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12-06-2016 HRA MIN iik ::: ::ity f Meeting of the Elk River River Housing and Redevelopment Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, December 5, 2016 Members Present: Chair Toth,Commissioners Burandt,Chuba,Eder and Kuester Members Absent: None Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt and Recording Secretary/Sr.Administrative Assistant Debbie Huebner Also Present: Ed Zimny,Central Minnesota Housing Partnership;Fred McCoy and Councilmember Jennifer Wagner,Representative for the Downtown River's Edge Group 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 Toth. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider 12/5/16 Agenda Moved by Commissioner Eder and seconded by Commissioner Kuester to approve the December 5,2016,agenda. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Consent Agenda Moved by Commissioner Eder and seconded by Commissioner Burandt to approve the consent agenda,as follows: 4.1 November 7,2016,Regular Meeting Minutes 4.2 Check Register 4.3 Balance Sheet 4.4 Revenue/Expenditure Report Motion carried 4-0. � 5. Open Forum Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2 December 5,2016 No one appeared for Open Forum. 6.1 Public Hearings There were no public hearings. 7.1 HRA Rehabilitation Loan Program Update Ms. Othoudt provided an update on the HRA Loan Program. She noted there have been no calls due to the holidays and the winter construction slow down. 7.2 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Discussion Ms. Othoudt reviewed the staff report,explaining the changes made in the loan program language,targeted area,and revised mortgage and repayment agreement. Motion by Commissioner Eder and seconded by Commissioner Chuba to approve the proposed language changes in the Mortgage and Repayment Agreement. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Commissioner Burandt and seconded by Commissioner Eder to approve the proposed changes to the targeted area map for the HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. Motion carried 5-0. 7.3 Administrative Agreement between HRA and Central Minnesota Housing Partnership (CMHP) Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She explained that the HRA is asked to approve the new contract between the HRA and CMHP to administer the HRA housing program. She noted that the contract language is the same as last years'. Ms. Othoudt stated that Ed Zimny of CMHP was present to answer any questions the HRA may have. Motion by Commissioner Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Kuester to approve the Housing Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation program contract with Central Minnesota Housing Partnership (CMHP) as presented in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. 8. Announcements Commissioner Chuba noted that some of the lights on the poles downtown are not working. Ms. Othoudt noted that the City Council will budget for ongoing maintenance of the lights. She stated that the lights will be removed from the trees due to problems as the trees grow. The strands of lights wind up wrapping too tightly around the trees, and damages the trees. Only the light poles will be wrapped with lights. • The HRA recessed at this time (5:50 p.m.). The HRA moved into a worksession at 5:55 p.m. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 3 December 5,2016 9.1 Worksession— Mississippi Connections Plan Discussion Ms. Othoudt provided background information on the Mississippi Connections Plan and related streetscape improvements along the Main Street corridor. She stated that staff has discussed with the Downtown Rivers Edge group opportunities to utilize the budget funds in making the improvements. She stated that the Downtown River's Edge Group's list of desired streetscape improvements includes:permanent benches in the downtown, flower pots,permanent bike racks,and a mural on the back side of Pompeii Pizza building. Chair Toth suggested a mural could be done on the side of the Elk River Meats building,if the owners were open to it. Ms. Othoudt reviewed options for the benches ranging from$254-$730,depending upon length and number of armrests. Fred McCoy suggested locating a bench by the dental office and by the park area along Main Street,on the east side of downtown. Councilmember/Representative Wagner stated they are proposing brightly colored benches, such as turquoise,orange,pink or yellow. She noted there are five spots where it would make sense to place benches,to start with. She noted that there are a couple in the downtown already. Chair Toth asked who placed the existing benches. Wagner stated that the businesses purchased the benches. Chair Toth stated he felt it might be better for the businesses to buy the benches themselves,if they are going to be in front of their business. Fred McCoy stated that the new benches would not be placed in front of specific businesses, just in good locations for people to congregate. Chair Toth suggested the Downtown group could pool resources to purchase the benches. Wagner stated that not all businesses are members. She asked if the allocated funds were just for 2016,or if there would be an annual implementation in the budget. Ms. Othoudt explained that there is currently an annual allocation for 2017 and$20,000 budgeted for implementing the Mississippi Connections plan,but not specifically for just the downtown. She stated it is the discretion of the HRA how much they are willing to put forward for these improvements. She noted that they should be permanent structures that would help bring people into the downtown area. Commissioner Chuba stated that since not all businesses pay dues,he suggested an artistic element for the bike racks, or adding other types of sculpture. Wagner stated that the hope was to partner with local artists to add an element of art. Commissioner Eder asked who would maintain the flower pots. Wagner stated that the association put money toward enhancing the pots,both for the spring/summer and fall/winter,recently coordinating with Green Valley. She explained that he pots currently in front of businesses where paid for by the businesses themselves. Wagner noted that it was the consensus of the downtown group to use some of the association's funds to enhance the planters,adding value and creating a unified look. