07-29-2002 CC MIN - SPECIAL-JOINTSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, JULY 29, 2002
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Counc/lmembers Present:
Staff Present:
Chair Toth, Commissioners Motin, Thompson and Wilson
Commissioner Lieser
Mayor IQ.Lnzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Tveite, Motto and
Kuester
Catherine Mehelich - Executive Director, Heidi Hall - Economic
Development Assistant, Michele McPherson - Director of
Planning, Chris Leeseberg - Planner and Steve Rohl£- Building &
Zoning Actmimstrator
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk Privet Housing and
Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chair Toth.
Consider July 29, 2002 HRA Agenda
COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 29, 2002, HRA
AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA
AS FOLLOWS:
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
JUNE 24, 2002 HRA MINUTES
CHECK REGISTER
REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT
BALANCE SHEET
COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
Open Mike
There ~vas no one present for Open Mike.
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July 29, 2002
Page 2
Housing Rehab/ikation Programs
Economic Development Assistant Heidi Hall reported on research completed by staff
regarding other communities' housing rehabilitation programs. Chair Toth expressed interest
in how other communities initiated their programs. Commissioner Modn inquired of the
average net cost of running a program similar to Fridley's Housing Replacement Program,
and expressed concern that the HIC& might have problems funding a housing program at
d~is time.
Director of Planmng, Michele McPherson stated she ~vas employed for 12 years by the City
of Fddley. Ms. McPherson explained that a basic analysis of Fridley's housing stock led city
leaders to believe that Fridley was in need of a housing rehabilitation program. Chair Toth
stated that the City of Elk River should not "reinvent the wheel" when inidadng a housing
program, rather look to other communities that have e,,dsting housing programs.
Joint Meeting with the City Council - Affordable Housing Update
Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich indicated that the developer xvho
had proposed the Jackson Ave. apartment project had withdrawn from the project. Ms.
Mehelich reported that staff met with the City's f'mancial advisors, Ehlers and Associates,
regarding potential financing mechanisms for affordable housing projects. Ms. Mehelich
indicated that Ehlers suggested that it might be more workable for the city to consider
f'mancing options for single-hmily affordable housing initiatives because of the comple>ddes
and staff time required for multi*family projects. Ehlers also suggested that the City
consider developing a program that would remove substandard homes to be replaced by
new homes.
Ms. Mehelich indicated that staff would be working with the Planning Department to
conduct a detailed analysis of the city's housing stock after the GIS system is up and
running.
Mayor Ktinzing indicated that the housing stock in ELk River appears to be aging and that
some homes appear to be slightly blighted. Mayor Klinzing agreed that the first step in
initiating a housing program is for staff to complete an inventory of Elk River's e,,dstmg
housing stock.
Ms. Mehelich stated that following the inventory staff will consider specific programs that
may be initiated in the City of Elk River and attach some dollar amounts to those programs
for further discussion by the H_RA. Mayor Iadinzing mentioned that there are housing
programs that can be utilized by communities without the local government's involvement.
Ms. Mehelich agreed and added that the City of Elk River could be a resource in those
instances.
Downtown Revitalization Project
7.1 Consider Acceptance of Context Study
Building & Zoning Administrator Steve Rohlf indicated that staff is requesting the
H_tC~k and City Council consider acceptance of the study in accordance to revisions
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July 29, 2002
Page 3
made by Carole Zellie of Landscape Research. Nix. Rohlf indicated that Ms. ZeIlie
completed the study and fulfilled its purpose to provide a framework to evaluate the
historic significance of inventoried properties and the completion of the Phase II
inventory, of downto,~vn properties. Nfr. Rohlf added that it is the Heritage
Preservation Comrmssion's job to analyze the local significance of buildings located
in Elk River and that the Commission will be providing a recommendation as
outlined in the ordinance.
COMMISSIONER MOTION MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HISTORIC
CONTEXT STUDY AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER WILSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
7.2 Feedback from July 17, 2002 Public Open House
Cathenne Mehel/ch indicated that approximately 50 people attended the Developer
Open House, which provided the public with the opportunity to meet the three
developers being interviewed by the HRA for the Downtown Revitalization Project.
Ms. Mehelich stated that the pubt/c was also able to review the developers concepts,
ask questions of the developers and provide feedback to the HtLA and Council
regarding likes, dislikes, and issues of concern. Ms. Mehelich reported that fifteen
public comment forms were completed and submitted to the H1LA and Council for
review.
7.3 Developer Interviews
On June 24, 2002 the HRA selected three finalist developers to intervie~v for the
Downtown Revitalization Project. The finalists, TOLD Development Company,
Best and Hempel, and MetroPlains were each allotted 45 minutes to provide the
HRA and Council with a 20-minute presentation and a 25-minute quesdon and
answer session. The HRA and Council provided staff with input on the prepared
questions regarding the developers' experience in financing and designing similar
projects.
Jim Prosser of Ehlers and Associates provided six points for the HP~ and Council
to consider when selecting a developer. First, each member of the HRA and
Council should reflect upon what is important to him or herself personally,
regarding the future of the do~vntown and to select a developer who is able to
achieve those important items. Second, recognize that there is no perfect developer.
Third, remember that any redevelopment activity requires a relationship between the
community and the developer. Fourth, embrace the comple.,dty of redevelopment.
Fifth, work to achieve a consensus between the HRA and Council and sLxth, reflect
upon the interviews.
Following the interviews, it was the consensus of the I4_RA to select a developer for
the Downtown Revitalization Project at its August 26, 2002 regular meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING
FOR AUGUST 26, 2002 AT 5:00 P.M. FOR PURPOSE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO ATTEND THE HRA MEETING REGARDING
SELECTION OF A DEVELOPER. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
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July 29, 2002
Page 4
.Adjournment
There being no other business, COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO ADJOURN
THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
The meeting of the Elk P,.iver Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Heidi Hall
Economic DeveloPment Assistant