4.1. HRA DRAFT MINUTES 11-07-2022 (2 SETS)
Regular Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, October 3, 2022
Members Present: Chair Denny Chuba, Commissioners Nate Ovall, Jayme Swenson, and
Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: Commissioner Jill Larson-Vito
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O’Neil, Economic Development
Specialist Joshua 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 5:30 p.m. by Chair Chuba.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider October 3, 2022, Agenda
Commissioner Ovall asked that item 6.4 Approval of a Purchase Agreement for 724 Main
Street be added to the agenda.
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to approve
the October 3, 2022, HRA meeting agenda as presented with the addition of item 6.4.
Motion carried 4-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Swenson to approve
the consent agenda as follows:
4.1 September 6, 2022, HRA Meeting Minutes – Regular and Closed.
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Balance sheet as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Revenue/expenditure reports as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 4-0.
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October 3, 2022
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5. Open Forum
Mayor John Dietz noted the City Council appointed Jill Larson-Vito to the Housing and
Redevelopment Commission and she will begin her service in November.
6.1 Officer and Committee Assignments
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Swenson and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to
nominate Jennifer Wagner as Vice Chair of the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority with term expiration
Motion carried 4-0.
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to table the
decision to appoint a member of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to the
Joint Finance Committee until the November 7, 2022, HRA meeting.
Motion carried 4-0.
6.2 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Update
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. He asked for feedback from the commission on the
chart included in the staff reports for loan summarizing the CEE Loan activity. He indicated
if it was helpful, he would include it each month.
The consensus of the commission was to include the summary each month.
Commissioner Ovall stated he attended a commercial real estate networking event and
learned about Pacer funding for solar power on commercial roof tops to generate power. He
asked if the HRA could allow solar panels to be funded by our loan program.
Mr. O’Neil will verify that with our policy guidelines but felt it fell under energy efficiency.
6.3 General Updates
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report. He stated members of DERBA wrote the HRA a
thank you note for funding the downtown flowers.
Mr. O’Neil stated he continues to work on fielding calls and marketing the Main and Gates
properties.
Commissioner Wagner suggested when the Main and Gates for sale sign was replaced to add
images on the sign that prompt ideas for what could be there, and to get people thinking
about the possibilities the site holds.
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6.4 Consideration of a Purchase Agreement for the property at 724 Main Street
NW
Mr. O’Neil distributed a resolution for consideration of approving the purchase agreement
for the property at 724 Main Street NW.
Commissioner Wagner stated the HRA has done its due diligence working with the property
owners to purchase the property. She felt this was a good acquisition not only for the city
but also for the Robecks as well as the community. She stated there were some ideas for
making the corridor and listen to the tape. She stated the Robecks will forever be known by
name with their “Happy Sticks” and thanked them for being a great small business,
representing truly the fabric of what a small business is.
The commission agreed.
Chair Chuba asked about winterizing the building after closing in December.
Mr. O’Neil indicated the heat and water have been turned off as of last year. He stated the
building will be demolished after the HRA reviews and approves demolition quotes. He
stated on Wednesday evening, the Parks and Recreation Commission will meet to discuss
possibilities for the space, and discuss what could be built to help the entire Main Street
corridor, and the consideration of public restrooms.
Commissioner Swenson felt it important to ensure the public understands the goals of the
building being demolished and have social media explain the process.
Chair Chuba asked if the city carries insurance when the city purchases buildings.
Mr. O’Neil indicated the city does.
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to adopt
Resolution 22-02 approving the purchase of certain property located at 724 Main
Street NW as outlined in the handout.
Motion carried 4-0.
7. Adjournment
Chair Chuba adjourned the HRA meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 4
October 3, 2022
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_____________________
Denny Chuba, Vice Chair
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Closed Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, October 3, 2022
Members Present: Chair Denny Chuba, Commissioners Nate Ovall, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: Commissioner Jayme Swenson
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O’Neil, Economic Development
Specialist Joshua 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 5:15 p.m. by Chair Chuba.
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 were:
HRA Properties at Main St. and Gates Ave.: PID #75-401-0130, 75-401-0135, 75-401-0140,
75-401-0145, 75-401-0150, 75-401-0115; and PID #75-405-0225, also known as 724 Main
Street NW, Elk River.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Chuba adjourned the meeting 5:25 p.m.
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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Denny Chuba, Acting Chair
Housing & Redevelopment Authority