City Council Meeting Date: August 5, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Public Hearing on Tax Abatement for Transit Hub.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends the Council consider a motion to close the public hearing.
Note: See public hearing procedure summary in the staff report.
Summary Report:
The Northfield City Council will hold a public hearing on tax abatement related to the new transit hub currently under construction adjacent to the historic depot. This is the first of two items related to this project. Following the public hearing, Council will be asked to consider approval of a resolution.
The City proposes to undertake certain public improvements to construct a new transit hub building abatement bonds authorized by the Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.182 through 469.185 (the “Act”) and authorize the property tax abatement with respect to various parcels of land to finance the improvements (the “Project”). The proposed term of the abatement will be for up to 20 years in an estimated amount not to exceed $1,025,000.
The abatement will apply to the City’s share of the property taxes (the “Abatement”) derived from the property described by property identification numbers on Exhibit A of the Resolution. The public hearing notice was published on July 24, 2024.
Public Hearing Procedure:
A Public Hearing is used by the City Council to solicit the public's comments on various projects or City operation procedures.
A. The Mayor will open the hearing by identifying the subject.
B. Staff Presentation - staff will give a presentation on the subject (there are 2 action items to follow this agenda item and no separate presentation is planned for those items).
C. Applicant's Presentation (not applicable in this case)
D. Public Input - The public will have the opportunity to speak for or against the issue. The public may ask questions, make comments, voice support, agree or disagree with the issue.
1. The Mayor will recognize a speaker at the podium and comments/conversation will be between the Mayor and speaker; and between the Mayor and Council Members.
2. At the podium the speaker must give their name, address, and if representing a business, must give the name of the business or corporation. If an Attorney or consultant is representing a client, the client must be identified for the record.
3. Speakers will be allowed to speak a maximum of two (2) minutes per item (not including interpreter’s time, if applicable).
4. Speakers who have material to be handed out to the City Council will pass the material to the City Administrator. The City Administrator will then pass the information to the appropriate people. A minimum of twelve (12) copies are needed.
5. Persons cannot gift their 2-minute speaking time to other members of the public.
E. Questions or Clarifications from City Council - After the public input of the public hearing is completed, the City Council may request questions or clarifications prior to closing the public hearing. This section will be used when there are questions related to the topic on which the public hearing is being held. Questions should be succinct and avoid being rhetorical or leading in nature. Subsequent actions of the City Council provide for opportunities for further questions or clarifications from the City Council.
F. Any material to be entered into the record shall be noted. Any written communication presented to the City Council during a City Council meeting shall be read into the record or summarized for the record or simply delivered to the City Council, as the City Council may determine. They shall then be recorded in the minutes by title and filed with the minutes in the office of the City Clerk.
G. Motion to Close Hearing - The Mayor will state if there is an extension of time for public input into the hearing. If not, the City Council Members will make a motion, second, and vote of the City Council on closing the public hearing.
There are two separate actions to follow the public hearing. No separate presentation is planned for those action items.
Alternative Options:
None recommended. The Council has previously discussed and supported the debt issuance for these projects as the funding mechanism.
Financial Impacts:
Costs of the Transit Hub, Series 2024A.
Tentative Timelines:
General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024A are scheduled to be sold August 2024.