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01-04-2010 HRA MINr . r: n/ MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser, Motin and Toth Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Economic Development Assistant Annie Deckert 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 5:30 p.m. by Chair ~Y~ilson. 2. Consider anus 4, 2010 HRA Agenda Commissioner Motin asked that Item 3.6. be removed from the Consent Agenda. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 4, 2010 HRA AGENDA WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: ADD ITEM 7.1. -DISCUSSION REGARDING 356 JACKSON AVENUE PROPERTY. REMOVE ITEM 3.G. -DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FROM CONSENT AGENDA AND PLACE ON REGULAR AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. DECEMBER 7, 2009 HRA MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. BALANCE SHEET 3.4. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.5. DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER 3.7. APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Housing & Redevelopment Authority JanuaiS~ 4, 2010 Page 2 3.6. Designation of Official Depositories Commissioner Motin requested that TCF Bank be added as an official depository, to be consistent with the City Council's official depositoi~~ list. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE LIST OF OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR THE HRA, WITH THE ADDITION OF TCF BANK. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. n Mik - No one appeared for this item. 5. Annual Election of Officers 5.1. -Chair 5.2. -Vice Chair 5.3. -Secretary MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPOINT STEWART WILSON - HRA CHAIR. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LIESER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPOINT LARRY TOTH - HRA VICE CHAIR. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY a COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPOINT JEAN LIESER - HRA SECRETARY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. 2009 Housing Program Summair~ Economic Development Assistant Annie Deckeaa reviewed the Housing Rehab Programs & Foreclosure Initiatives pamphlet prepared by the Economic Development staff. She provided a summary of the 2009 housing program, which includes TRI-CAP, MN Center for Energy & Environment, Central MN Housing Partnership, and Ells River Municipal Utilities programs and rebates. Ms. Deckert stated that the rehabilitation of 10827 1815 Lane acquired tlv:ough the Neighborhood Stabilization Program has been completed and the home will be marketed early in 2010. She noted there is no new activity in the down payment assistance or purchase rehab initiatives. Ms. Deckert stated that staff is working with TRI-CAP to educate local realtors on the NSP program. Ms. Deckert reviewed information regarding the number of foreclosures in 2009. Commissioner Toth asked if staff is actively looking at other properties for possible rehab and resale. Ms. Deckert stated that they will be searching for prospective properties when the current property is completed and sold. She explained that it would be difficult for TRI- CAP and staff to undertake rehabilitation of two properties at once, and also work on the two other NSP initiatives. Housing & Redevelopment Authority January 4, 2010 Page 3 7.1. Discussion Regarding Proper at Tackson Avenue City Administrator Lori Johnson stated that the owner and real estate agent for 356 Jackson has offered to sell d1e property to the HRA for $150,000. Ms. Johnson explained that two previous offers have been received; the first offer was $387,000, and the second was $300,000. The property has been listed and $179,900, most recently. She stated that the HRA would need to determine how this parcel fits into the HRA's priorities. Ms. Johnson discussed the plan to realign Highway 10, noting that the plan involves moving the railroad tracks 70 - 90 feet to the north. She stated drat the subject property would not be needed for die realignment. She noted that die price would include removal of the underground gasoline storage tanks. Ms. Johnson asked if the HRA was interested in acquiring the property. Chair Wilson asked if any environmental clean up would be needed. Ms. Johnson stated that an environmental study would be required to make that determination. Discussion followed regarding die businesses on Railroad Drive and impacts of the realignment. Commissioner Toth stated he felt the whole block would need to be redeveloped. Ms. Johnson stated that the realignment is part of a 30-year plan and has not been funded, and that if die HRA did acquire the parcel, deep would likely be holding it for a long time. Chair Wilson noted that dus area has been covered in previous discussion of the downtown development plan. Commissioner Moon stated that he was not in favor of making a decision of whether or not to purchase the subject parcel at this rime. He stated the issue would be revisited when an approved downtown development plan was in place. Chair Wilson concurred. Commissioner Motin noted drat it may be 30 pears before the realignment happens, and no funds axe available at this time. 7.2. