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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/2000 - STAFF REPORTS (15) DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2000 TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: REDEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SEEKING DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL ON WHETHER TO ASSIST DESERT AIDS PROJECT SECURE STATE-GUARANTEED TAX EXEMPT BOND FINANCING THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS IN ORDER TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF THEIR BUILDING AT 1675 NORTH SUNRISE WAY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council consider an application by the Desert AIDS Project for tax-exempt bond financing for the purchase of their building at 1675 North Sunrise Way, with bonds guaranteed by the State of California and issued by the Association of Bay Area Governments SUMMARY: The Desert AIDS Project (DAP) moved into their current space approximately two years ago with an option to purchase the building at a favorable price. They are currently looking at financing the purchase, and wish to use long-term, tax- exempt bonds guaranteed by the State. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) regularly issues such bonds for community organizations such as DAP, and can issue them more quickly and with less expense than the California Healthcare Facility Financing Agency. The City, however, would be required to conduct the TEFRA public hearing required of all tax-exempt bonds, and become an associate member of ABAG (at no expense) to facilitate DAP's use of ABAG's bonding authority. BACKGROUND: This item is before Council as an information item only. Before committing staff resources and asking DAP to commit financial resources to a tax-exempt bond issue, staff felt it made sense to discuss the project with Council. The bonds would be issued by ABAG and therefore would not have the City's name on them; in addition, the bonds are guaranteed by the State of California. Therefore, the City bears no financial or credit risk if DAP were to default. All that is required of the City is to conduct the TEFRA hearing on the bond issue, as well as become an associate member of ABAG to make DAP eligible to use ABAG's bonding facility. DAP is considering using ABAG rather than the State directly because ABA has the ability to float the bond issue on a more timely basis, and its issuan costs are lower. DAP's financial consultant is from the Bay Area and has do a several bond issues through the organization. JOH S. RAY OND ed elooppm t Director APPROVED City Manager ��A