05-06-2013 HRA MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
• MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013
Members Present: Chair Wilson,Commissioners Chuba,Kuester,and Motin
Members Absent: Commissioner Toth
Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Suzanne Fischer,Assistant Director of
Economic Development Clay Wilfahrt,and Recording Secretary Debbie
Huebner
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 May 6.2013 HRA Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE MAY 2,2013 HRA AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
Commissioner Chuba arrived at 5:31 p.m.
• 3. Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1 MARCH 3,2013 HRA MINUTES
3.2 CHECK REGISTER
3.3 BALANCE SHEET
3.4 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT
3.5 APPOINT BRIAN BEEMAN AS THE HRA DIRECTOR
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
4. Open Forum—No one appeared for Open Forum.
5. Discuss IIRA Housing Goals
Mr. Beeman presented the staff report.
Commissioner Kuester referred to the Housing Study and noted the 55 to 64 age group is
expected to grow the most.
Commission Wilson stated a constituent asked to see more rehabilitation projects or some
type of lending program for detiorating homes in the core area of Elk River.He further
110 suggested a program for homes in foreclosure in order to assist with repairs and make them
more marketable. He referred to a program offered by the City of Coon Rapids.
Housing&Redevelopment Authority Page 2
May 6,2013
Commission Kuester suggested stepping up code enforcement measures to negate code
1111 violations.
Commissioner Motin suggested focusing on blight avoidance,whether a property is owner
occupied or not. He stated he is not in favor of the city buying properties but open to
offering low interest loans to fix them up.
Commissioner Motin stated he has issues with the Housing Study and stated that rather than
determining housing needs,given our future,it seems the Study is geared more to the
mentality of"if you build it now,they will come,"and it suggested having higher density for
what could be quick sales.
Commissioner Chuba further suggested an evaluation of some properties to determine if it
makes sense to save;or tear them down and sell the lot.
Commissioner Motin stated he voted against the Downtown Task Force Plan because it
recommended establishing a preservation area. He expressed concerns with costs to restore
a building when it might be more beneficial to allow more significant changes.
Commissioner Chuba stated a lot of the structures downtown are not historically significant
and it would make more sense to update and blend them into the downtown.
Commissioner Kuester questioned if there was any possibility of a role in redevelopment of
commercial properties. She suggested converting some areas that are currently housing
districts into commercial districts,such as on Proctor Avenue.
Commissioner Chuba stated it may be more suitable to create a quasi-industrial zoning •
district due to noise.
Commission Wilson stated he had read that there seems to be more demand for housing for
the baby boom generation and how they want to move from single-family residential to
condos and townhomes.
6. Other Business
There was no other business
7. Adjournment
There being no other business, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting.
meeting • '+- Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Ls"'
Tina Allard
City Clerk
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ewart s/,
Chair,Housing and Redevelopment Authority •