03-03-2025 HRA MINJ
City of
Elk = _
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, March 3, 2025
Commissioner Dennis Chuba, Commissioner Nate Ovall, Commissioner Lynn
Caswell, Commissioner Mel Beaudry, Mayor John Dietz
None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Specialist
Joshua Mollan, and Recording Secretary Jennifer Green
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to approve the
agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Caswell to approve the
following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 5-0.
4.1 Draft Minutes - February 3, 2025
4.2 Check Register
4.3 Balance Sheet
4.4 Revenue/Expenditure Reports
5. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. GENERAL BUSINESS
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes
March 3, 2025
Page 2 of 3
6.1 Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. He stated that the staff are considering another marketing mailer
inserted in ERMU bills along with a Star News spring home improvement ad. He explained to
Commissioner Ovall the figures from 2024 loans issued, which was presented at the February meeting.
6.2 General Updates
Mr. O'Neil stated the downtown study is nearing completion. He noted that one thing among the
discussion is public amenities such as a public restroom and that the HRA commission may need to be
part of that future planning, including financial participation requests.
Mr. O'Neil asked the commission to think about the next big project the HRA should take on.
Mr. O'Neil reported that Sherburne County is considering a similar loan program as the HRA's rehab
loan program; the term would be shorter, and it would likely be geared towards bringing a house into
salable condition. Eligibility would be county -wide and could serve those properties outside Elk River's
urban service district. He indicated available funds are anticipated to be around $150,000 for the first
year with the county applying for a state program loan match.
7. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Commissioner Caswell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to adjourn the
regular meeting at 5:40 p.m. and go into worksession. Motion carried 5-0.
8. WORK SESSION
Chair Chuba called the work session to order at 5:45 p.m.
8.1 Summary of Sherburne County Housing Study
Mr. Mollan presented the commission with a handout and excerpts from the 2024 Sherburne County
Housing Study. He stated staff will also provide a brief presentation to the city council at a future
meeting.
Some of the staffs takeaways were regarding senior housing needs and the rental market, noting
neither required the HRA to take any action at this time.
8.2 Discuss Statewide Affordable Housing Aid Program
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report and discussed the options the HRA could take with regard to
allocating the city's allowed funds from the Statewide Affordable Housing Aid program. He noted the
city of Big Lake has decided to partner with Sherburne County Social Services and supplement the
budgets of their programs, specifically towards funds for emergency rental assistance. Mr. O'Neil stated
the option to also partner with Sherburne County is a possibility if we aren't able to find or create our
own program for these funds.
Commissioner Ovall wondered if these funds could be used to aid first-time home buyers, providing
more affordable housing opportunities and incentivizing builders to offer lower -cost options for new
home buyers. He also wondered if the funds could be used for updating sewer pipes and electrical
wiring to improve a home's safety and increase housing stock by bringing older homes onto the
market.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes
March 3, 2025
Page 3 of 3
6
Commissioner Caswell suggested the funds be used to assist the homeless population in finding
temporary or permanent housing, and if the county could use these funds for homelessness.
Mr. O'Neil indicated staff would research those suggestions.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to adjourn the
worksession. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
n
Denny Chuba, Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk