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99-284�'e.fa �d Presented Referred To S c� � s i � ��-� �t1��a RESOLUTION CfTY OF S�fA1T P,AUL, MINNE 0 1 Housing Program for New, Permanently 2 Affordable Rental and Owner-Occupied Housing for 3 Full-time Workers and Their Families coun�il File # 9q -� g y Green Sheet # Co 3 `t8 � 4 WHEREAS, the Housing Plan, recommended by the Planning Commission to the Mayor and City Council as a 5 Chapter of Saint Paul's Comprehensive Plan states that the availability of safe and decent affordable housing is 6 critical to the economic health of the City and its neighborhoods; and 7 WHEREAS, in Saint Paul, affardable rental and ownership housing for full-time warking people and their families, 8 earning $9-14 per hour has been priced beyond their reach; and 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 WHEREAS, these full-time workers, earning between $18,720 and $29,120 per yeaz as cited by the Minnesota Department of Economic Security, include (but are not limited to) the following occupations vital to the operation of a strong local and regional economy: office workers, kindergarten teachers, travel agents, shipping and receiving clerks, dental assistants, cabinet makers, medical and legal secretaries, medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, technical writers and editors, insurance claims clerks, sales agents, social workers, licensed practical nurses, auto mechanics, legal assistants, emergency medical technicians, library aides, machine assemblers, surgical technicians, truck drivers, sheet metal workers, duct installers, health service workers, food service managers, industrial truck and tractor operators, graphic designers, welders, machinists; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has indicated that growth is likely to occur mainly in jobs at these income levels, as there will be 300,000 new jobs in the next 15 yeazs, one-half of which will pay less than $22,000 per year; and 21 WI IEREAS, these full-time wage earners represent the heart and soul of the S aint Paul workforce, our greatest asset 22 in attracting business and industry to locate in Saint Paul to strengthen and sustain the tas base of a healthy and 23 prosperous City; and 24 WHEREAS, 70 percent of the jobs created through the economic development efforts of the Saint Paul Department 25 of Planning and Economic Development and the Saint Paul Port Authority are entry-level positions paying $9-14 26 per hour; and 27 WHEREAS, Twin Cities housing development experts, including private, nonprofit, foundation and public sectors, 28 believe that providing safe, decent and affordable housing for this segment of the Saint Paul workfarce is a top 29 priority and have urged the City to join them in partnership to create such housing; and 30 WHEREAS, to that end on March 22, 1999, the McT�night Foundation awazded a$6 million grant to the City of 31 Saint Paul to develop and preserve housing for full-time workers within this salary range. ,/ `�q— �gc� 1 NOW THEREFORE BE TT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Saint Paul that the Director of the Office of 2 Financial Services is directed to have the City's Central Accounting staff include in the Comprehensive Annual 3 Financial Report for the City of Saint Paul for the year ending 12-31-98 an "Unreserved, Designated Fund Balance 4 amount of $6,000,000 for Housing Programs in the City's General Fund"; and 5 BE TI' FTJRTHER RESOLVED that the City Council deems it appropriate to use $6 million of fund balance 6 financing from the City's Genezal Fund to establish a combined and coordinated effort with the McKnight 7 Foundation's $6 miilion housing grant initiative to chalienge businesses, developers, organized labor, non-profit 8 organizations, churches, neighborhood development corporations, and foundations to pledge an additionai $6 9 million in resources for the development of at least $18 million of new, permanently affordable rental and owner- 10 occupied housing for full-time workers and their families earning between $9-14 per hour; and 11 BE TT FiJRTI�R RESOLVED that the Ciry Council requests Mayor Coleman submit a 1999 city budget 12 amendment for Ciry Council consideradon which would formally appropriate $6 million in City General Fund 13 money (or other funds if he deems appropriate) for a coordinated housing development program to be administered 14 by the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and 15 BE TT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Saint Paul commits itself to work in close 16 cooperafion with the City's Administration and with Saint Paul district councils and the Saint Paul business 17 community to identify potential sites for new housing development throughout the City; and 18 BE TT FLTRTHER RESOLVED that prior to any expenditures of General Fund monies, the City Council of the City 19 of Saint Paul, the Administration through its Planning and Economic Development Department, the Community 20 Development Corporations, private developers, trade unions and housing funders shall meet to develop specific 21 recommendations and strategies to decrease the overall cost of housing and the subsidy associated with urban 22 development and that such strategies shall be brought to the City Council and HRA by November 10, 1999 for 23 review and action. Requested by Department of: � Form Approved by City Attomey � Adoption Certified by Council Secretary Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council By: �� a � I � _ By: Approved by Mayor: Date g _� � V `�� Adopted by Council: Date ��...� \��_ �- a��} DATE INRNTFD -� �9-�19 GREEN SHEET No 63982 � MIIYBER FOR ROUT�NG �.�� DEP �� TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGE5 ❑ tIIYATfORIEY ❑ iIIYCLFAK � ❑ A1sI1ML4ERVICFtOR ❑ RIYltlY.8PRV/ACCfC ❑ Wvortlae�sasrm+p ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) �u� R aJ�BU�� t%�� T�'�R�_ or PLANNING CAMMISStON CIB COMMITfEE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION When, AMOl1N7 OF TRANSACTION Has this perso�rm evervrorked under a cord2ct for this depaAmeM? YES NO Has this peisoNfi�m ever been a city employee7 YES NO Does this persoNfirm possess a sidll not normallypossessed by any curterR city employee? VES NO Is this perso�rm a farpHed verMoY7 YES NO COST/REVENUE BUDGETED (CIRCLE ON� VES NO SOURCE ACTIVITY NUMBER � �� ,- ��' �f Co��n�! l�A��>c� ^�r:teC' � APR � � '� CITY OF SAINT PAIJI., 390 Ciry Ha[! Telephone: 651-266-8510 Norm Coleman, Mayor 15 West Kellogg Bou[evard Facsimi[e: 651-266-8513 Saint Paul, MN 55102 Apri120, 1999 Council President Dan Bostrom and Saint Paul City Councilmembers 310 City Hall Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 Dear Councilmembers: I am retuming Council Resolution 99-284 with my veto. I have rejected this plan for two key reasons: it is financially unsound and it fails to articulate a specific spending plan to begin using property tax dollars for the production of more housing units. Moreover, this proposal clearly did not take into account the housing assistance the City already provides or the housing projects either underway or planned in the neact three yeazs. The Council and I agree that housing is a pressing issue in our City. Our disagreement lies in how best to address the issue. In a memo addressed to me, and copied to all City Councilmembers, Saint Paul's Chief Financial Officei, 7oe Reid, advised that it was not prudent fiscal management to change any of the fund balance designations contained in the recently released 1998 preliminary financial statements. This City has relied on Mr. Reid's fiscal advice, and that of Saint Paul governmenYs financial staff, for the last five years, and that advice has consistently produced positive financial results. Even as recently as earlier this month, Moody's Investment Service and Standard and Poor recognized the sound fiscal management in Saint Paul. These data were prepared and released to the bond rating agencies in the 1998 preliminary financial statements The rating agencies investigate and then deliver well respected appraisals of financial position. The rating agencies consider the size of fund balance, along with severai important variables: cash flow, reserves and contingency funds avai(able to meet unforseen expenses, the economic sensitivity of revenues and expenses, and the accuracy with which budget estimates for financing and spending can be made. They consider fund balance position to be a fundamental measure of the fle�bility a city has to provide for essential services. Saint Pau('s budget outlook for the year 2000 indicates additional application of fund balance to the budget will be necessary to hold down the tas levy. The 1998 reserved and designated items and their amounts are practical, realistic, and sound. � Saint Paul City Councilmembers April 20, 1999 Page Two �� H All of this leads Joe Reid to recommend to me that it is not prudent to change any fund balance designations at this time. I believe it is critical that we follow that advice. Further, consider what the City is currently doing in the housing arena. My administration has a housing commitment which exceeds that of any previous administration. In 1999, we anticipate budgeting $12 million in direct City funding for housing. In 1998, we invested $8.7 million in direct City dollars and $49 million in total housing funds. 