HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-11 CC Meeting Packet Enclosure-ENCLOSUM
Oak Park Hei
Re for Council Action
Meetin Date March 11 ,..200
A Item Title Receiv ive Bri - - sa Mor Corr ondence Re and Council for
Refinancin of VSSA McKean S LLC Housin Revenue Bonds
A Placement
Ori Department/ Re Administration --- Judv Hoist
Re Si
Action Re Receive ondence from Bri Mor
Back (Please indicate an previous action, financial implications
includin bud information and recommendations).
See attached correspondence from Bri and Morgan.
O
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
2400 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH EIGHTH STREET
NEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402
�? TELEPHONE (612) 334 -8400
FACSIMILE (612) 334 -8650
WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL
WRITER'S E -MAIL
February 28, 2003
Ms. Judy Holst
Oak Park Heights City Hall
P.O. Box 2007
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 -2007
Mr. Mark Meyer
Presbyterian Homes of Minnesota
2485 Hamline Avenue North, Suite 200
Roseville, MN 55113
Mr. Bradley D. Wirt
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc.
800 Nicollet Mail
J1012019
Minneapolis, MN 55402-7020
Re: City of oak Park Heights, Minnesota $19,985,000 Tax Loan
Participations, Series 2003A and 2003B (Boutwells Landing /McKean
Square Project)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have been asked to serve as Bond Counsel for a proposed issue of housing revenue
bonds in the form of loan participations (the "Bonds ") of the City of oak Park Heights (the
"Issuer ") to be privately placed with financial institutions by US Bancorp Piper Jaffray, Inc. (the
"Placement Agent "). The proceeds of the Bonds will be loaned by the Issuer to VSSA McKean
Square, LLC (the "Company ") and used to refund certain tax - exempt debt issued by the Issuer in
2002 to finance a portion of the costs of the construction and equipping of a 1,50 -unit elderly
rental housing development located adjacent to the Company's existing Iacility' at 5 600 Norwich
Parkway in oak Park Heights and known as McKean Square (the "Project ").
In performing our services as Bond Counsel, our client will be the Issuer. our principal
responsibility as Bond Counsel is to provide the Issuer, the Company and the Placement Agent
an expert opinion (the "Bond opinion "), upon which each of them and the holders of the Bonds
may rely, as to (1) the validity and enforceability of the Bonds and the Issuer's obligations under
the financing documents, and (ii) exemption of interest on the Bonds from federal and Minnesota
income taxes. We will also assume principal responsibility for drafting the financing documents
and any security documents agreed to by the parties.
As Bond Counsel, we do not expect to give any opinion with respect to the Company's
participation in the financing or the status of title or the priority of any mortgage lien or security
15053 I9v 1 SAINT PAUL OFFICE a FIRST NATIONAL BAND BUILDING u UTWWBRIGGS.COM
MEMBER ---- LEh MUNDI, A GLOBAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT LAW FIRMS
Ms. Judith Hoist
Mr. Mark Meyer
Mr. Bradley D. Wirt
February 28, 2003
Page 2
interest securing the Bonds. As to these and other matters the parties will be relying upon the
opinion to be given by counsel for the Company or upon a policy of title insurance.
The Bond Counsel opinion will be executed and delivered by us in written form on the
date the Bonds are delivered to the Placement Agent and will be based on facts and law existing
as of that date. Upon delivery of the Bond opinion, our responsibilities as Bond Counsel will be
concluded with respect to this financing.
In rendering the Bond opinion, we will rely upon representations of the Issuer, the
Company and the Placement Agent set forth in the financing documents, the certified
proceedings, and other certifications of public officials, officials of the Company and other
persons (including certifications as to the use of Bond proceeds and various tax matters) without
undertaking to verify the same by independent investigation. As Bond Counsel, we do not
review the financial condition of the Company or the financial feasibility of the financing, and
we will express no opinion relating to the foregoing.
We wish to point out to the parties that while the Placement Agent has engaged separate
counsel for this transaction, we have represented the Placement Agent from time to time in the
past on legal matters unrelated to the present financing and may do so in the future. While these
unrelated representations may be "adverse" under applicable ethics rules, this letter will confirm
our understanding that the parties are agreeable to our acting as Bond Counsel in this proposed
financing notwithstanding our representation of the Placement Agent on unrelated matters. If
our understanding is not correct, please contact us.
We understand that the Company will be responsible for payment of our fees and
disbursements as Bond Counsel. Based upon: (i) our current understanding of the terms,
structure, size and schedule of the financing represented by the Bonds; (ii) the time we anticipate
de Y oting to the finaplcinor, we estimate that our fee as Bond Counsel for this transaction will be in
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the range of $40,000 including disbursements. Such fee may vary; (i) if the principal amount of
Bonds actually issued differs significantly from the amount stated above, (ii) if the manner in
which the Bonds are marketed changes, (iii) if material changes in the structure of the financing
occur, or (iv) if unusual or unforeseen circumstances arise which require a significant increase in
our time or responsibility. If Bonds are in fact issued we will submit our statements for services
and disbursements to the Company at or promptly after the closing.
If the transaction is cancelled before closing for whatever reason, we would then submit
our bill to the Company for the time expended and disbursements made by us to the date of
termination at our standard hourly rates.
I505319vl
Ms. Judith Holst
Mr. Mark Meyer
Mr. Bradley D. Wirt
February 28, 2003
Page 3
If the foregoing omits or misstates any item, please contact me. otherwise, we will
assume our participation as Bond Counsel and the scope of our engagement as Bond Counsel are
acceptable to you. we are pleased to be working on this matter and look forward to bringing it
to a successful conclusion..
Very truly yours,
Professional Association
1 5053190