4.1. HRA MINUTES (3 SETS) 09-06-2022
Special Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 1, 2022
Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Nate Ovall, Jayme
Swenson, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O’Neil, Economic Development
Specialist Josh Mollan, and 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 4:30 p.m. by Chair Toth.
2. HRA 2023 Budget and Budget Goals
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report with a PowerPoint presentation and began with
discussion regarding the upcoming budget approval schedule. Mr. O’Neil stated the budget
presented for review was a carryover from previous years’ budgets and asked a few questions
regarding how the HRA wished to proceed in 2023 regarding the following topics:
-Resolution on the Main and Gates site.
-Desired opportunities to acquiring properties, how does that fit the HRA, and how
to allocate those funds.
-Budgeting for any special studies or research analysis projects (parking, traffic, etc).
-Pursuing external funds (in addition to ARPA funds).
-Program development, esp. current rehab loan program. ? New? Supplement?
Loans or grants.
Mr. O’Neil then asked the HRA whether it felt there was value in the HRA and EDA
coordinating more closely, and perhaps even considering a joint operational structure. More
research would be required to determine how feasible this is, including use of levy and
budget abilities. After discussion, it was the consensus of the commission that the purpose
of each authority was distinct, and it would be better to be maintain the HRA operations
separate from the EDA. The commission also expressed a desire to continue this discussion
at a future meeting about enhancing greater collaboration and coordination between the two
entities.
Commissioner Ovall reviewed item 4.3, the balance sheet report.
Mr. O’Neil then reviewed the performance measures and goals for 2023. The HRA
discussed in detail the following:
Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2
August 1, 2022
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-Promote Preservation of Housing Stock
-Promote a Vital Downtown: Review the aging façade improvement microloan program.
-Enhance redevelopment opportunities for C/I properties: pursue internal department
dialog.
After reviewing the 2023 budget detail worksheet, the HRA made the following
modifications or suggestions:
-Remove $1,200 Lead Forensics
-Support leaving $1000 for seasonal marketing but left to staff discretion
-CEE Administration fee – leave as is
-Professional Services- add $10,000 for potential needs such appraiser fees, study fees,
landscape plan
-Not supportive of $50,000 expansion of rehab loan program at this time until repositioning
of the programs.
-$200,000 property acquisition kept in.
Commissioner Ovall mentioned that the EDA pays a $150 stipend to its members and
suggested the HRA consider at paying a stipend to commission members. He explained the
number of additional meetings and involvement in projects, noting if they were to attract
and retain top talent, something like this would bring the right people to the table.
Mr. O’Neil offered to look into it. He stated it would also require amending the governing
documents by the city council. No action was taken.
3. Adjournment
Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 5:44 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, August 1, 2022
Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Nate Ovall, Jayme
Swenson, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O’Neil, Economic Development
Specialist Josh Mollan, 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 5:48 p.m. by Chair Toth.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider August 1, 2022, Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to approve
the August 1, 2022, HRA meeting agenda as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to approve
the consent agenda as follows:
4.1 July 5, 2022, HRA Meeting Minutes
4.2 Check registers as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Balance sheets as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Revenue/expenditure reports as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
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August 1, 2022
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6.1 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Update
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. He noted some updated statistics from the Star News
online web ads with 25,000 impression and 16 clicks. Mr. Mollan stated a Facebook post got
9 views and one reaction. He said they’re planning on a Facebook posting once a month
advertising the rehab loan; he asked the commission to let him know if they would like to
see more posts.
Mr. O’Neil explained the two different CEE monthly report styles in their packets and
requested feedback from the commission on ease of reading the content and the size.
Commissioner Ovall stated he likes the bar graphs in the new style of reports. The
commission would also like an 8 ½ x 11 size that is large enough to read.
6.2 General Updates
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report. He noted Placer.ai software is being used and staff
continues to learn its capabilities. He stated he will provide more robust information at a
future meeting.
Commissioner Ovall asked if the annual Placer.ai subscription fee being split with the EDA
is included in the 2023 budget. Mr. O’Neil stated he will add it if it is not.
Mr. O’Neil reported Mr. Mollan is working on getting the sign fixed at Main and Gates. He
noted the weeds are growing faster than the grass and will consider getting it mowed more
often to keep the property looking nice. He noted a vehicle was parked for sale on the
property last week and will continue to monitor the site to ensure that doesn’t continue to
happen.
8. Adjournment
Chair Toth adjourned the HRA meeting at 5:57 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 the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 1, 2022
Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Nate Ovall, Jayme
Swenson, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O’Neil, Economic Development
Intern Josh Mollan, 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 6:02 p.m. by Chair Toth.
2. Closed Meeting – MN Statute §13D.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 are HRA properties
at Main St. and Gates Ave.:
PIDs: 75-401-0130 75-401-0135 75-401-0140 75-401-0145
75-401-0150 75-401-0105 75-401-0115
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Toth adjourned the meeting 6:26 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
_____________________
Larry Toth, Chair
Housing & Redevelopment Authority