1999 will be another exceptional year. We anticipate budgeting $12 million in direct City funding for housing. The 7ohnson Brothers Liquor and Capitol Heights sites are slated for housing construction yet this year. Looking ahead to 2000 and 2001, the West Side Flats, Shepard Davern, Koch Mobil, North Quadrant, and Brewery Neighborhoods each hold potential and promise for diverse new housing developments. In addition to these examples of new production, Saint Paul is committed to rehabilitation of our e�sting housing stock. Through the Home Loan Fund, we invested $2.1 million in rehab in 1998 and provided $7.85 million in mortgage loan assistance. Again, our commitment remains consistent for 1999. As a complement to our construction and rehab efforts, the City also offers a variety of tools to assist home buyers and owners in Saint Paul, including home loans, first-time home buyer programs, rehab assistance, home ownership development, tax credits and a variety of other programs and incentives. Moreover, I have directed key department heads to find a way to streamline our licensing and approval process and identify barriers to new housing production—be they onerous City regulations or excessive costs. Government needs to pull its weight in this debate by making the construction and rehab process user friendly as much as cost effective and I am committed to seeing that happen. When we move past the divisiveness and rhetoric to see the full complement of projects and services the City offers, it is clear that a financial scheme which could potentialiy put City ta�cpayers at risk, is not a feasible solution. Rather, I am hopeful that the Council will join me in supporting a streamlined licensing and approval process which will foster the production of new units. Let's stop debating housing. Let's continue our progress and, in fact, accelerate our efforts to build and rehabilitate housing. incerely, (�/� Norm Coleman (� " t �-• Mayor �m��.� e � - 3 �� '� 1 q � RESOLUTION „, OF SAINT PAUL, MI Presented Referred To Council File # � - � �f Green Sheet # 1O�98o� Housing Program for New, Permanently Date �S 2 Affordable Rental and Owner-Occupied Housing fo 3 Full-Time Warkers and Their Families 4 WHEREAS, the Housing Plan, recommended by the Planning Commis 'on to the Mayor and City Council as a 5 Chapter of Saint Paul's Comprehensive Plan states that the availabili of safe and decent affordable housing is 6 critical to the economic health of the City and its neighborhoods; 7 WHEREAS, in Saint Paul, affordable rental and ownership housi for full-time working people and their families, 8 earning $9-14 per hour, has been priced beyond their reach; 9 WHEREAS, these full-time workers, earning between $1 ,720 and $29,120 per year as cited by the Minnesota 10 Department of Economic Security, include (but are not 1� 'ted to) the following occupations vital to the operation 11 of a strong local and regional economy: office workers �ndergarten teachers, travel agents, shipping and receiving 12 clerks, dental assistants, cabinet makers, medical and gal secretaries, medical and clinical laboratory technologists 13 and technicians, technical writers and editors, insura ce claims clerks, sales agents, social workers, licensed practical 14 nurses, auto mechanics, legal assistants, emergen medical technicians, library aides, machine assemblers, surgical 15 technicians, truck drivers, sheet metal worker , duct installers, health service workers, food service managers, 16 industrial truck and tractor operators, graphi designers, welders, machinists; and 17 � 18 WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council h indicated that growth is likely to occur mainly in jobs at these income 19 levels, as there will be 300,000 new job n the next 15 years, one-half of which will pay less than $22,000 per yeaz; 20 and 21 WHEREAS, these full-time wage ers represent the heart and soul of the Saint Paul workforce, our greatest asset 22 in attracting business and indus to locate in Saint Paul to strengthen and sustain the talc base of a healthy and 23 prosperous City;and 24 WHEREAS, 70 percent of e jobs created through the economic development efforts of the Saint Paul Departrnent 25 of Planning and Econo 'c Development and the Saint Paul Port Authority aze entry-level positions paying $9-14 26 per hour; and 27 WHEREAS, Twi rties housing development experts, including private, nonprofit, foundation and public sectors, 28 believe that pro ding safe, decent and affordable housing for this segment of the 5aint Paul workforce is a top 29 prioriry and h e urged the City to join them in partnership to create such housing; and 0.`t - �$�{ 1 WHEREAS, to that end on Mazch 22, 1999, the McKnight Foundation awarded a$6 million grant to the City of 2 Saint Paul to develop and preserve housing for fuli-time workers within this salary range. 3 NOW THEREFORE BE 1T RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Saint Paul that the Duector o e O�ce of 4 Financial Services is directed to have the City's Central Accounting staff include in the Compre nsive Annual 5 Financial Report for the City of Saint Paul for the year ending 12-31-98 an "Unreserved, Desi ed Fund Balance 6 amount of $6,000,000 for� Housing Programs in the City's General Fund"; and 7 8 9 10 11 12 BE TP FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council deems it appropriate to use million of fund balance financing from the City's General Fund to establish a combined and coordinat effort with the McKnight Foundation's $6 million housing grant initiative to challenge business, develop s, organized labor, non-profit organizafions, churches, neighborhood development corporations, and found ions to pledge an additional $6 million in resources for the development of at least $18 million of new, perm ently affardable rental and owner- occupied housing for full-time workers and their families earning between 9-14 per hour; and 13 BE TT F[IRTHER RESOLVED that the City Council requests M or Coleman submit a 1999 city budget 14 amendment for City Council consideraUon which would formally propriate $6 million in City General Fund 15 money (or other funds if he deems appropriate) far a coordinated housing development program to be 16 administered by the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Au ority; and 17 BE TI' FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the ity of Saint Paul commits itself to work in close 18 cooperation with the City's Administration and with S' t Paul district councils and the Saint Paul business 19 community to identify potenfial sites for new housing d elopment throughout the City. Requested by Deparknent of: Benanav Blakey Bostrom Coleman x�s Reiter Adopted by Coun : Date Adoption � by Council Secretary Approved by Mayor: Date !•� Form Approved by City Attomey � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council � � , . . - - - - � �� `�`� ' �8y L�x:al Initiatives SupFmrt Corpcuatlon March 24, 1999: Dear Councilmember Benanav, Councilmember Blakey, Councilrnember Coleman, and Councilmember Lantry; I'm writiny to express my strong support for the creation vf an S 18 mlllfon pool of funding to stimulate the development of affordable t�ousing for persons earning S 18,000 to S35,000 per year. As you are well aware, the vitality of our neighborhoods and our City as a whoie is ciose�y tied to the. availability of decent, affordable housing opportunities. Witti many working families currently priced out of the housing market in St. Paul, it is essential that the City, working closely with its partners, take bold and creative action to address this issue. Over the last ten years, the Local Initiatives Support Corpor2tion (LISC) has invasted S45 million to strengthen St. Paul's neighborhoods. The City's commitment of $6 million for the deveiopment of permane!ntty a(tordable housing is critically important to leveraging other housinq development resourees. LISC is committed to working with the City Council, Mayor, state officials, and corporate and philanthropic partners to lielp fuliy capitalize the fund. I applaud your leadership on this issue and look forward to workin� with each of you on this initiative. Sincerely, �I Fate 5enior Program DireCtor cc: Mayor Norm Coleman Council President Oan Bostrom Councilmember Mike Harris Councilmember Jim Reiter lwin Cities LISC I �amlinr I'ark Plaza, S70 Asbury Street, Suite 2U7, St. I,�ul, MN '•'� I u� Tcl: i�5�) fi49-1709 • Fax:IG>il (>4!) 