Loading...
11-01-2010 HRA MIN® MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER I, 2010 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser, Moon and Toth Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Economic Development Assistant Annie Deckert, Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Also Present: Jeff Engle, Keller Williams Realty 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Wilson. 2. Consider November 1, 2010 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY • COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 1, 2010 HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda Commissioner Toth asked for clarification on the billing for 720 Main Street for natural gas usage. Ms. Mehelich explained. Commissioner Lieser stated that she was listed as absent on the September 7, 2010 HRA minutes. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 HRA REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - AS AMENDED 3.2. SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 HRA WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES 3.3. CHECK REGISTER 3.4. BALANCE SHEET 3.5. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT • MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Housing & Redevelopment authority November 1, 2010 4. Open Mike -Jeff Engle, Keller Williams Realty Mr. Engle explained that a free community foreclosure forum will be held on Saturday, November 20~ from gam to 11am. He noted that Ms. Deckert has been invited to speak at the forum to discuss the city's foreclosure initiatives and strategies. Mr. Engle stated that he handles vacant homes for bankers. He indicated that he has approximately 150 homes that axe not listed that he is currently "babysitting". Mr. Engle stated that nationally, there are approximately 1 in 7 mortgages in distress. He noted that these numbers vary in the polls from 1 in 4, to 1 in 10. Mr. Engle explained that he is a Certified Distressed Property Management (CDPM) agent He reviewed topics to be discussed at the forum. Mr. Engle also reviewed issues associated with foreclosures and how a successful short sale will impact a homeowner's financial future. Mr. Engle stated that an informative video is available on the Internet at foreclosureinfomn.com. Discussion followed regarding advertising for the forum. Commissioner Lieser suggested that flyers could be inserted in bags at local grocery stores. Mr. Engle stated he doesn't have funds for a lot of printing, so he would appreciate any assistance they may be willing to provide. Discuss City_Vision and Goals Ms. Johnson reviewed her memo regarding the Elk River Vision and Goals developed by the staff management team. She noted that the City Council adopted the vision and goals at their October 18, 2010 meeting with minor revisions to three of the four goals. Ms. Johnson reviewed the vision statement and each of the four goals supporting the vision. She explained that staff will begin to formulate action steps to achieve the goals. Ms. Mehelich stated that the HRA is asked to review and discuss ways to assist in facilitating the goals, such as housing and redevelopment. She added that the HRA is not expected to come up with a plan tonight, but rather, to offer ideas. Ms. Johnson noted that the goals will be on-going and will continue to change and be realigned as necessary. Commissioner Kuester asked if any action steps have been established yet. Ms. Johnson stated not yet, but that ideas have been suggested for youth activities and establishing a "community" day. Commissioner Motin stated that he would like to include streetscapes, redevelopment possibilities, and entrances to the city. Commissioner Lieser suggested that the Community Development goal could include opportunities to get tenants in the Bluffs and Jackson Square commercial spaces, such as rent subsidies. Commissioner Toth stated he did not feel there was much that could be done regarding the "historic river" due to the way it was developed. Commissioner Moon stated that he would like to see something done on the river, and a riverwalk is being looked at. He stated that unfortunately the existing buildings are not conducive to the type of riverwalk found in other cities, such as Stillwater. Commissioner Toth stated that he had concerns about allowing uses not compatible with certain businesses, such as the proposed Spectrum School site in Elk River Business Park. Page 2 s • Housing & Redevelopment Authority November 1, 2010 Chair Wilson concurred, stating that the purpose of a vision is for long-term benefit. Commissioner Toth stated that he felt the precedent has already been started by allowing the dance school. Commissioner Kuester suggested an action to enhance community involvement and public participation could be to find a way to involve teachers and students in how local government works. Ms. Mehelich stated that the HRA's 2010 goals include continuing foreclosure initiatives, marketing housing resources, energy assistance, resuming the downtown study process, looking at blighted homes, reviewing the housing stock inventory, etc. She noted that these goals are in line with the goals supporting the vision. Commissioner Kuester asked if there are more housing rentals in the city. Ms. Mehelich stated yes. She explained that the city has implemented a voluntary rental license with no fee. Ms. Johnson noted that this issue will be discussed at an upcoming worksession. Chair Stewart suggested that future housing need to be studied, and that there may be changes coming due to the aging of the baby boomers. Ms. Mehelich stated that she would anticipate an update in the housing market. She noted that Brooklyn Park have been coming up with innovative ideas, such as re-designing older bungalow homes. Other ideas such as a landscaping award program, and beautification program which • rewarded residents were discussed. Ms. Mehelich stated that a number of good ideas have been suggested and the discussion will be brought back to the HRA in a couple of months. 6. Other Business Ms. Mehelich briefly discussed the Informational Memo regarding MN Historic Structure Rehab Tax Credit. Commissioner Toth asked if there was any interest from the downtown business owners. Ms. Mehelich stated that the credit was just adopted by the legislature. She noted that the new pizzeria was not eligible since the program wasn't ready for implementation by the state and didn't meet his time frame for the project. The owner also wanted to make more modifications to the building than would be allowed under the program. Commissioner Toth asked if restoration of original facades would be eligible. Ms. Mehelich stated that there would be financing available for that. It was the consensus of the HRA to meet jointly with the Heritage Preservation Commission on a regular HRA meeting night. Ms. Mehelich stated that the downtown property owners would be invited to attend. Ms. Johnson noted that the HPC is proposing to apply for a grant for the old water tower. Adjournment There being no other business, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting. Page 3 The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:35 p.m. t Housing & Redevelopment Authority November 1, 2010 Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner. r~ Tina Allard City Cler µ ... _.,._ _ ~ , r `-Stewart Wilson Chair, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Page 4 • •