01-05-2026 HRA MIN
Meeting of the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, January 5, 2026
Members Present: Commissioner Dennis Chuba, Commissioner Nate Ovall, Commissioner Lynn
Caswell, Commissioner Mel Beaudry, Mayor John Dietz
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 was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. OATH OF OFFICE
2.1 Commissioner Nate Ovall
The oath of office was administered to Commissioner Nate Ovall.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Beaudry to approve the
agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
5. ANNUAL MEETING BUSINESS
5.1 Annual Election of Officers
Chair Chuba announced his intention to retire from the HRA board and said he'd serve until a
replacement is appointed.
Commissioner Beaudry nominated Nate Ovall for the position of chair.
Moved by Commissioner Beaudry and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to nominate and
elect Nate Ovall as the HRA Chair for 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Caswell to nominate and
elect the HRA Vice Chair for 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Chair Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to nominate and elect the
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January 5, 2026
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HRA Secretary for 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
5.2 Committee Appointments
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Beaudry to designate
Commissioners Nate Ovall and Lynn Caswell to serve on the EDA-HRA Joint Finance
Committee for 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
5.3 Annual Review of Bylaws and Enabling Resolution
The Commission had no changes to the bylaws or enabling resolution at this time.
5.4 2026 Meeting Schedule
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Caswell to set the regular
meeting schedule of the HRA for 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Beaudry remembered a past discussion about changing the day of the month the HRA
board meets. Mr. O'Neil discussed some options, including having the HRA and EDA meet on the same
day, either in conjunction with a council meeting or on a different night.
Commissioner Dietz stated that the council may object to having meetings on an additional day in the
month.
Mr. O'Neil stated, if the Commission was interested, they could continue this discussion. Commissioner
Beaudry was not in favor of making a change.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Caswell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to approve the
following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 5-0.
6.1 DRAFT Minutes - December 1, 2025
6.2 Check Register
6.3 Balance Sheet
6.4 Revenue/Expenditure Reports
7. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for open forum.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
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January 5, 2026
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8.1 Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update
Mr. Mollan stated all accounts look good and there are no new loans.
Mr. O'Neil followed up on Commission questions regarding Center for Energy and Environment (CEE)
fees. The HRA pays a per-loan origination fee and the borrower pays a 1% origination fee to cover
what the CEE needs to close the loan.
Point of Order: Commissioner Ovall referenced the Consent Agenda and observed that the Balance
Sheet and Revenue/Expenditure Reports from the packet were for the EDA rather than the HRA.
Staff recommended amending the approval of the Consent Agenda to remove these items.
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Caswell to remove Item
6.3 Balance Sheet and 6.4 Revenue/Expenditure Reports from the approved Consent
Agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
9. OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr. O'Neil updated the HRA that he had received some contacts from residential developers. He also
stated a TIF application may be coming to the Joint Finance Commission in the next couple months.
10. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to adjourn the
meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
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Nate Ovall, Chair
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Jolene Richter, Deputy City Clerk