Loading...
01-03-2005 HR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 2005 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser, Motin, and Toth Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, and Recording Secretary Jessica Miller 1. 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 5:05 p.m. by Chair Wilson. 2. Consider January 3, 2005 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 3, 2005, HRA AGENDA. MOTION ('.ARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. CONSIDER DECEMBER 6, 2004 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5. Annual Meeting Business a. Election of Officers MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO NOMINATE STEWART WILSON AS CHAIlZ OF THE HRA FOR 2005. There being no further nominations, MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Chair Wilson abstained. Housing & Redevelopment Authority January 3, 2005 ---------------------------- VICE CHAIR Page 2 MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO NOMINATE PAUL MOTIN AS VICE CHAIR OF THE HRA FOR 2005. There being no other nominations, MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Commssioner Motin abstained. SECRETARY MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO NOMINATE JEAN LIESER AS SECRETARY FOR THE HRA FOR 2005. There being no other nominations, MOTION ('ARRTF.D 5-0. b. Appoint Executive Director Chair Wilson indicated that he has spoken to Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich and Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz regarding appointment of the Assistant Director of Economic Development as Interim Executive Director of the HRA. He stated that the HRA could appoint Ms. Steinmetz as Interim Executive Director if they wish. Ms. Mehelich indicated that the main duties of the Interim Executive Director would be to code invoices and sign appropriate resolutions if necessary in the Executive Director's absence and that Ms. Steinmetz could perform these duties. Commissioner Motin stated that he doesn't remember using the term Interim Executive Director before and stated that it is not in the bylaws so the HRA may want to consider adding it. Ms. Mehelich stated that the Interim Executive Director position is not covered by the bylaws and staff will check with Legal Counsel to see if it should be added. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPOINT CATHERINE MEHELICH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HEIDI STEINMETZ AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 2005. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. c. Designate Official Newspaper MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO DESIGNATE THE STAR NEWS AS THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE HRA FOR 2005. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. d. Designate Official Depositories Commissioner Motin indicated that the HRA depositories should be identical to the depositories designated by the City Council. Commissioner Motin stated that Riverview Community Bank in C-tsego is included to be designated as a City Council depository and should be added to the HRA depository list. Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 3 January 3, 2005 MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO DESIGNATE THE FOLLOWING OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR THE HRA FOR 2005: • FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ELK RIVER • 4M FUND • WELLS FARGO BANK • THE BANK OF ELK RIVER • USBANK • RIVERVIEW COMMUNITY BANK OF OTSEGO (Contingent upon City Council designation of this bank as a depository) MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Comnussioner Toth voted against. Conunissioner Toth stated that he doesn't believe it is necessary to designate banks outside Elk River as official depositories. e. Discussion of Bylaws and anv Suggested Amendments Ms. Mehelich reviewed the proposed changes to the HRA Bylaw Sections 2.1 and 2.5 regarding moving the HRA Annual Meeting and Regular Meeting Times. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BYLAW SECTIONS 2.1 AND 2.5: 2.1.) ANNUAL MEETING - "ANYANNUAL MEETING FALLING UPON A HOLIDAY SHALL BE HELD ON THE NEXT FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAYAT THE SAME TIME AND LOCATION." 2.5.) REGULAR MEETING - "ANYREGULAR MEETING FALLING UPON A HOLIDAY SHALL BE HELD ON THE NEXT FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAYAT THE SAME TIME AND LOCATION." MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich stated that the HRA and City Council both approved the final development agreement with MetroPlains Development for the Downtown Revitalization Project. Ms. Mehelich stated that the amendments made by the HRA have been included in the final agreement and the agreement has recently been executed by the city and the developer. She stated that MetroPlains is continuing to make progress on finalizing a purchase agreement with the final two Bluff Block properties, US Bank and Nadeaus. Housing & Redevelopment Authority January 3, 2005 Page 4 ----------------- Ms. Mehelich indicated that a Q&A Newsletter will be distributed in the January 5, 2005, addition of the Star News. She also indicated that staff is continuing to develop a communication plan to be implemented during the construction phase of the project that will address different forms of communication based on the audience relating to project construction. King Azure Parking Lot Im~irozt Ms. Mehelich stated that Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz will be having the first meeting of the recently formed King Avenue Parking Lot Task Force on January 4, 2005. Ms. Mehelich noted that City Engineer Terry Maurer will also be present at this first meeting to present the draft parking lot plans. The Task Force will be discussing its mission goals and will provide input on design plans. Riu~r-'s Edge C~spa~ brc~rozr~raents Ms. Mehelich indicated that staff is developing a design for improvements to the River's Edge Greenspace/Park. She stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission is expected to review and approve a plan in February or March 2005. Ms. Mehelich noted that the park dedication fee from the Bluff and Jackson Block projects will be used to pay for downtown park improvements. Commissioner Motin questioned