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10-02-2023 HRA MINMeeting of the Elk River tl*4 ,Housing and Redevelopment Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall ver Monday, October 2, 2023 Members Present: Chair Denny Chuba, Commissioners Nate Ovall and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: Commissioner Jill Larson -Vito Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil and Sr. Administrative Assistant 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 5:30 p.m. by Chair Chuba. 2. Pledge of Allegiance: Chair Denny Chuba led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Consider Agenda Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to approve the October 2, 2023, HRA meeting agenda as presented. Motion carried 3-0. 4. Consent Agenda Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to approve the consent 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. S. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. 6.1 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Update Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes October 2, 2023 6.2 Budget Workshop Follow -Up Page 2 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's being represented in the report. He went through the Assets, Liabilities, and Equity accounts line by line 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't ready to give up making that work. He stated unless the HRA has other thoughts that it would 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 it was 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't feel 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 to be consistent on that front. 6.4 General Updates Mr. O'Neil updated the HRA that he attends the meeting of the Sherburne County EDA and noted the county will be updating 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 at the bigger picture of the greater downtown area, zoning districts, and the synergy of the area around Main Street beyond the core historic downtown east to the Highway 169 connection. He stated they will also look at the 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. p0111RII ICI p 1 ATURE Housing and Redevelopment N inutes Page 3 October 2, 2023 Chair Chuba asked if staff 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. 17 �nny Chu6}� Tina POwEAEI er [NATURE]