4.1. DRAFT HRA MINUTES 01-03-2023
Regular Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 5, 2022
Members Present: Chair Denny Chuba, Commissioners Jayme Cannon, Jill Larson-Vito, Nate
Ovall, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O’Neil, Economic Development
Specialist Joshua Mollan, and Recording Secretary Katie Porath
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 December 5, 2022, Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to approve
the December 5, 2022, HRA meeting agenda as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Cannon to approve
the consent agenda as follows:
4.1 November 7, 2022, Regular HRA Meeting Minutes.
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 5-0.
Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2
December 5, 2022
-----------------------------
5. Open Forum
There was no one present for Open Forum.
6.1 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Update
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report.
The HRA needs to decide if they wish to renew with the Minnesota Center for Energy and
Environment (CEE) for 2023. The fee will stay at $2,500.
Commissioner Wagner asked what other options there were besides going with CEE.
Mr. O’Neil stated the review and underwriting could be brought in-house.
Commissioner Ovall believes the CEE provides excellent reporting and is worth the cost.
Chair Chuba stated that more residents may use this program as interest rates rise.
6.2 Elk River Meats Updates
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report.
The HRA closed on the purchase of the Elk River Meats property on December 1, 2022.
Mr. O’Neil asked the Commission if they wanted to consider rehabilitation or demolition
and what their time frame for the project would be.
Mr. O’Neil added that the fire department and police department may wish to use the
building for training before it is demolished.
To avoid disruption to the surrounding businesses and summer activities, as well as spring
thaw road restrictions, the Commission felt it was important to complete demolition before
March 2023.
Commissioner Cannon added that the process should be sensitive to the community who
have memories of the building to avoid any misunderstandings.
Mr. O’Neil will begin looking into proposals for demolition.
Mr. O’Neil stated he is researching options for funding and the Commission will continue to
discuss future uses of the site.
6.3 HRA Loan at Jackson Place
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report.
Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 3
December 5, 2022
-----------------------------
The HRA discussed the proposal from Metro Plains to accept an early pay-off of the loan
the Metro Plains has from the HRA as well as the feedback provided by the Joint Finance
Committee (JFC). The JFC recommended to the HRA denial of the early pay-off request.
The HRA expressed unwillingness to accept the request to pay off the loan early at a
discounted rate and stated they needed to receive the original principal back. They concurred
with the JFC and agreed that the applicant could submit a different offer at any time.
Moved by Commissioner Larson-Vito and seconded by Commissioner Cannon to
approve a statement concurring and accepting the Joint Finance Committee (JFC)
recommendation on the loan proposal received.
Motion carried 5-0.
6.4 General Updates
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report.
The EDA will be looking at a website redesign in 2023. Mr. O’Neil discussed the possibility
of merging the EDA and HRA into the city website rather than a separate page and cost.
The annual EDA meeting will be held in February at which the EDA will review their
original authorizing resolution and look at their bylaws.
Commissioner Chuba asked if the wreaths on the light posts on Main Street could be turned
so that traffic can see them easier.
Commissioner Wagner stated there were limitations on the position of the wreaths due to
the brackets on the poles and the height of delivery trucks that need to pass under them. She
will bring the question to the Utilities Commission. The lights in the trees were removed
because they were inhibiting the growth of the trees.
7. Adjournment
Chair Chuba adjourned the HRA meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
_____________________
Denny Chuba, Chair
Housing & Redevelopment Authority