4.1. DRAFT MINUTES (3 SETS) 05-06-2019
Special Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 1, 2019
Members Present: Vice-Chair Denny Chuba, Commissioners Michelle Eder and Louise Kuester
Members Absent: Chair Larry Toth and Commissioner Nate Ovall
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Sr. Administrative
Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green
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 4:36 p.m. by Vice-Chair Chuba.
2. Main and Gates Redevelopment Project
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She outlined the project area, budget, current
inventory, and properties left to acquire. She asked the commission to discuss next steps
including whether or not the sites should be demolished and shovel-ready for a developer.
Ms. Othoudt discussed the acquired homes were in disrepair and uninhabitable. They would
be ready for demolition.
Commissioner Eder suggested receiving at least two more demolition quotes to compare
services and costs. She stated some quotes may include removal services that other
companies don’t offer.
Ms. Othoudt discussed the owner of 420 Main St. is a willing seller and one of the most
critical properties to obtain. She indicated in order to discuss this topic further, a closed
session to discuss pursuing a sale price for this property and the remaining two properties
would need to occur.
Commissioner Eder supported a closed session to discuss acquiring the properties and felt
perhaps the other properties would be more receptive to selling.
The commission discussed demolition and who should pay for the costs of demolition. Ms.
Othoudt discussed establishing a TIF district to reimburse city for cost of demolition. She
outlined the process for this by obtaining a blight analysis on all seven properties and
discussed the quote from LHB included in the packet. Preliminary costs to demo the HRA
acquired properties was estimated at $74,510.
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April 1, 2019
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Vice-Chair Chuba asked about the effect of future changes to the Main/Hwy. 10/Hwy. 169
redesign and felt those changes would make this a more valuable property.
Ms. Othoudt felt it would take another six to eight months before a preliminary plan would
be released by MnDOT.
Commissioner Eder suggested Ms. Othoudt share with the affected property owners the
city’s plans and that Ms. Othoudt should have a conversation with them and 420 Main
before the closed session.
Ms. Othoudt discussed preliminary marketing to potential developers and would be looked
at again in the future as they weren’t at this stage yet.
Commissioner Eder suggested hosting an informational session to promote the site to local
developers, noting it makes sense to have a local developer take on this site vs. someone
from outside the community or state.
The commission discussed the C2 - Business Mixed Use zoning and reviewed the ordinance
on what was allowed in this zone.
It was the consensus of the HRA to have Ms. Othoudt schedule a closed meeting for the
discussion of acquiring the remaining three properties. The HRA also requested obtaining
two additional demolition quotes for the currently obtained properties, and were in support
of creating a shovel-ready site for a future developer. Ms. Othoudt would contact the
affected properties before the closed session to discuss the future plans for this area.
3. Adjournment
Vice-Chair Chuba adjourned the meeting at 5:05 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
_____________________
Larry Toth, Chair
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Regular Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 1, 2019
Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Michelle Eder, and Louise
Kuester
Members Absent: Commissioner Nate Ovall
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Sr. Administrative
Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green
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 5:31 p.m. by Chair Toth.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider April 1, 2019 Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Eder to approve
the April 1, 2019, HRA agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Kuester to approve
the April 1, 2019, consent agenda as follows:
4.1 March 4, 2019, Regular Meeting Minutes.
4.2 Check Register.
4.3 Balance Sheet.
4.4 Revenue/Expenditure Report.
Motion carried 4-0.
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April 1, 2019
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5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
7.1 Amended Mortgage and Repayment Agreement for Kyle and Jennifer Torfin
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Motion by Commissioner Kuester and seconded by Commissioner Eder to approve
Resolution 19-01 approving the Amended Mortgage and Repayment Agreement for
Kyle and Jennifer Torfin as outlined in the staff report with the condition that all
mortgages documents are executed by staff or counsel and all mortgage documents
are recorded.
Motion carried 4-0.
7.2 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Commissioner Eder asked if the past loan provider allowed for online payments and have
any of the homeowners taken advantage of this new ability to make online payments.
Ms. Othoudt stated in the past, online payments were not an option to homeowners. She
noted some have already signed up for this new online access and set up ACH payments.
Chair Toth asked about the two delinquent accounts.
Ms. Othoudt stated they were working with both parties to bring their loans current.
7.3 Consider the Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan for the City of Elk
River
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Chair Toth asked questions regarding the map.
Ms. Othoudt stated the black outline on the map shows the Urban Services District, noting a
few properties within this district do not have city sewer and water services.
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April 1, 2019
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Motion by Commissioner Eder and seconded by Commissioner Kuester to approve
the Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan for the City of Elk River as outlined
in the staff report.
Motion carried 4-0.
7.4 Downtown Permanent Fixtures Update
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Chair Toth asked if the plan was that city staff would be in charge of watering the planters.
Ms. Othoudt stated the plan that was discussed in the downtown group was that city staff
would be in charge of the watering and maintenance responsibility; however, the plan hasn’t
been finalized and details regarding financial and personnel resources for plant watering still
need to be discussed.
Chair Toth asked if the council has approved a budget and if not, could they add additional
funds to cover staff time for watering and maintenance of the planters.
Ms. Othoudt indicated they had not. She indicated this was more about if the HRA felt the
request to purchase 24 basket hangers and 22 banner arms was in line with the Downtown
Permanent Fixtures Policy.
Commissioner Chuba asked about the light replacements.
Ms. Othoudt stated they are testing out a specific light fixture near The Bank of Elk River.
Commissioner Chuba asked about the banners and if they were permanent or rotating, and
who would be providing them.
Ms. Othoudt explained the banners are rotating and similar to the Highway 10 banners the
city designs and hangs. She wasn’t sure if outside groups would have access to designing
banners for their own use and further discussion would have to be had to determine the
banners and their usage. She explained they discussed the Downtown Association’s
contributions towards these items and their proposed 2020 purchase that would include
flower baskets and flowers.
Commissioner Eder stated she likes the idea of flowers in planters but before the HRA
decides to approve the purchase of the basket hangers, they need to know who’s paying for
the flowers and who will maintain, water, and commit to the care and upkeep of them as
well as a backup plan if fundraising isn’t fulfilled. She stated there’s nothing worse than
empty or non-maintained flower baskets and feels the HRA needs more solid information
before spending the $5000.
Ms. Othoudt stated it’s up to the HRA how to use these dollars if they require more
information before making a purchasing decision.
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Commissioner Chuba concurred.
It was the consensus of the HRA to request more information from the Downtown Group
regarding the purchase and maintenance of the flowers. Ms. Othoudt will bring back
information to the HRA at a future meeting.
8. Adjournment
Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
_____________________
Larry Toth, Chair
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Closed Meeting of the
Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at Elk River City Hall
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Michelle Eder, and Louise
Kuester
Members Absent: Commissioner Nate Ovall
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt and Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy
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 2:02 p.m. by Chair Toth.
2. Closed Meeting
The HRA held a closed meeting per MN Statute 13D.05., Subd. 3(c)(3) (the “Act”).
The purpose of the meeting was to develop or consider offer or counteroffers for the
purchase or sale of real or personal property”. The properties being discussed are:
rd
PID# 75-401-0110, also known as 425 3 Street NW, Elk River
PID# 75-401-0140, also known as 420 Main Street NW, Elk River
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 2:45 p.m.
Larry Toth, Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk