER TIME. **[00:39:00] Tim Busse:** I AGREE. THERE ARE NO SPECIFICS YET TO WHERE THAT FLEXIBILITY WILL BE APPLIED. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. **[00:39:15] Jenna Carter:** THANK YOU MAYOR. IF THE GOAL IS FLEXIBILITY, WHY INCLUDE SPECIFIC PROJECTS IN THE SPENDING PLAN AT ALL? IF THERE IS NO NEED TO DO THAT, WHY INCLUDE THEM? IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO EASE OUR CONSCIENCES. **[00:39:40] Jason Schmidt:** THE WAY WE HAVE INTERPRETED IT IS THAT WE DO NEED TO LIST THE TYPES OF PROJECTS THE FUNDING COULD BE APPLIED TO; IT CAN'T JUST BE A BROAD ARRAY OF ANY USE. THE PREVIOUS PLAN JUST HAD THE WATER PARK. WE LOOKED AT THE PORT AUTHORITY WORK PLAN, AND ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THERE WAS TO ANALYZE THE FEASIBILITY OF A MULTI-USE FACILITY. SO, WE DECIDED TO ADD THOSE USES TO THE LIST IN CASE THEY COME FORWARD IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS. **[00:40:20] Julie Addington:** IT'S IMPORTANT TO PUT THINGS IN THE SPENDING PLAN THAT *MIGHT* HAPPEN, BUT WE HAVE THAT "CATCH-ALL" PARAGRAPH THAT SAYS "OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN CREATE JOBS." MOST CITIES DOING THIS HAVE WRITTEN IDEAS OF WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. **[00:40:40] Commissioner Hunt:** WHAT'S THE DOWNSIDE OF NOT DOING ANYTHING? **[00:40:45] Julie Addington:** THE SPENDING PLAN HAS TO BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED BY THE END OF THE YEAR TO PRESERVE THIS POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY. IT DOESN'T MEAN IN TWO YEARS SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PROJECT; THE MONEY JUST GOES BACK INTO THE REGULAR TIF ACCOUNT. **[00:41:00] Commissioner Lunde:** IS IT STATUTORILY REQUIRED TO LIST THE PROJECTS? **[00:41:05] Julie Addington:** IT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED BY THE LEGISLATION, BUT THE OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR (OSA) WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT PROJECTS YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT DOING. **[00:41:25] President Erickson:** I FEEL LIKE THIS CONVERSATION IS MAKING A COMPLICATED THING OUT OF A VERY SIMPLE THING. DO WE WANT THE FLEXIBILITY TO USE THIS MONEY IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS IF A PROJECT COMES ALONG THAT WE LIKE, OR ARE WE GOING TO CUT OFF OPPORTUNITY? I TEND TO BE A FLEXIBILITY PERSON. **[00:42:00] Tim Busse:** I THINK THE REASON FOR DOING THIS IS THE LEGISLATION MADE THE USES MORE FLEXIBLE. WE ARE INCREASING THE NUMBER SO WE CAN UTILIZE THAT NEW LANGUAGE. AGAIN, THIS IS ALL "FENCED" MONEY. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. **[00:42:15] Jenna Carter:** THANK YOU MAYOR. MY GOAL WAS TO DECREASE CONFUSION. I'M HEARING THAT THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT TO SPELL IT OUT, BUT THAT THE STATE AUDITOR PREFERS IT. THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION. **[00:42:35] Dwayne Lowman:** I APPRECIATE THE HONESTY. STAFF HAS MADE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THESE ARE IDEAS ALREADY IN OUR PLANS. LET'S PUT IT IN THERE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I CAN SUPPORT THIS. **[00:43:00] Lona Dallessandro:** ONE FOLLOW UP. THERE'S AN OPEN QUESTION ABOUT WHY WE DIDN'T MAX THIS OUT IN THE FIRST PLACE. SOMETHING HAS TRIGGERED US WANTING TO DO THIS NOW. WE ORIGINALLY SAID UP TO $55 MILLION, NOW WE'RE SAYING $95 MILLION. WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE CHANGE? **[00:43:20] Jason Schmidt:** IT WAS REALLY AN HONEST OVERSIGHT BY STAFF. WHEN WE CREATED THE FIRST PLAN, WE WERE FOCUSED STRICTLY ON THE WATER PARK. AS WE GOT CLOSER TO THE YEAR-END DEADLINE, STAFF REALIZED THAT IF THE WATER PARK PROJECT COMES BACK FOR AN ADDITIONAL ASK, OR IF THE WATER PARK DOESN'T MOVE FORWARD AND THERE'S ALL THIS TIF LEFT, WE NEED THE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY THE STATUTE AUTHORIZES. **[00:43:55] Lona Dallessandro:** I APPRECIATE THE HONESTY. THANK YOU. **[00:44:00] Tim Busse:** AS I MENTIONED, THIS ITEM IS OFFICIALLY A PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL OPEN THIS PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 2.3. IS ANYBODY IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD. DO WE HAVE ANYONE ON THE PHONE? NO ONE ON THE PHONE. I'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL. **[00:44:30] Lona Dallessandro:** SO MOVED. **[00:44:32] Dwayne Lowman:** SECOND. **[00:44:35] Tim Busse:** MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. MOTION CARRIES FIVE-ZERO. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION? **[00:44:50] Dwayne Lowman:** I'D BE HAPPY TO. I MOVE TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATED SPENDING PLAN FOR CERTAIN TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICTS LOCATED WITHIN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NUMBER ONE. **[00:45:00] Jenna Carter:** SECOND. **[00:45:05] Tim Busse:** MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. MOTION CARRIES FIVE-ZERO. AND I WOULD ENTERTAIN A SIMILAR MOTION FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY. **[00:45:20] Commissioner Peterson:** I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED SPENDING PLAN. **[00:45:25] Commissioner Carter:** SECOND. **[00:45:30] President Erickson:** SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CARTER. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY SAYING AYE. MOTION CARRIES FIVE-ZERO. VERY GOOD. THANKS TO STAFF FOR THE CLARIFICATION. I BELIEVE THAT COMPLETES OUR AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING. I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE CITY COUNCIL PORTION. **[00:45:50] Jenna Carter:** MOTION. **[00:45:52] Lona Dallessandro:** SECOND. **[00:45:55] Tim Busse:** ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. MOTION CARRIES FIVE-ZERO. I WILL ADJOURN THE PORT AUTHORITY AS WELL. WISH EVERYBODY A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY. NEXT TIME WE GET TOGETHER WILL PROBABLY BE IN THE NEW YEAR.