Loading...
09-03-2019 HRA MIN rty lk c Regular Meeting of the Elk River River Housing and Redevelopment Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba,Michelle Eder,Louise Kuester, and Nate Ovall Members Absent: None Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Sr.Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green 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 5:30 p.m. by Chair Toth. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. III3. Consider September 3, 2019, Agenda Motion by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Chuba to approve the September 3,2019, HRA agenda. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Consent Agenda Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Chuba to approve the September 3,2019, consent agenda as follows: 4.1 Minutes • August 5,2019, Special. • August 5,2019, Regular. 4.2 Check Register as outlined in the staff report. 4.3 Balance Sheet as outlined in the staff report. 4.4 Revenue/Expenditure Report as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Open Forum IIINo one appeared for Open Forum. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2 September 3,2019 6. Public Hearings • There were no public hearings. 7.I HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. Commissioner Eder asked if loan payments are reported to credit reporting agencies and if so,which agencies. Ms. Othoudt stated CEE reports loan payments to one credit reporting bureau,TransUnion. 7.2 2020 HRA Budget and Resolution Establishing HRA Levy Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She asked the Authority for direction regarding inclusion of funds for the watering and maintenance of hanging planters in downtown Elk River beginning in 2020. She indicated the estimated cost received from Parks and Recreation staff totaled$8000 and includes staff maintenance of the planters for 24 weeks at 2 hours a day for weekdays at a rate of$14.00/hr., and a weekend rate of$46.05/hr. Ms. Othoudt asked if the HRA would consider including an additional$8,000 to cover this cost and include it in the 2020 budget. Chair Toth asked who is paying for the hanging planters, the city or the Downtown Association. 4111 Ms. Othoudt indicated the Downtown Association will be raising funds to purchase the hanging planters. Commissioner Ovall explained the thought process and context of the HRA adding these funds to the HRA budget in support of maintaining the downtown hanging planters. He explained events held downtown, such as concerts and the Farmers Market, draw people into Elk River from outside the community, and part of the culture they want to incorporate is having a vibrant and well-maintained downtown. He stated it also aligns with elements in the Mississippi Connections Plan. He stated he has heard discussion from the downtown group and while Elk River Municipal Utilities recently helped with installation of the light poles,it was asked if the city can also help out with the cost of maintaining the planters. He stated the second concern is inconsistent maintenance of the planters and placing that burden on the downtown businesses. He also feels it is for the betterment of the entire city and not just the downtown. Commissioner Ovall stated he is supportive of including funds in the HRA budget for 2020 and asked the Authority to consider it since it seems to fall into their authority. Chair Toth thinks the downtown would benefit from this and likes seeing well-maintained hanging planters in other downtowns. Commissioner Eder agreed with Commissioner Ovall's comments and asked questions • regarding the breakdown of the cost of maintaining the planters,wondering if the hanging Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 3 September 3,2019 • planters needing to be watered on weekends. She noted her own personal planters aren't watered on the weekends and seem to do well and overwatering isn't good for planters as too much water just runs out. Commissioner Chuba stated the hanging planters seem to take more water but he agrees with her questioning the need for weekend watering. Commissioner Ovall stated he would give Street and Park Superintendent Tim Sevcik the benefit of the doubt when determining how often and when to water the hanging planters, noting we'd have to see how it goes. He indicated there was no expense included for the use of city equipment or water, and because every other light pole will have a hanging planter, safety and efficiency navigating around vehicles and people will not be easy without the right equipment. Commissioner Eder asked if other cities were contacted about the number of days per week their hanging planters were watered. Ms. Othoudt indicated she had contacted other cities and they had all incorporated 7 days per week watering into their budget,noting she hasn't come across a city that doesn't water 7 days a week. Commissioner Kuester asked why the Parks Department isn't responsible for this when they already maintain the downtown park. • Commissioner Ovall stated it's more than a downtown business effort and the city has been leaning on them a lot for their time and resources,but with volunteers it's sometimes difficult to maintain consistency along with proper planter maintenance and safety. He stated after reflecting on that,it seems to make sense to use HRA budgeted funds for this purpose because it benefits more than just the downtown. Commissioner Chuba asked if this cost includes plant fertilizer when needed. Commissioner Eder stated she assumed fertilizer would be added to the water. Ms. Othoudt stated it was her understanding it would be just water and does not include fertilizer. Chair Toth asked if she could check with other cities. Commissioner Eder asked for clarification that other cities didn't fertilizer their flowers. Ms. Othoudt stated that was one of the questions she asked other cities and she wasn't aware that there was fertilizer applied with the water. Commissioner Chuba stated the city of Rogers has very large planters and they look good. • Commissioner Eder stated the city of Anoka's planters are similar and beautiful and would assume they are fertilized periodically. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 4 September 3,2019 Ms. Othoudt stated staff can certainly check on that. • Motion by Commissioner Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Eder to approve the 2020 HRA budget as outlined in the staff report and approve Resolution 19-05 establishing the tax levy for the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority in the amount of$370,250 which includes an additional$8,000 for watering and maintenance of the downtown hanging planters. Motion carried 5-0. HRA recessed at 5:52 p.m. in order to go in to work session. The meeting reconvened at 5:58 p.m. 8.1 Blighted Properties Discussion Ms. Othoudt presented her staff report. She outlined the cities of Fairmont,Coon Rapids, and Richfield and their blighted properties programs with a PowerPoint presentation. After reviewing the many available programs,it was the consensus of the HRA to have staff bring back more detailed information on the following programs: Coon Rapids: Curb Appeal Front Door program • Grants of$1,000 - $5,000 • Grants will equal 15% or 25% of the project amount • Enhancing Curb Appeal Anoka: Interior and Exterior Renovation • • Low-interest,revolving loan fund for commercial businesses Richfield: Richfield Rediscovered Lot Sale Program • Tweak so it aligns with Elk River's goals with the desire to incentivize redevelopment of our internal housing structure in our target area Contractor Purchase/Remodel/Sell • Spec Home Centra Homes Housing Programs • Dale Wills indicated he would like to work in Elk River 9. Adjournment Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green Tina A , Clerk L. To Chair Housing&Redevelopment Authority •