06-07-2021 HRA MIN /).4*
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
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 5-0.
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.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
I lousing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2
June 7,2021
6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
7.I 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 based on the economy at the time,and that economy has changed.
Commissioner Ovall 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
June 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 they are successful with changing the traffic
and flow, that changes what they do after that.
Ms. Fischer stated the traffic plan is currently underway as well as finalizing the
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 consultant 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 she felt it would be an expense that would not provide a full
benefit if done now.
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.
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
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Housing& Redevelopment Authority