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 4 December 5,2016 Commissioner Eder stated the HRA would need to know what the costs are to provide the pots and to maintain them. She stated that if the HRA s going to invest funds, they need to do it right and ensure they will be maintained. Wagner stated that last year, the Master Gardeners maintained the pots. Discussion followed regarding the difficulties with the spruce tips in the pots, due to weather conditions and timing of their delivery. Chair Toth stated that he could see the benefit of contracting out for maintenance. CM Wagner stated that the Downtown group's desire is to have more pots,as they build up membership and funds,the association will be able to contribute more. She noted they are working hard to increase their membership. She stated that they have increased their membership fees in order to do these types of things,but unfortunately, they only have 35 paying members at this time. Discussion followed regarding the scope of the River's Edge Downtown group's target membership area. Mr. McCoy stated they include Elk River Dental to the west,businesses on Railroad Drive,and from the Bank of Elk River to the east along Main Street includes businesses on Jackson and King Avenues. Chair Toth asked what area is included in the Mississippi Connections study area. Ms. Othoudt stated that the study area included the Downtown District, across railroad tracks, all the way to School Street,and nearly reaching Highway 169. Wagner stated that they try very hard to get everyone to participate. She noted that they meetin g at 2:30 on Wednesdays,and that is hard for some entrepreneurs to attend since they may be the one running the daily business. Mr. McCoy noted that they don't have a way to raise money, other than the membership dues from businesses. Further discussion followed regarding the improvements,including benches,bike racks and flower pots. Ms. Othoudt stated that they would not be able to partner with the Arts Alliance as mentioned, since they are no longer in existence. She stated that are look at allocating funds for improvements for the next three years. She stated that staff will work with the downtown group to come up with some solid ideas to bring back to the HRA for approval. Commissioner Chuba asked what has been implemented during the past four years since the Mississippi Connections plan approval. Ms. Othoudt explained that they have implemented the Downtown Rehab program,the downtown lights,and they are currently working on acquiring properties to redevelopment Main Street. Commissioner Eder suggested the group get quotes from nurseries to provide and maintain pots. She stated that if not going to be maintained,it would make no sense spending the money. Chair Toth stated that it was not the HRA's responsibility to get into specifics. He stated the HRA could decide where to spend the money,and how much each year,but that he would --� like the downtown group to come up with a plan,including initial costs and maintenance costs. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 5 December 5,2016 Commissioner Kuester suggested work with the schools to include some art element in the downtown. Commissioner Eder concurred. Commissioner Chuba asked if bike racks were an integral part of this proposal,and if there were any now. Commissioner Eder stated she has seen a lot of people riding bicycles in the downtown. Wagner stated there are a couple of racks,but she did not know how many spots were in them. Mr. McCoy stated there was one by alongside the Depot by the Park, also by the King Avenue parking lot. McCoy also felt there were a lot of people coming through the downtown on bicycle. Commissioner Chuba stated that promoting bike riding would tie in with Energy City. Discussion followed regarding the Ramsey trail along the Mississippi River under construction and the Holdingford trail. Mr. McCoy asked if the idea of a kiosk by Avalon Salon was still under discussion. Ms. Othoudt stated the kiosk was discussed as part of the wayfinding. She noted that they will be sending out the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Wayfinding soon. Ms. Othoudt stated that the wayfinding plan was part of the Mississippi Connections plan. She explained that other components of the plan that have been implemented are the blighted properties program and the rehab loan program for older homes,and are currently looking at redevelopment opportunities. She stated she could summarize what has been done and what is left to be done,and look at funds that have been allocated. Commissioner Eder asked if the Downtown River's Edge group could come back with numbers and more information with what they want to see. Wagner asked who should get the quotes, since Park and Rec might have better resources for benches and pots. City staff was going to look at options and pricing. Ms. Othoudt stated she will be meeting with the association to discuss. Mr. McCoy stated they could look at bids for maintenance of the pots. Ms. Othoudt stated that staff can bring ideas to group at January meeting. She then will bring back to the February or March HRA meeting. She noted that funds will be utilized from the Mississippi Connections allocation. Chair Toth asked if the funding rolls over into their reserve account. Ms. Othoudt stated no,that funds have been budgeted for the year do not roll over to the following year. Mr. McCoy asked that the HRA consider contribution to a dock on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of the Rivers Edge Park. He stated that there are businesses willing to donate. Chair Toth stated that a request for funding and construction of a dock needs to go to the City Council. He stated that the HRA is not funded to allow that type of expenditure. Commissioner Chuba asked what type of dock they are looking at. Mr. McCoy stated that he has been working on this project for 1.5 years, and would propose a dock that was half g p 1 y P p fishing pier and half canoe dock. He explained that the DNR uses MINNCORE to do these Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 6 December 5,2016 types of projects,utilizing the prison system to build projects. He noted that the DNR stated that MNCORE's project last forever. He stated that he and Annie Deckert met with MNCORE and they stated that could build whatever type of dock the city wants. Mr. McCoy stated he felt a dock would be a"crown jewel"in the park. Commissioner Eder stated she would have a concern would be liability issues. Ms. Othoudt stated that a dock has been previously discussed and she could provide past memos and information related to the discussions. Chair Toth added that the dock was not part of the Mississippi Connections plan,just something that was discussed at that time. Ms. Othoudt stated she will include information of the city council discussion. She noted that it was learned that this would be a tough location for a permanent structure due to issues with the river current. She stated that staff has not seen a plan of what the group is looking for. 9.2 Chair Toth Item - Property off 2"d Street, north of Mississippi River Chair Toth stated the vacant property off 2nd Street is in foreclosure. He asked if the HRA had any interest in acquiring the property for redevelopment. Ms. Othoudt stated she would do some research on the property and bring this item back the HRA next month. I 0. Adjournment Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at this time. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner. /// Tina Allard,City Clerk °Mak rrY To ,Chair Housing&Redevelopment Authority