3.1 HR MIN 01-07-2013 MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY,JANUARY 7, 20I3
Members Present: Chair Wilson,Commissioners Chuba,Kuester,Motin and Toth
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Annie Deckert;Assistant Director of
Economic Development Clay Wilfahrt and Recording Secretary Debbie
Huebner
Also Present: City Administrator Cal Portner,Finance Director Tim Simon,Community
Operations and Development Director Suzanne Fischer
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 January 7,2013 HRA Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
KUESTER TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 7,2013 HRA AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Denny Chuba read the Oath of Office at this time.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1 DECEMBER 3,2012 HRA MINUTES
3.2 CHECK REGISTER
3.5 DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
3.6 DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES
3.7 APPOINTMENT INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Chair Wilson introduced Suzanne Fischer,new Community Operations and Development
Director at this time.
4. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum
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January 7,2013
5. Recognition of New Commissioner—Denny Chuba—Verbal
Chair Wilson recognized Denny Chuba as a new commissioner,filling the vacancy created
by Jean Lieser.
6. Annual Meeting Election of Officers
COMMISSIONER TOTH MOVED TO NOMINATE STEWART WILSON TO
SERVE AS CHAIR. MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER.
Commissioner Motin questioned if Stewart Wilson is appointed to the Council,would two
Councilmembers be allowed to serve on the HRA.
Ms.Deckert stated that staff is researching documents establishing the HRA. She noted that
to date,nothing in the bylaws has been found to prevent two councilmembers from serving
on the 1-RA. She stated that staff will continue to research the issue,and recommended that
the HRA conduct elections at this time and new elections could be held if necessary.
Commissioner Motin asked if Stewart Wilson is elected HRA Chair,and is later appointed to
the Council,would he need to step down as Chair of the HRA,and would the Vice Chair
become the Chair? Also,then would become the Vice Chair?
Chair Wilson stated that he also brought this issue up to staff.
Commissioner Wilson stated that he also brought this issue up to staff and they are
researching the by-laws. Staff was advised that Commissioner Wilson can be elected Chair
at this time,and the issue can be revisited if he is appointed to serve on the City Council.
COMMISSIONER MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO ADD THE
FOLLOWING LANGUAGE:
IF CHAIR WILSON IS APPOINTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL,AND HE IS
REQUIRED TO RESIGN FROM THE HRA, ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD AT
THAT TIME. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO NOMINATE LARRY TOTH TO
SERVE AS VICE CHAIR. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHUBA.
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO NOMINATE LOUISE KUESTER TO
SERVE AS SECRETARY. MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH.
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
7. Approve 2013-2016 Economic Development Strategic Plan
Ms.Deckert reviewed recommendations of the I-RA at last month's meeting,including:
• Pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the Transportation goal
• Modify Industrial Development to Business Development and include both
Industrial and Commercial Strategies;add business recruitment under
"Commercial"
Housing&Redevelopment Authority Page 3
January 7,2013
• Include Restaurant Marketing in plan
• Ms.Deckert explained that the Transportation Plan will be updated in 2014 and
address pedestrian and bicycle traffic,as will the proposed Park and Recreation plan.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MOTIN. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
8. Realtor's Forum Participation Feedback Summary
Clay Wilfahrt stated that the city partnered with the St.Paul Area Association of
Realtors(SPAAR) to host the first Elk River Realtors Forum on August 8,2012,with 20
realtors in attendance. He reviewed topics covered in the forum,results of the survey
completed by the attendees,and plans for an event on August 14,2013. Topics to be
covered include permitting,inspections,zoning,land use,and where to find more
information about the city.
9. Social Media Overview Presentation—Economic Development Initiatives
Mr.Wilfahrt reviewed the social media outlets used by the Economic Development Division
including Facebook,Twitter,and www.poweredbynature.blog.com and explained how
information is gathered. He further explained that the information is used to design content
for their marketing.
10. Other Business
Commissioner Kuester stated concerns regarding an article in the Star Tribune regarding
contract for deed inspections. The Commissioners discussed the issue. Mr.Wilfahrt noted
that he did receive an email from one of the housing agencies warning of unscrupulous
practices in some contract for deed transactions. The Commission noted that contract for
deed is a good financial vehicle for buying a home when the buyer cannot qualify under
traditional loan options,but that buyers need to be aware and use common sense.
Chair Wilson noted that Annie Deckert will be leaving her position as Director of Economic
Development to purse working in the private sector...
11. Adjournment
There being no other business,Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting.
The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner.
Tina Allard
City Clerk
Stewart Wilson
Chair,Housing&Redevelopment Authority