08-03-2020 HRA MIN SPECIALSpecial Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 3, 2020
Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Michelle Eder, Nate Ovall,
and Jayme Swenson
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt and Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy
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 4:30 p.m. by Chair Toth.
2. HRA 2021 Budget and Budget Goals
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. Ms. Othoudt indicated she will have the estimated
market value by the September 7 meeting and will be able to provide levy options at that
time. Ms. Othoudt explained the HRA can levy the previous rate, balanced rate, or
maximum rate. The commission discussed if reserves could help fund the difference
between the 2020 and 2021 proposed expenditures instead of levying to avoid raising taxes.
Ms. Othoudt will check on that.
Ms. Othoudt presented the budget. The commission felt comfortable with the proposed
$145,000 for property acquisition, noting they at used approximately $500,000 towards the
Main and Gates redevelopment. This amount will allow them to act on purchasing an
additional property in the block. The commission discussed adjusting lines item for the Main
and Gates property maintenance and decided to leave them as proposed.
Ms. Othoudt explained the changes to the Contractual Services line items, noting the
$150,000 would fund 6 CEE loans, and modified the breakdown of the CEE Administrative
Fee to this fund, originally in Other Professional Services. She discussed how leveraging
other program dollars along with our HRA loan program was able to help Elk River citizens
and complimented CEE on assisting in this. She also noted how helpful CEE has been in
administrating this loan program. She stated she did not budget additional funds for the
blighted properties program because there are available funds which should cover 3
properties. Chair Toth asked if additional funds could be added if there were more than 3
blighted properties to consider. She stated she felt 3 properties was a very approachable
Housing and Redevelopment Minutes
August 3, 2020
Page 2
number and the commission could discuss funding sources should more than 3 properties
be identified.
Ms. Othoudt reviewed the performance measures and goals.
Chair Toth asked what happened to the downtown planters. Ms. Othoudt indicated they
were taken down to be revived and should be going back up shortly. She stated it was a very
hot year and the sun was more intense on one side of the street, noting they will learn for
next year's planters. She noted the HRA budgets for watering and has ERMU do the
watering. She noted the Economic Development Authority has partnered with the HRA to
purchase banner holders for downtown and will be installed soon.
Commissioner Ovall asked for more discussion and communication on the goal of
"Enhance redevelopment opportunities for C/I properties" and asked if the HRA could
assist in proactively focusing on identifying blighted properties and determine tasks to
measure progress. He suggested quarterly work sessions with various city departments
(police, building, planning) to discuss recent zoning changes or building structure changes.
He wondered if a list of blighted properties could be put together. He felt it could avoid
future conflicts by identifying them and noting the challenges faced by them. He added at
the very least, areas of the city with zoning changes.
Ms. Othoudt stated a concern would be identifying specific properties in a public meeting.
She indicated the Comprehensive Plan update launching later in the month will have Chair
Toth as the HRA representative. She will brainstorm some ideas, discuss with various
departments, noting it may not be property -specific, and bring back to the September
meeting.
Ms. Othoudt asked if the commission was interested in lowering the 4% interest rate when
renewing the CEE contract. Commissioner Eder stated a 4% interest rate was still lower
than a second mortgage rate and felt it was very competitive.
HRA consensus was to move forward with this budget.
3. Adjournment
Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 5:08 p.m.
Minutes red by Jennifer Green.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
L Toth, Chair
Housing & Redevelopment Authority