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Get in the Game...Get in the Game...

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REGISTERCLICKHERE

February 1-2, 2018 Ehlers MN Public Finance Seminar

Earle Brown Heritage Center | 6155 Earle Brown Drive | Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 55430

Get in the Game...Get in the Game...

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Welcome to the Ehlers Annual Public Finance Seminar: Get in the Game… Tackle Public Finance.

We celebrate the hard work and dedication of countless public finance and development professionals who work each day to tackle

local obstacles and score points with their communities. Just as the Pro Bowl brings together the most skilled

and celebrated players, we have assembled our top draft picks from around the State to share their wisdom and experience

with you at Ehlers’ 35th annual seminar.

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. – The Coin Toss: Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – Kick-Off: Brian Reilly and Steve Apfelbacher

9:00 a.m. – Keynote Address: Pat Richie “Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else” The principles of the Wall Street Journal Bestselling book, “The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business” by Patrick Lencioni is put into a one hour, highly practical presentation by Pat Richie.

Richie has worked with over 500 organizations, helping them to understand and implement the four disciplines of a Healthy Organization:

1. Build and Maintain a Cohesive Leadership Team

2. Create Organizational Clarity

3. Overcommunicate the Clarity

4. Reinforce the Clarity through Human Systems

You will take away actions for immediate improvement in your organization’s health, which will quickly help you serve your communities more impactfully and efficiently.

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Day One Thursday, February 1

Keynote Speaker Pat Richie

10:00 a.m. – Time Out 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. | First Quarter (CHOOSE ONE)

TIF and Tax Abatement 101Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and tax abatement continue to be two of the most powerful tools used to assist communities with accomplishing development goals. Whether it’s creating jobs, providing new housing choices, redeveloping parts of the community, or enhancing the quality of life, TIF and abatement can play a role. This session will include an overview of the basics of TIF and abatement and provide an understanding of the concepts behind each of these effective development financing tools.

Speakers: Mary Ippel – Briggs & Morgan; Rebecca Kurtz – Ehlers

Pat Richie Breakout SessionThis breakout session will be a follow-up practicum to the keynote and will provide attendees with an opportunity to assess their own team’s cohesiveness in five key areas. They will also learn practical steps that leaders can take immediately to improve their team in the areas of trust and healthy conflict.

Speaker: Pat Richie

Retail Market TrendsThe retail business continues to change dramatically. Technology along with demographic shifts and changes in the economy continue to reshape how we shop. There are more retail channels available than ever before. Amazon continues to expand, and it wants your shopping trip to end with a drone delivery to your doorstep. A migration of employment and residential population back into downtowns is creating opportunity for some businesses in our central business districts. Regional malls have received new investment and are evolving into more diversified destinations with residential and hotel components. Learn from two of the region’s retail experts as they explain trends and nuances in the industry and forecast the changes in store.

Speaker: Mark Robinson – Mid-America Real Estate; Rob Barse – McShane Development

Training

Camp:

The Huddle:

Fantasy

Football:

Thursday, February 1 Get in the Game...Get in the Game...

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11:15 a.m. – Time Out

Day One

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Second Quarter (CHOOSE ONE)

TIF 201So you understand the basics of TIF but may be wondering how this tool is applied in practice to enhance employment opportunities, revitalize downtowns, redevelop under-utilized land, or provide affordable housing. This session will build on the concepts of TIF 101 and go into greater detail to explore how TIF can help a project get done in your community. Topics will include estimating tax increment, financing options, analyzing the funding gap, and negotiating development agreements.

Speakers: Jenny Boulton – Kennedy and Graven; Jason Aarsvold – Ehlers

Bonds 101Is your community planning to finance a significant project in 2018, or do you have existing debt that merits refunding consideration? This session will equip you with the knowledge needed to tackle your upcoming project financing. We will provide an overview of the bond marketplace, explore the favorable financing options available to municipalities, and walk through the key components of your transaction, including who and what is involved in the debt issuance process.

