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4.1. DRAFT MINUTES (2 SETS) 07-06-2021 City of Elk Regular Meeting of the Elk River River Housing and Redevelopment Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday,June 7, 2021 Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Nate Ovall,Jayme Swenson, and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner,Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, Community Development Director Suzanne Fischer, and Recording Secretary Jennifer Green I. Call Meeting to Order Ae 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 June 7, 2021, Agenda Moved by Commissioner Wagner seconded by Commissioner Ovall to approve the June 7, 2021, HRA meeting agenda with the addition noted above. Motion carried 5- 4. Consent Agenda Moved by Commissioner Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to approve the consent agenda as follows: 4.1 Meeting Minutes: ■ April 5,2021, Regular April 12,2021, Special May 3,2021, 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. S. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2 Julie 7,2021 ----------------------------- 6. Public Hearings There were no public hearings. 7.1 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update Ms. Eddy presented the staff report. She indicated staff is looking for direction from the commission if they wish to schedule a work session with CEE to discuss the city's rehab loan program guidelines along with CEE's programs. She stated residents are taking advantage of the various programs CEE offers reminded the HRA the interest rate of 4% and $25,000 lending limit could be discussed and changed if the commission felt it necessary. Commissioner Swenson stated it would be wise to discuss their options with CEE. Mr. Portner explained he and Ms. Eddy were reviewing some of the reasons for recent loan denials to see if we can offer residents more opportunities to qualify or provide incentives to use our funds,perhaps by applying a lower interest rate,looking differently at credit reports, or turning the loan into a grant. He stated banks take risks and perhaps the HRA should be taking a more extreme risk to help our community. Commissioner Ovall stated interest rate is a nominal issue especially at the high loan to value proposals. He felt the bigger issues has been the loan amount with residents doing bigger projects. He noted residents have continued to use the services of CEE and felt the HRA continues to accomplish the same mission. Based upon currently economic activity and material shortage and costs, Commissioner Ovall did not know if the HRA needed to respond to the current lack of activity based on current economics. He stated they can review lowering the interest rate. He reiterated the current priorities for the commission and did not know if adding more money or incentive will produce the results. Commissioner Swenson appreciated Commissioner Ovall's comments and wondered if this program is helping the community right now and would like to review the guidelines to ensure the needs of the community are being met. Commissioner Chuba stated he felt it was worth having a work session to review and discuss options with CEE. Chair Toth agreed with what Commissioner Ovall said and noted when the program was set up it was bade economy at the time,and that economy has changed. Commissioner vall noted there's other initiatives, such as generators and electric cars, so an innovative approach is valuable. Staff will schedule a work session at the July HRA meeting with CEE. 7.2 Main and Gates Redevelopment Update Ms. Eddy presented the staff report. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 3 Julie 7,2021 ----------------------------- Commissioner Wagner asked how the prospects learn about the redevelopment opportunity. Ms. Eddy indicated the information is available via the city's website and also on LinkedIn. 7.3 Downtown Streetscape Discussion Ms. Fischer presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation. Commissioner Ovall stated there are a few plans being proposed right now that effect the downtown and it is difficult to compartmentalize and priorities where this falls into the Comprehensive Plan update and the downtown plan and vision. He wondered if this plan would jive with the others and is it necessary or in the `right order'to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. He felt sticking with the current plan to focus on the traffic plan and possibility of the pedestrian bridge. He stated if the are successful with changing the traffic and flow, that changes what they do after that. Ms. Fischer stated the traffic plan is Curren`yunderway as well as finalizin Comprehensive Plan update. Commissioner Wagner hesitated moving forward with a streetscape study now until the city knows what they want and how they can best direct a co sultant in the correct direction, especially since we are not sure of the direction. Commissioner Chuba somewhat disagreed and would like to see some other concepts presented with a fresh set of eyes but noted the importance of being fiscally responsible with the costs associated with this study. Commissioner Wagner stated;: e felt it would be an expense that would not provide a full benefit if done n It was the consensus of the HRA to keep this study on the back burner as a future possibility. 8. Adjournment Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green. Tina Allard, City Clerk Larry Toth, Chair Housing&Redevelopment Authority City of Elk Closed Meeting of the Elk River River Housing and Redevelopment Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday,June 7, 2021 Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Nate Ovall,Jayme Swenson, and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner,Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, Planning Manager Zack Carlton, and Recording Secretary Jennifer Green I. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of theElkRiver Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Toth. 2. Closed Meeting- MN Statute §1313.05, Subd, 3(c)(3) 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 an offer or counteroffers for the purchase or sale of real or personal property. The properties discussed were PID #75-405- 0225, also known as 724 Main Street NW,Elk River. j X3. Adjournmen There being no further business, Chair Toth adjourned the meeting 6:25 p.m. �t I Tina Allard, City Clerk Larry Toth, Chair Housing& Redevelopment Authority