1111 99-�8y r FannieMae Ma[ch 24,1999 (.l'ry of S� Paul Ciry FTaII 15 WesLKeiloggBlvd. St, Paul, MN 55102 A'lTk.'NTION: Couacilmeeuiier Jay Beaanav— Reom 310D Coondimember Jerry BJakey— ltoom 310A Co�•�+�+��ber Ct�ris Colemaa — Room 310B Coandlmember Kat6y Lantry— itoom 320C RE: Hoasing Opportnnity kuind Proposal bear Counc�membe�s: MiameSOU Putnus5ip OtTitt 3s6 NMr]� maDasW Saeet Slit[e 1026 R. Paot. MN 55102 65i i439356 65i »S 9543 (f�sJ This leuer is in zesponse to your communication datad March 18, 2949 cocccerning resouroes for the development of new and a8'ordable mntal and oHVersEiip housing for peisons eanring betwcen S9 and $14 per hour. I share yoor concezu and commitment to thFSe Sairrt pyul cit'v.eoa Fannie Mae's miaion is M pmvide Snancial products and services that 9narase the availability and the a�'oxdability of housiq,� for low-, moderata, and ariddle-income Americans. In N�nnesota we aze fulSlling that mission tLrough our FIoaseMinnesota invest2nent plao, which was c�panded last year (when we rcached our five-yrar goal two yeacs ahead of schedule) into an eight-year Plan to invest $14 bil&on aad help 15U,000 families. It is ihrough strong partneiships, mch as the one we enjoy with the (,l'ty of Saint Paul, tI�at makes me wnfideo[ we will acliieve these goals Base�l npon our woric in Saint Paul aad the Ttvin Ciries metropolihan area, I concu� with you tLat the segmeat of the marku racniny S9-S14 perhournaeds assispnce in 8ndiqgadaquate ho" '�. Owrnational research shows that "not having enwgh cmney for a down paymeot � elosing costs" is tbe gieatcst pere¢�ved obstade to homeownetship_ Secoad on tbe list of bameas is "being abie to 5nd a home that you like that you can a8ord." Us empt4isis as a�xporation has beea tn break duwn these affoxda6iliry bamexs by developing new produar and culUm�g costs to ihe consvmer_ We also Imow thaz no one ga:t of the ma�et can eliaunate Qie barciecs to housing affordabiliCy_ k is onty when public, private and non-profit enfities work togetber tl�at our common goals can be achieved I look £oxwazd to continuing W work with yon in yonr effons to build a better Saint Paut for all its citizens. Sincerely, ,��-/�,.�-- Gloxia 7. Bosuom Director Cc: Mayor Norm Coleman Council P�eaident ban Bostrom Councilmemba Mike Hanis Co�mcilmcmber Tim Reiter a a-a��l � Office of the City Council � Suite 310-D, City Hall Saint Paul, MN 55102-1615 .,- ��, . April 5,1999 � �� Dear Jane: � � Thanks for contacting me about the affordable housing resolution being introduced by members of the City Council to use $6 million from the city reserve fund to build more affordable housing units. However, I have been a resident of the Summit-University Community for the past 30 years, and I love this city. But if things don't change I will be forced to move from the suburbs back into a homeless shelter were I was living when I first met you. Groveland, Le�ngton-Hamline and now Little Canada. I am employed part time at a computer help desk support service center, little college, earning entry-level wages of less than $20,000 a year. My apartment, a efficiency, costs $330 a month. This is more than half of my monthiy income after taxes. It is more than I can afford to pay, but with a housing vacancy rate approaching 1 percent, I don't Imow if I'll be able to move. I have never missed a payment on my rent, nor have I had any trouble with my previous landlords. Since, 1995 I haue lived in: White Bear Lake, Downtown across from 411 main, Merriam Park, Macalester- I am a decent, hard-working person who pays my taxes, but rising rents and gentrification of people and neighborhoods is forcing me out again. I strongly support the plan put forvvard by members of the City Council to build more affordable housing units. However, city government must also take aetion now to ensure that the e�usting housing stock remain affordable and in good condition. I hope this helps you understand some of the concerns, questions, and aiixiety that I am experiencing. Sincerely • ,' � r -- -.�. � .� CC: Mayor Norm Coleman C, - �Ft�sal�� -- -_- a9�b .�; t e ��7" �� (,,�{f(� CaNad��.�.�„� �s�t3. 04/06/99 TUE 13:33 FA% 612 697 7570 .� Apri16,1999 City Council Members: Jay Benanav, Jerry Blakey, Cfuis Coleman, Kathy Laniry 31Q City Hall 15 West I�ellogg Boulevazd Saint Paul, MN 55102 Dear Council Members: BUILDERS ASSOCIATION f-�''� ��y �� . ,.:�.. � � :�=; �� BUII DFRS A I SSOQATION � �a�`� Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Council request for funding directed toward new affordable housmg consisting of both tental and ownership units for persons with hourly incomes between $9-$12 per hour. � We ask that if the city successfu]ly creates such a fund, there be careful review of city policies, ordinances, and codes that result in increased costs for renters or buyers. Whether tlus housing is developed by for-profit or not-for-profit builders, the fees and policies apply to each unit. Avoiding unnecessary cost without jeopardizing the health, safety, and welfue of residents should be a priority. National studies estimate that public policy requirements and rules add between 14 and 15% to the cost of housing. This pezcentage increase has a dramatic imgact on the grice of each