Speakers: Stephen Rosholt – Kutak Rock; Bruce Kimmel and Chris Mickelson – Ehlers

Successful EDA StrategiesWhat is the magic that successful EDA organizations use to maintain momentum and results in the face of obstacles? Often politics, lack of funding, and the general dislike for government can be discouraging in our workplace. This session will motivate you to tackle these challenges and achieve successful projects, plus give insight into proven philosophies and strategies that produce results in both smaller and larger communities in the State.

Speakers: Chris Eng – Washington County Community Development Agency; Miles Seppelt – City of Hutchinson EDA

The Playbook

:

Rookie Contracts:

Getting to the

Playoffs:

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12:30 – Half Time: Lunch

Day One

1:45 – 2:45 p.m. | Third Quarter (CHOOSE ONE)

Development Case Studies Increasingly communities are receiving questions on how tax increment impacts the school district. In this two part session, learn how TIF impacts the school district and how to respond to questions and concerns. Then, hear how Hutchinson has successfully worked with the School and County to use tax increment to move a variety of development goals forward including housing and redevelopment for commercial and industrial space. Speakers: Miles Seppelt – City of Hutchinson EDA; Greg Crowe – Ehlers

Debt AdministrationIssuing bonds is merely the beginning of your relationship with debt administration. There are important, ongoing tasks related to managing your debt portfolio, whether accessing capital in the public markets or the local bank. Learn about the key aspects of debt administration, such as establishing the proper funds and accounts, investing debt proceeds, reviewing sufficiency of revenue sources, tracking and maintaining debt service funds, understanding rating surveillance and setting yourself up for success in the areas of continuing disclosure and arbitrage compliance. Speakers: Jeanne Vogt and Brian Reilly – Ehlers; Jack Fay – Ehlers Investment Partners

Tour of Downtown HopkinsDowntown Hopkins is experiencing a renaissance. The historic Mainstreet has often struggled to gain traction – until now. New businesses are opening and new residents are here to support them. This renewed interest in Hopkins has come from changing preferences, the planned Southwest LRT line, and years of smaller redevelopment initiatives. The City has harnessed this momentum to undertake key redevelopment projects and fine tune the Mainstreet experience. Two projects, The Artery and The Moline, create a new gateway to the downtown. The Artery, a pedestrian thoroughfare, features a two-way cycle track connecting major bike trails through downtown. Doran Companies recently completed The Moline, a 241-unit luxury apartment building that includes a public park and ride and bicycle lounge. In addition, the City of Hopkins has been experimenting. Parklets, street cafes, public art, friendly storefronts, façade loan programs and more are all adding to a renewed and vibrant Mainstreet. Join us for a walking tour (weather permitting) and a presentation of the initiatives that have led to success. See the progress for yourself, including The Artery and The Moline, and ending at the warm and welcoming LTD Brewery.Speakers: Kersten Elverum & Meg Beekman – City of Hopkins; Tony Kuechle & Kelly Doran – Doran Companies

Eligible

Receivers:

Man-to-Man

Coverage:

Away Game:

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2:45 p.m. – Time Out

Day One

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Fourth Quarter (CHOOSE ONE)

Workforce Housing FinanceDemand for multi-family workforce housing continues to outpace supply in most areas and is often at the forefront of community economic development discussions. The Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program is the largest funding source in the country for new workforce housing; however, the highly technical nature of the LIHTC program can make it daunting to understand. What are the tax credits; how does a developer get them; and how are they used? What is the role of tax-exempt bonds? Why do workforce housing projects still request local financial contributions? If your community is looking to attract workforce housing development, or you simply want to understand the difference between 4% and 9% tax credits, this session’s local experts and real-world examples will distill for you the key aspects of the LIHTC program and how they may best be utilized to achieve your housing goals.

