CC Min 2001-06-25 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Some Agency Members expressed frustration with the City's approach to engaging the public. It was stated that the Redevelopment Agency is a great distraction because it gives the City the opportunity to become developers, and avoid focusing on other important city issues. It was suggested that it would be better to spend more time in planning appropriately instead of developing. Infrastructure should be the focus instead of development by the Redevelopment Agency. Voting: Yes- Hartnett, Howard, Ira, Pierce, Vice-Mayor Claire, Mayor Ruskin; No- Jordan; The motion passed by a 6 to 1 roll call vote. Motion carried. M/S to Introduce the Ordinance Approving and Adopting the 5th Amendment without Modification. Motion died for a lack of a second. M/S Howard/Hartnett to Introduce the Ordinance Adopting the 5th Amendment for a Period of Six Additional Years. Discussion: Some Agency Members stated that the City wants the public to trust this Council and in order to build a trust a six-year extension will help demonstrate that the City has the best of intentions. Statements were made that when a property goes through Eminent Domain one benefit is that the owner does not have to pay any capital gains tax if he/she reinvest the funds within 24 months. Similarly, the process of Eminent Domain is an open process and all those affected are notified and have the right to get involved. Furthermore, the Redevelopment Agency is not in the business of being a developer but the business of trying to improve the community as best as it can. Some Agency Members disagreed with the assumption that the City does not want people to get involved in these meetings; the City is always trying to get people involved but it will certainly not use threatening flyer to get residents to the City Council meeting. Agency members asked when the Redevelopment Agency sunsets in its entirety. The answer provided was 2028. Agency members also explained that in numerous contacts with the public the perception is that people are happy about the different projects initiated by this Agency. When it comes to Eminent Domain the Council Members are very sensitive to the seriousness of the action, and would never act in a hastily manner. Final comments on the issue included that the Redevelopment Agency's purpose is mainly to revitalize Downtown and to create infrastructure that will better the community. While Agency Members understand the fear of Eminent Domain from a resident's standpoint the Redevelopment Agency constitutes is here to support the community in its revitalization and development. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 25, 2001 MINUTES PAGE l0 MINUTES Book No. 58 Page No. 446