if staff is planning on relocating the gazebo. Ms. Mehelich stated that the plan is to relocate it if the structure can be maintained. She stated that she has spoken to Building and Environmental Administrator Steve Rohlf and he indicated that the gazebo should be able to be moved as long as it is done carefully. Ms. Mehelich also stated that staff would like to relocate the flag and flagpole from Jackson Square but it is unclear if the flagpole can be moved. C~sttiuctio~z StagmgPlan Ms. Mehelich stated that the City Council recently reviewed and approved a construction staging plan from MetroPlains Development. Ms. Mehelich reviewed the plan with the HRA and discussed the changes that have been made to the drawing. Commissioner Lieser questioned if the old Boelter's station corner could be used as additional parking. Ms. Mehelich stated that the property is owned by the Bank of Elk River and they plan to use it for employee parking. Chair Wilson stated that he believes it is the bank's intention to have employees currently parking in Jackson Square to park on that corner which will in turn free up downtown parking space. Ms. Mehelich noted that the HRA will continue to receive monthly project updates. 7. Update on Refined Concept Option for Downtown North of Highway 10 Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz stated that at the HRA's last meeting, it was the consensus that the HRA is not interested in circulating a Request for Proposals for the downtown north of Highway 10 area but they would like to see the concept option used as a guiding document for redevelopment proposals and inquiries from the private sector. Ms. Steinmetz indicated that the HRA also asked for additional information on the following issues regarding the area: Clarifuation on tlae amdition of the utilities locat~l in tlae Jackson Azure (bet~ri Jackson and Irvin Aznre Ms. Steinmetz stated that Bryan Adams, General Manager of Elk River Municipal Utilities, indicated to staff that there is a single phase overhead line that would be put underground if Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 5 January 3, 2005 redevelopment occurs. She also stated that Mr. Adams indicated that there have been issues with the water quality on 6th and 7th Streets between Gates and Irving Avenues. It was noted that 6th and 7th Avenues are to be redone with the Street Rehabilitation Program in 2007 but Mr. Adams would suggest the water issues be fixed prior to that if redevelopment would occur. Status o Arrrnv Building Center Site Ms. Steinmetz indicated that she spoke to David Majeski, president of Arrow Building Center, regarding the status of the property. She stated that Mr. Majeski indicated that the property is for sale and that he has received two inquiries for retail/housing projects. Ms. Steinmetz noted that Mr. Majeski is not interested in leasing the property. It was questioned if Mr. Majeski is aware of the city's vision for the area. Ms. Steinmetz stated that she will advise him. Commissioner Motin questioned how long a building can remain vacant before it loses its grandfathered zoning status. Ms. Steinmetz indicated that she will check on and report back at the next HRA meeting. Parking Recluits for West Side of Irving Azaure Ms. Steinmetz stated that the concept option indicated both mixed use and single-family rehabilitation west of Irving Avenue. She provided a summary of the parking requirements for the area. Ms. Steinmetz noted that if the property remains zoned mixed use, that surface and underground parking would be required. It was the consensus of the HRA for staff to continue to utilize the concept option when responding to redevelopment proposals and inquiries from the private sector and that staff will continue to monitor the area and update the HRA as needed. 8. Discuss Housing Programs 8.1. Minnesota City Participation Program~lVICCP~ Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz explained the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's (IVIHFA) Minnesota City Participation Program (MCPP). She noted that the Elk River HRA has not participated in the program since 1996, however, Sherburne County has applied and been awarded an allocation for the last several years. Ms. Steinmetz stated that the Sherburne County Administrator has indicated to staff that Sherburne County will be applying to participate in this program in 2005; therefore, staff does not recommend a separate city application. It was the consensus of the HRA for the city to not apply for the MCPP program in 2005. 8.2. HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz explained the HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program. Ms. Steinmetz indicated that as in the past, staff will forward the Central MN Housing Partnership (C1vH') newsletter, selection criteria, and the 2005 allocation plan to Elk River apartment property owners/managers. Commissioner Kuester questioned if EDA staff coordinates this information with the Building Department for when they do their apartment inspections. Ms. Steinmetz stated Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 6 January 3, 2005 ---------------------------- that the only information that is currently shared is the list of Elk River apartment property owners/managers. Commissioner Kuester indicated that the CNH' is holding a class in Elk River and asked if it was possible to advertise in the recreation program guide. Chair Wilson stated that he believes that as long as the HRA and staff keep discussing the program that word will reach the apartment property owners/managers. Ms. Steinmetz noted that staff could put information regarding the program on the city's website and cable channel. Confirm Toint HRA, EDA and HPC Meeting for Janus 10 2005 Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz stated that at last month's HRA meeting, the HPC requested a joint HRA, EDA, and HPC meeting for either January 10, 2005 or February 14, 2005. Ms. Steinmetz indicated that the HRA preferred January 10, 2005 and the EDA concurred; therefore, the joint meeting will be held at the January 10 regular EDA meeting at 5:30 p.m. 10. Other Business There was no other business. 11. Adjournment. There being no further business, MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 5:58 p.m. ~~~ essica Miller Recording Secretary