Speakers: Julie Wischnack – City of Minnetonka; Julie Eddington – Kennedy and Graven; James Lehnhoff – Ehlers

Why You Should Care About DisclosureThe municipal securities market has come under increased scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in recent years, as evidenced by its policy papers, the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation (MCDC) Initiative, and implementation of fines and sanctions. We will cover the issuer’s responsibilities with respect to the primary offering document (Official Statement) and continuing disclosure requirements, as well as recent SEC initiatives and enforcement actions in the municipal securities market against both professionals and municipal officials.

Speakers: Rhonda Skoby – Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Sara Beecher and Brian Reilly – Ehlers

Tour of Downtown Hopkins (continued)The tour will return to Earle Brown at 4:00 p.m.

Forward Progress

:

Flag on the Play:

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4:00 p.m. - Post-Game Reception

Day One

Away Game:

8:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – Recap of Day One: Stacie Kvilvang

8:45 a.m. – Legislative Update: Gary Carlson – League of MN Cities 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. | Two Minute Warning (CHOOSE ONE)

Mall of America Case StudyMall of America (MOA) lies within Bloomington’s South Loop District. The MOA weathered the economic downturn of 2008, and the continued pressure from online shopping since then, better than most other bricks and mortar retailers due to it being a mixed-use project. The owners of the MOA have diversified their project from the beginning, including the expansion to include two new hotels and an office complex. Along those lines, the City has been working hard to diversify land use in its South Loop District, to make it more than the MOA. The City has utilized various financing tools to complete transit-oriented, mixed-use expansion projects at MOA, and other sites in the District totaling $680 million since 2013. Come to this session to hear both an overview of the MOA South Loop, and the nitty-gritty of how some of these projects were financially structured.

Speaker: Schane Rudlang – Bloomington Port Authority Administrator

Current Issues in Water and Sewer Rate ManagementAnnual water and sewer bills can be as much or more than property taxes – and are increasingly scrutinized by both ratepayers and rating agencies. In addition, customers and interest groups are filing lawsuits to change the way water use is managed or how costs are allocated between users. Come learn how two communities responded to lawsuits, changing their utility rates and instituting water conservation measures. We will explore the state-wide implications of the White Bear Lake water dispute, plus profile the impact of a large industrial customer in the City of Zumbrota. You will come away with concrete and practical ways to respond to challenges facing your water and sewer utilities.

Speakers: Ellen Richter – City of White Bear Lake; Neil Jensen – City of Zumbrota; Jessica Cook – Ehlers

Market Trends in RestaurantsRestaurants are a key amenity for every community, and sought after tenants for redevelopment projects. They are continuously evolving in concept and working hard to address work force and market demands. To further complicate things, in 2014, the Legislature made changes to the State’s minimum wage law that required tipped employees also be paid minimum wage. This law has had an effect on many restaurants’ bottom line. Today, the new buzz word in the restaurant world is “fast casual” and we have seen a flurry of new concepts come into the market. Come hear from restaurant owners, brokers and industry experts on the impacts of the minimum wage law, the future of sit-down restaurants, market trends and what new restaurant concepts will be hitting our market soon and which ones, if any, will fade away.

Review of Play:

Gatorade Bath:

Finding the Open

Receiver:

10:45 a.m. – Time Out

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Day Two

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | OVERTIME (CHOOSE ONE)

10 Lessons in Development and Redevelopment Development and redevelopment are complex in the best of circumstances. Community goals, physical constraints, and market realities don’t always align. What is the difference between a project that moves forward while others languish? No single set of tools works for all communities, but the insights and experience shared in this session will provide examples and strategies from projects that worked or projects that collapsed. Using real examples and professional experience, this session will help cities identify and avoid common pitfalls that lead to project setbacks or failures, qualities that attract or detract developer attention, and criteria to consider when quickly evaluating project feasibility.

