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BEMIDJI — The Bemidji City Council is set to discuss two community developments at its meeting tonight including a transit pilot for the Conifer Estates and Villas to improve transportation access, and discuss tax-exempt financing to assist TrekNorth in purchasing its building.

Tammi Hagen, the mobility manager from the Headwaters Regional Development Center, will present details the public transit pilot program called Conifer Transit: A Route to New Opportunities.

This yearlong pilot aims to provide on-demand transit exclusively to the Conifer Estates and Villas Community, starting Oct. 1.

The idea for the project stemmed from conversations between the Red Lake Shelter Program and Oshkiimaajitadah during a Lunch & Learn. They learned that while public transit was appreciated, it often wasn't available when needed, and alternatives like taxis were too expensive.

Conifer Transit, in partnership with several organizations, will aim to gather rider data to help secure future funding and potentially expand the program to include other communities, such as the Ridgeway Court Apartments.

In another key agenda item, is working toward purchasing the building where the school is located.

First National Bank Bemidji will provide financing, but in an effort to save on interest costs, the bank is seeking tax-exempt financing with the City of Wilton's assistance.

Because TrekNorth is located within Bemidji city limits, the council must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution granting "host consent" for the tax-exempt status.

Host consent is the formal approval required from the local government (Bemidji) to allow another entity (Wilton) to issue tax-exempt bonds for a project within the city's jurisdiction. This process will help TrekNorth reduce interest costs on its building purchase.

The hearing is expected to be set for Sept. 3.

The council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. tonight, Aug. 19, at City Hall. The meeting can also be viewed on the city website,