4.1. HRA DRAFT MINUTES 05-07-2018 City of
Elk Regular Meeting of the Elk River
River Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 2, 2018
Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Michelle Eder,Louise
Knester, and Nate Ovall
Members Absent: None
�d,
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy and Sr. Administrative
Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green
Also Present: Mikaela Huot, Springsted Incorporated
I. 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 5:32 p.m. by Chair Toth.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider 04/02/2018 Ager,, a,,
Ms. Othoudt distributed the staff report and requested item 4.5 Bylaws Amendments be
added to the Consent Agenda.
**Motion by Commissioner Eder and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to approve the
April 2, 2018, HRA agenda with the addition of item 4.5 Bylaws Amendments.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Kuester to approve
the April 2, 2018, consent agenda as follows:
4.1 March 5, 2018, regular and closed meeting minutes.
4.2 Check Register.
4.3 Balance Sheet.
4.4 Revenues and Expenditures report.
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4.5 Bylaws Amendments as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 5-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
7.1 Housing Study Report
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Chair Toth commented that the vacancy rate is almost zero in all areas. He asked if the
demand being shown as an increase is a realistic,number.
Ms. Othoudt explained how the study calculates demand for each type of property and the
study indicates senior and assisted living housing demand will be met by these properties
created and very little will be needed by 2022.
Commissioner Ovall asked if she's he d from local builders and developers as to why the
demand is not increasing,is it the sch661 district, amenities, access to utilities. He also asked
if transportation on Highways 10/169 was a factor.
Ms. Othoudt stated school districts and community amenities are always highly considered
when building in a city. She indicated property taxes aren't typically something that keeps
developers away=but they are factored. She stated transportation could also possibly be a
factor.
4111111111",�,Commissioner Ovall asked if Commissioner Eder would provide insight in her experience in
nstruction industry.
Commissioner Eder stated there are more developments available in Elk River and a higher
demand for them. She indicated many customers are building in the school district they want
their children attend. She said there's a lot of talk of whether or not Elk River will lower the
requirement to allow lots in size of less than 2.5 acres lots that don't require city water and
septic. She stated people really want the acreage and there's so much land where there aren't
city utilities.
Commissioner Chuba asked how Ms. Othoudt felt about the report.
She stated developers are already contacting the city showing interest after seeing this report.
She felt overall it was a good report and found a few minor mistakes in the report to fix.
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Commissioner Ovall stated he felt this report was overall tame and no areas were requiring
immediate attention.
Ms. Othoudt stated the report really indicated the need for single family and market rate
housing but those needs seem attainable and all areas in need seem manageable. The report
doesn't identify those residential properties that are naturally occurring and affordable and so
the numbers seem a little skewed because of that so that was something to keep in mind.
Chair Toth asked about the comp plan and how this follows.
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Ms. Othoudt explained the Mississippi Connections and Comprehensive plans don't identify
certain types of housing,which is why there is a need for a report like this, and both plans
are being implemented together.
7.2 Rehab Loan Report
Ms. Eddy presented the staff report.
7.3 Director Update
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Chair Toth recessed the meeting to go into work session at 6:12 p.m. The meeting was
reconvened at 6:15 p.m.
8.1 Update on Downtown Redevelopment Meeting
Ms. Othoudt presented the sfa report. She requested feedback from the HRA on the next
steps in considering redevelopment of downtown area as outlined in the staff report,the
steps to take to include securing site control and distributing requests for proposals, and the
financial commitment of the HRA and the city. Ms. Huot was present to assist in facilitating
the discussion.
The HRA discussed the goal of creating a larger tax base in the downtown area and a tool in
doing so would be the possibility of creating a TIF district;part of that would require the
consideration of the two buildings located in the identified area qualifying as sub-standard
buildings. Ms. Othoudt discussed the negotiation process by using option agreements with
the sellers as the best way to minimize risk and cost to the city and HRA.
Ms. Huot explained the process of doing a "windshield" survey of the sub-standard
buildings within the next 2 weeks to a month to determine the next step in this process.
Commissioner Ovall asked questions regarding the redevelopment process and concerns
with parking and the businesses in the downtown area having feedback and input during the
reconstruction time. He stated he isn't at full conclusion at the moment but was interested in
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continuing to explore the next steps. Commissioner Ovall left the meeting to attend the City
Council meeting (6:34 p.m.)
The HRA discussed parking concerns. Ms. Othoudt distributed a handout outlining the
parking lots in the downtown area, and the areas of parking that will need to be sustained.
She emphasized the redevelopment will require that additional parking be constructed to
meet the needs of existing and new development.
Ms. Huot explained the HRA committing to using this process as a tool to redevelopment
and explained there will be some need for public participation when discussing this and if
there's an appetite for that from the public.
It was the consensus of the HRA to proceed with allowing LH t6 survey and inspect the
properties in the downtown area and bring that information back to the HRA and City
Council to determine the next steps in this redevelopment process.
9. Adjournment
Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Larry Toth, Chair
Housing., edevelopment uthority