Speakers: Stacie Kvilvang and Jason Aarsvold – Ehlers

Coordinating Project Funders and Financing Lining up your financing for a water or sewer treatment plant or other large project can be a daunting process. It requires sorting through multiple options for funders and financing sources including the Minnesota Public Finance Authority (PFA), the federal USDA, the non-profit Rural Water and the bond market. Developing a comprehensive financing plan is an effective way to help achieve a smooth transaction that achieves the lowest cost of funds. Coordinating early-on with USDA, PFA and members of your finance team such as a municipal advisor and engineer can help create a finance plan that clearly presents your options. Come hear the steps involved in applying for these programs. Learn how other bonding options with state credit enhancement can provide project flexibility and how to decide which path to take.

Speakers: Chuck Schwartz – MSA Professional Services; Todd Hagen and Nick Anhut – Ehlers

Condemnation is Still a ConsiderationThis session will overview the changes in the condemnation law that effectively took this tool away for redevelopment projects. In addition, it will provide insight on how it is being used today for road and utility projects that may be related to redevelopment efforts, and how it can be used for new city facilities such as city halls, public works, and parks. We will examine issues related to the city’s share of costs in State road projects, pitfalls when using condemnation for new city facilities and hidden costs cities should be aware of.

Speakers: Peter Mikhail – Kennedy and Graven

Shovel Pass:

Trading Draft Picks:

Contract

Buy-out:

12:00 p.m. - Seminar Closing

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Day Two

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

Ehlers conducts seminars and educational programs on topics of interest in the areas of public finance and acts as an independent Municipal Advisor to the public sector for debt issuance and housing, economic development and redevelopment projects. This seminar is for public officials and staff, developers, attorneys and others who want to develop a greater understanding of public finance. The presenters at this seminar have extensive knowledge of how public finance works and how to help communities grow.

The following Continuing Education Credits have been applied for: CLE and BEU

Seminar Location and Information

Earle Brown Heritage Center6155 Earle Brown DriveBrooklyn Center, Minnesota 55430(763) 569-6300 or (800) 524-0239

Fees and Payment Policy:

Registration Fee: $290 for public Entities and $330 for Private Entities (includes continental breakfast, lunch and reception)

Registrations must be received by Friday, January 26, 2018. Discount of 10% for four or more attendees from one organization. Register online or by mail.

Please make checks payable to Ehlers.

Cancellation Policy:

Registration fee is fully refundable for cancellations made prior to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 26, 2018. Full refunds will be made should the seminar be cancelled.

I am registering for the Public Finance Seminar ($290 Public Entities/$330 Private Entities)

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ORGANIZATION: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY/STATE: ___________________________________________________________________ ZIP: ___________________________________

PHONE: _____________________________________________________ FAX: ____________________________________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please indicate below which program you are interested in attending. You may only select one topic per session:

Day One

Thursday 10:15 a.m. TIF and Abatement 101 Pat Richie – Break-out Session Retail Market Trends

Thursday 11:30 a.m. TIF 201 Bonds 101 Successful EDA Strategies

Thursday 1:45 p.m. Development Case Studies Debt Administration Tour of Downtown Hopkins

Thursday 3:00 p.m. Workforce Housing Finance Why You Should Care About Disclosure Tour Continued

Day Two

Friday 9:45 a.m. MOA Case Study Current Issues in Utility Rates Restaurant Market Trends

Friday 11:00 a.m. Lessons in Development Coordinating Funders Condemnation

HOTEL INFORMATION:

For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at Embassy Suites (adjacent to the Earle Brown Center). Embassy Suites will be providing a discounted room rate which is the same price for single or double occupancy ($139 king or $139 for two queen beds). Space is limited so please call Embassy Suites at 763-560-2700 and tell them you are with the Ehlers Public Finance Seminar. Reservation deadline is January 19, 2018. Reservations made after this date will be taken on a “space available basis” at the hotel’s prevailing rate. The hotel has a 24 hour cancellation policy for discounted rooms.

REGISTRATION

Register online or complete the registration form below and send to:

Public Finance Seminar c/o Ehlers

3060 Centre Pointe DriveRoseville, Minnesota 55113-1105

Phone: (651) 697-8500 Fax: (651) 697-8555Make checks payable to Ehlers

Seminar Registration Hotel Registration