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<br />Regular Meeting <br /> <br />October 11, 2004 <br /> <br />125. <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />District. He also stated this agreement would be for ten years, and at <br />Ithat time the City could either sell the property and use the proceeds for <br />educational activities for local youths, or continue to own and operate it <br />under some arrangement. Whatever profits are made would go towards <br />educational activities for local youths. He stated the American Housing <br />Foundation has provided a cash flow chart showing the net for 2005 at <br />$188,000.00 and the following year, $200,000.00 and would go up each year. <br />Mr. O'Leary stated he needs direction from the City Council for a PaYment <br />Lieu of Taxes Program. Mr. Thomaides inquired whether the PILOT would be <br />a year-to-year agreement. Mr. O'Leary stated the PILOT would be for the <br />life of the bond. Mr. Diaz stated he feels this is a good deal, <br />especially since American Housing Foundation can remove property off the <br />tax roll and is not required to pay anything to the City. Mr. Mark <br />Taylor stated American Housing is a charitable institution under State <br />Law. The Texas Tax Code provides for a property tax exemption for <br />property once it is acquired. He also stated American Housing Foundation <br />is seeking funding for this acquisition that is tax-exempt under federal <br />income tax laws, and if the City approves the tax-exempt financing, then <br />American Housing Foundation has agreed to enter into a PILOT. Mr. Diaz <br />inquired to whether the cash flow could go to another educational agency <br />or entity. Mr. Steve Sterquell, of American Housing Foundation, stated <br />their goal is to have funds available for lower-income or first-generation <br />Istudents. He also stated American Housing Foundation prefers to help kids <br />in the sixth through tenth grades with contracts, if they stay crime-free, <br />drug-free and have a chance to go to college. The educational foundation <br />is the City Council's choice within the community. He stated American <br />Housing Foundation has entered into an agreements with the City of Dallas, <br />which has received $450,000.00 for scholarships. He stated they realize <br />that the program costs money to have mentors and for people to work with <br />these children. He stated this is why American Housing Foundation is <br />offering $100,000.00 to the Educational Foundation as an up-front gift for <br />the funds to run this program. He stated the City of Dallas set up a <br />Phoenix Fund. He also stated the Internal Revenue Service issued American <br />Housing Foundation a private letter, and they are currently the only non- <br />profit organization in the United States that has the right to do student <br />housing as a nationwide charitable activity without being a university. <br />Mr. Bose stated he has some concerns about this project and feels it is <br />too good to be true. Mr. Sterquell stated American Housing Foundation can <br />take the property off the tax roll, but the foundation is offering a PILOT <br />to help relieve the effect of removing the property off the tax roll. He <br />stated they will get two percent of the Adjusted Gross Income to manage <br />the property, which is all the IRS allows. He also stated the City will <br />be provided an annual audit of the property. He stated he would be happy <br />to provide an audit of their foundation for the Council to review. Mr. <br />IMihalkanin stated San Marcos is facing problems with non-profit <br />corporations coming to San Marcos and removing property off the tax rolls <br />because of the State University. He stated he appreciates American <br />