08-01-2022 HRA MIN SPECIALSpecial Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August I, 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
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 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
August 1, 2022
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-Promote Preservation of Housing Stock
-Promote a Vital Downtown: Review the aging facade 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.
4 (P -
Tina --1flard, City Clerk
Toth, Ch
ing & Rede elopment Authority