07-07-2025 HRA MIN
Meeting of the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, July 7, 2025
Members Present: Commissioner Dennis Chuba, Commissioner Nate Ovall, Commissioner Lynn
Caswell, Commissioner Mel Beaudry, Mayor John Dietz
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Specialist Joshua Mollan, and Recording Secretary Jennifer
Green
1. 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 Beaudry to approve the
agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Caswell and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to approve the
following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 5-0.
4.1 Draft HRA Minutes - June 2, 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
6.1 Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes
July 7, 2025
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Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. He indicated a loan closed in June and those details will appear in
next month's reports. Mr. Mollan updated the HRA on the loan making sporadic payments previously
discussed has overpaid their loan by nearly $3200.00, so they are satisfactory on their loan account.
6.2 SAHA Allocation Update
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. He explained that the framework for this program, shared a few
months ago by Mr. O'Neil, was that these funds would be provided to housing programs managed by
the Sherburne County Health and Human Services department. Mr. Mollan stated he and Mr. O'Neil
met with county staff, who then recommended staff contact Main Street Family Services, an Elk River
non-profit in the community for the past 8 years, who supports families in need and is a Sherburne
County's preferred provider. After meeting with Main Street Family Services staff, they were advised
that their staff would also be open to a partnership to implement a portion of the city's SAHA funds.
Mr. Mollan asked the HRA to discuss a potential partnership to allocate those funds.
The HRA discussed this partnership and asked questions about Main Street Family Services. Staff had a
video call with Julie Schultz, the executive director, who explained their offices are located on Jackson
Street, and they provide emergency flex funding that goes directly to a landlord or bank for a person in
need of housing funds. Most recently, they became a Community Resource Center which opens
themselves up for these types of partnerships, according to Debbi Rydberg, who was present and
answered a few questions about what she knew of Main Street Family Services.
Chair Chuba asked if there were residency requirements for working with this entity. Mr. Mollan and
Ms. Rydberg weren't sure.
Commissioner Ovall asked to have Julie Schultz at next month's meeting. He expressed his reservations
with Sherburne County not receiving the funds and asked if the city has a burden to determine if the
resources are being properly distributed and an entity has been property vetted. He wondered if the
city has any obligation to use another community resource. He is aware there are other non-profits in
the community that do similar things.
Mr. Mollan stated this entity came as a recommendation from Sherburne County since they direct their
families to Main Street Family Services for assistance.
Chair Chuba asked if there was a dollar amount.
Mr. Mollan stated the amount was $50,000 and the amount and guidelines can still be adjusted. The
agreement with Sherburne County or Main Street Family Services would run through 2027 and then
reviewed annually to adjust for a lower amount of state funding.
Commissioner Dietz asked that someone from Sherburne County Health and Human Services also
attend next month's meeting to answer questions.
Commissioner Caswell asked if another loan organization could receive these funds.
Commissioner Dietz stated they wanted Sherburne County to be in receipt of these funds because they
wanted them to distribute the resources without the city having to vet an entity.
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July 7, 2025
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It was the consensus of the commission to have a representative from both Sherburne County and
Main Street Family Services presented at the next meeting to answer these questions.
6.3 General Updates
Mr. Mollan provided the following updates:
-Mr. Mollan stated the August HRA meeting would have a budget workshop following the regular
meeting.
-There may be a future meeting regarding a partnership between the HRA and a city property with
code enforcement requirements.
-The Garden Gem Awards are now live and staff have already received two nominations. Mr. Mollan
indicated he is working on social media videos and posts outlining details with a deadline for
nominations of July 31. There will also be an article on the city website and postcards distributed.
-Mr. Mollan updated the HRA that the Downtown Small Area Plan was approved at last month's City
Council meeting.
Chair Chuba asked if the city still has a booth at the Farmers Market. He wondered if the city could
promote upcoming events and the Garden Gem award program.
Mr. Mollan indicated the city does have a booth at the Farmers Market and flyers are distributed there
for the Garden Gem program and Elk Riverfest, among other things.
Commissioner Dietz updated the HRA that the long grass needing mowing at the Main and Gates
properties is the responsibility of the developer.
7. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Caswell to adjourn the
meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 05:45 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
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Denny Chuba, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk