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07-29-2002 HR MIN SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER • HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JULY 29, 2002 Members Present: Chair Toth, Commissioners Motin,Thompson and Wilson Members Absent: Commissioner Lieser Councilmembers Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz,Tveite, Motin and Kuester Staff Present: Catherine Mehelich-Executive Director,Heidi Hall-Economic Development Assistant,Michele McPherson -Director of Planning,Chris Leeseberg-Planner and Steve Rohlf-Building& Zoning Administrator 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 5:00 p.m. by Chair Toth. 2. Consider July 29, 2002 HRA Agenda • COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 29,2002, HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. JUNE 24,2002 HRA MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.4. BALANCE SHEET COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. • HRA Minutes Page 2 July 29,2002 i 5. Housing Rehabilitation Programs Economic Development Assistant Heidi Hall reported on research completed by staff regarding other communities'housing rehabilitation programs. Chair Toth expressed interest in how other communities initiated their programs. Commissioner Motin inquired of the average net cost of running a program similar to Fridley's Housing Replacement Program, and expressed concern that the HRA might have problems funding a housing program at this time. Director of Planning,Michele McPherson stated she was employed for 12 years by the City of Fridley. Ms. McPherson explained that a basic analysis of Fridley's housing stock led city leaders to believe that Fridley was in need of a housing rehabilitation program. Chair Toth stated that the City of Elk River should not"reinvent the wheel"when initiating a housing program,rather look to other communities that have existing housing programs. 6. Joint Meeting with the City Council-Affordable Housing Update Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich indicated that the developer who had proposed the Jackson Ave. apartment project had withdrawn from the project. Ms. Mehelich reported that staff met with the City's financial advisors,Ehlers and Associates, regarding potential financing mechanisms for affordable housing projects. Ms. Mehelich indicated that Ehlers suggested that it might be more workable for the city to consider • financing options for single-family affordable housing initiatives because of the complexities and staff time required for multi-family projects. Ehlers also suggested that the City consider developing a program that would remove substandard homes to be replaced by new homes. Ms.Mehelich indicated that staff would be working with the Planning Department to conduct a detailed analysis of the city's housing stock after the GIS system is up and running. • Mayor Klinzing indicated that the housing stock in Elk River appears to be aging and that some homes appear to be slightly blighted. Mayor Klinzing agreed that the first step in initiating a housing program is for staff to complete an inventory of Elk River's existing housing stock. Ms. Mehelich stated that following the inventory staff will consider specific programs that may be initiated in the City of Elk River and attach some dollar amounts to those programs for further discussion by the HRA. Mayor Klinzing mentioned that there are housing programs that can be utilized by communities without the local government's involvement. Ms. Mehelich agreed and added that the City of Elk River could be a resource in those instances. 7. Downtown Revitalization Project 7.1 Consider Acceptance of Context Study • Building& Zoning Administrator Steve Rohlf indicated that staff is requesting the HRA and City Council consider acceptance of the study in accordance to revisions HRA Minutes Page 3 July 29,2002 • made by Carole Zellie of Landscape Research. Mr. Rohlf indicated that Ms. Zellie completed the study and fulfilled its purpose to provide a framework to evaluate the historic significance of inventoried properties and the completion of the Phase II inventory of downtown properties. Mr. Rohlf added that it is the Heritage Preservation Commission's job to analyze the local significance of buildings located in Elk River and that the Commission will be providing a recommendation as outlined in the ordinance. COMMISSIONER MOTION MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HISTORIC CONTEXT STUDY AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 7.2 Feedback from July 17, 2002 Public Open House Catherine Mehelich indicated that approximately 50 people attended the Developer Open House,which provided the public with the opportunity to meet the three developers being interviewed by the HRA for the Downtown Revitalization Project. Ms. Mehelich stated that the public was also able to review the developers concepts, ask questions of the developers and provide feedback to the HRA and Council regarding likes,dislikes,and issues of concern. Ms. Mehelich reported that fifteen public comment forms were completed and submitted to the HRA and Council for review. 7.3 Developer Interviews • On June 24,2002 the HRA selected three finalist developers to interview for the Downtown Revitalization Project. The finalists,TOLD Development Company, Best and Hempel,and MetroPlains were each allotted 45 minutes to provide the HRA and Council with a 20-minute presentation and a 25-minute question and answer session. The HRA and Council provided staff with input on the prepared questions regarding the developers'experience in financing and designing similar projects. Jim Prosser of Ehlers and Associates provided six points for the HRA and Council to consider when selecting a developer. First, each member of the HRA and Council should reflect upon what is important to him or herself personally, regarding the future of the downtown and to select a developer who is able to achieve those important items. Second,recognize that there is no perfect developer. Third,remember that any redevelopment activity requires a relationship between the community and the developer. Fourth, embrace the complexity of redevelopment. Fifth,work to achieve a consensus between the HRA and Council and sixth,reflect upon the interviews. Following the interviews,it was the consensus of the HRA to select a developer for the Downtown Revitalization Project at its August 26, 2002 regular meeting. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING FOR AUGUST 26,2002 AT 5:00 P.M. FOR PURPOSE OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO ATTEND THE HRA MEETING REGARDING S SELECTION OF A DEVELOPER. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. HRA Minutes Page 4 July 29,2002 • 8. Adjournment There being no other business, COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Heidi Hall Economic Development Assistant • •