housing unit and is most harshly felt at the lower income levels. The Builders Association of the Twin Cities currendy works with the Frogtown Communiry Development Corporation and the City of Saint Paul in the Frogtown neighborhood to help provide affordable housing. This experience has given our members significant insights to the city housing development process. G, �� r Please advise us of any way we could work effectively with the city to implement efficient and cost effective programs for the city's affordable housing initiatives. Sincerely, ��'�� L�} � L' ��"7i/ : �Q2,�� `""xa/f� ��r� Kazen Christofferson Daniel E. Hunt, Chairperson Public Policy Committee Director of Public Policy CC: Mayor Norm Coleman; Members of the Saint Paul City Council \� z96o Centre Pointe Drive Roseville, Minnesom SSI i3'I ia2 M P��, Celebradng Ooer $O Ye¢rs of the Pmade of Homes`" 6 5i� 6 97' 7 954 Fax 6gil697'7394 Farade Faz 65i76g7�7575 � �.,� ;�. D - � ' i � mmonBor►c� CO�I VlL'\ ITI E 5 Board ef Directors \lary ,�iadonna .�shron. C5J Peter Bell Gloria l. Bostrom {l'ilham BritP Eilen Bro�vn .�ustin Chapman' Thomas Dolan' Anit� S. Ducknr Joseph Ertigo' Robert Gaertner Pasior Hugh Gilmore Thr Recerend ,\lark 5. Hanson Geor�e Hicks EI(en Hi�;ins Lea .\\ Johnson Rarbara 7, hilbourne Connic hnight. Chaii � d hramlinger uller f,cor,�c C Laog Susan Lester \lanno .\lunoz l�on Rcverend hecin AIcDonough luhn .Vurph�" Patriva .a. Perell .\lichelle Grabanski Pohlad` Lynn Carlson Schell Ju<in,e .Vananne Short luhn E. 5[eger Geor�ma Stephens Thomas Scv�in' Henn \'etzer ��•�u�.,m c�s�r�rr, o� c��i 'E.ctcutive Co�runit�tr 328 Kellogg Boulevard West SL Paul, Minnesota 55102-1900 (651) 291-1750 (phane) (651) 291-1003 (fqx) tvww.commonbond.org � � n�o�a� co�Fd¢ Appeol April 1, 1999 Mayor Norm Coleman City of St. Paul 15 Kellogg Blvd. St. Paui, MN 55102 Re: Councif File 99-282 Dear Mayor Coieman: �q-a�� c�� ;; � �� ,^ � I urge you and other members ofi the St. Paul City Council to vote for Council File 99-282. There is a growing crisis in affordable housing with an increasing number ofi housing units priced beyond the ability of more and more people to pay. This crisis in affordable housing is fast becoming an economic deveiopment issue, since growth in our area is stifled by the inability of potential employees to find housing they can afford. {nitiatives such as the ones proposed by Council File 99-282, especialiy when match by other sources, will help alleviate the social and economic probtems resufting form a shortage of affordabie housing. Therefore, I hope you and other members of the St. Paul City Council wiN vote for Councif File 99-282. S�ere4y, 1 � A i '� ` / � � i i �- 7 � '� ��,�� l � L �, Douglas , �yo ;/ Director of Housing Deve{opment CC: Jay Benanav An Equa! Oppartunity/Affirmative Action Organi:a�ion ; ; � �� .. ,, : •. .; � i i April 12, 1999 i � ' i . :.. , qy ;�� it�.Hill Associat�o � . . n;�..;....c r,i_.._:__ .,_. 860 Saint Clai� AVen Satnt PaW, Minnesota 557 TelepFione 65t-222-12 Fax 651-222-15 e-mail summit.hillCt�sfna�d n � � � M2yor Norm Coleman and Members.of the Sairit Paui,City Council. ' Tf�ird F(oor Saint Pdul City Hail j 15 West Kellogg Qoulevard . � Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 � • � � Dear Mayor Coleman and Members of the Saint City Council, ! , . � ` 'Th:e Summit Hili Association/District 16 Planning�Council has been following with ; inf�rest the current city disoussions about affordable hoitsing. We recognize that the �ds�elopmenf of housing at aii inopme levefs is importani for the continued vitality of the �city, ancl thai the developmerit of housing for w6�kers earning belween $9-$74 per Jhour is critical it the city is to maintain a workforce that lives in Saint Paul. i � . .. iWe applaud the city's effotts to develop affordable housing arid support the concept �ou.�lined in Resolution 99-284: We would, however, like to see more detailed pians ;deyefoped for how the city woold leverage $6 million from the city's general fund to . 'create more permanently affordable reniai and ovyner occupied housing. if the city - �can develop.such plans, we think the in"vestment in affordabie housing is worthwhile. ' +Thank you for your continued efforts to make Saint Paul a more livable city. If you have questions abbut our discussions or this lefter, you may contact me, or Elien 6ia�es, our executive director, at 651-222-1222, : � �, . ' $Siricerely,. • . : � •' 7�?�-� �-�,�� . .: olly Coskran .� , . , re'sident • �, . : •: . I :; , p �-- = -.. : .._ � .. : � .. -- —. .--.— - ,. ,; � �. �• �� I ��: � , � � :� . << `;. ` i. ; � �: ."�; � �'. ;.