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<br /> ,.' . . , . . . <br /> <br /> Council Member Claire said the Redwood City Tribune's editorial "took a big shot at <br /> us... because they felt (the bond issuance) was some sort of weird deal, and the citizens of <br /> Redwood City were getting short changed. It escaped their attention that this is a done <br />- deal. This property has sold. It is a question of how to save our taxpayers some money. <br /> We would lose the property tax from that property if they found their financing somewhere <br /> else. If they went to the public sector and financed these bonds as stated this evening, the <br /> financing rate would be around 9%. Most of us who are in business know that that kind of <br /> financing rate is going to be passed on to the residents of that facility. So not only have <br /> we saved the citizens of our community the property tax about $50,000 per year, in my <br /> opinion, we probably have helped the residents of Woodside Terrace in their rentals in the <br /> future, because the company that is taking this over, will be paying less interest. So <br /> contrary to the two editorials that I read, I think this is a very good situation for the City <br /> and the citizens of our community, and for the residents of Woodside Terrace." Council <br /> Member Claire said that one proprietor of a senior center told him he was concerned that <br /> Woodside's rates would be lower than his. <br /> Council Member Hartnett said, "It's important to note that the additional revenue to the <br /> City beyond that which we are taking in lieu of real property taxes.... will (allow the City) <br /> to preserve our real property tax position... The additional revenues beyond that, that have <br /> been recommended as being designated to low income housing opportunities for seniors is <br /> an extremely valuable part of this deal for our entire community. I greatly welcome the <br /> participation of the Housing and Human Concerns Committee in being aggressive at the <br /> outset and calling to our attention our failure to fully consider this as such an opportunity, <br /> and I know there are reasons why the Committee wasn't brought into the loop earlier, but I <br />- think we have already benefited by their current involvement. I know that down the line <br /> they will give us some very good recommendations on how to not only spend that money, <br /> but how to leverage that money for some good opportunities." <br /> Council Member Leipzig said, "I didn't like the deal when it first came to us, and I don't <br /> like the deal tonight. We have no control, contrary to wishes or beliefs from some <br /> Members that spoke, in this deal over the rents that can be charged, the addition of an <br /> Alzheimer's wing or not, the future sale of the building, the business. We don't have <br /> control. I was very upset as some of my colleagues, at least they were quoted in the paper, <br /> being upset when it was disclosed of the sale, just several days after our initial vote. If I <br /> did that in my business and went to the bank and said, you know, we've kind of changed <br /> the buyer and the seller a little bit, it wouldn't fly. I don't think this is a good deal for the <br /> taxpayers of Redwood City. The bond counsel, the consultants, they are making a lot of <br /> money on this deal. The people involved selling it are making a lot of money. We have <br /> no business in the finance business, whether it is senior buildings or not.... I didn't like it <br /> before and I like it even less now." <br /> ITERATION OF MOTION <br /> MIS: CLAIREIHARTNETT. TITLE READ. <br />- <br /> REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 APRIL 27, 1998 <br /> MINUTES Page No. 429 PAGE 26 <br />