4.1. DRAFT HRA MINUTES 12-04-2023Meeting of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, October 2, 2023 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Chair Denny Chuba, Commissioners Nate Ovall and Jennifer Wagner Commissioner Jill Larson-Vito Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil and Sr. Administrative Assistant Jennifer Green I.Call Meeting to OrderPursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Housing and RedevelopmentAuthority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Chuba.2.Pledge of Allegiance:Chair Denny Chuba led the Pledge of Allegiance.3.Consider AgendaMoved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to approve theOctober 2, 2023, HRA meeting agenda as presented.Motion carried 3-0.4.Consent AgendaMoved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to approve theconsent agenda as follows:4.1 September 5, 2023, 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 3-0. 5.Open ForumNo one appeared for Open Forum.6.1 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan UpdateMr. O'Neil presented the staff report.
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October 2, 2023
6.2 Budget Workshop Follow-Up
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report and reviewed the HRA Balance Sheet with the commission.
When reviewing the report with the finance manager, he noted it raised some questions for him on
how to clarify the reporting and follow-up on what’sbeing represented in the report. He went
through the Assets, Liabilities, and Equity accounts line byline for the commission.
6.3 Main and Gates Update
Mr. O’Neil updated the commission on the sale of the Main and Gates property, stating the purchase
agreement the city had with Ron Touchette expired on September 30. He indicated Mr. Touchette
continues to work with that tenant and he still has some optimism for them and isn’tready to give
up making that work. He stated unless the HRA has other thoughts that itwould make sense for Mr.
Touchette to continue working with the potential tenant.
Chair Chuba asked if the HRA should wait for Mr. Touchette or put the property back on market.
Mr. O’Neil stated staff never took the property off the market and only noted on the listing that itwas
under contract. He stated they will remove that note. Mr. O’Neil does foresee a deeper conversation
with the HRA at the November meeting and asked if the HRA is still willing to pursue this
transaction with Mr. Touchette. The HRA did not oppose having Mr. Touchette continue working on
this property sale.
Commissioner Ovall stated he didn’tfeel they were still no better or worse off and continued to feel
hopeful on a future project. He noted the need to have one person to control the project and tobe
consistent on that front.
6.4 General Updates
Mr. O’Neil updated the HRA that heattends the meeting of the Sherburne County EDA and noted
the county will beupdating their housing study. He indicated he’s discussed the possibility to partner
with them, the cost, and benefits of joining in their housing study. Matt Mullens with Maxfield will be
at their next meeting. Sherburne County will be hosting a housing forum next month.
Mr. O’Neil stated the City Council will have a future discussion regarding abandoned properties in
the community regarding safety and potential HRA involvement for redevelopment opportunities.
Mr. O’Neil stated the City Council is considering adding reconstruction of Main Street in the city’s
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The topic led into conversations regarding redevelopment and the
CIP project would include a resurfacing of the King Avenue parking lot. He stated they’ve discussed
a small area development plan spearheaded by the Planning Division, similar to the Mississippi
Connections Plan. This plan will look atthe bigger picture of the greater downtown area, zoning
districts, and the synergy ofthe area around Main Street beyond the core historic downtown east to
the Highway 169 connection. He stated they will also look atthe HRA acquisition fund and determine
more opportunities with targeted acquisitions, identifying where those properties are and prioritizing
where the HRA wants to put their focus.
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October 2, 2023
Chair Chuba asked ifstaff has contacted the downtown flower vendor.
Mr. O’Neil stated he will have a conversation with them in preparation for the 2024 season.
7. Adjourn Regular Meeting
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to adjourn the
regular meeting of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
Denny Chuba, Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk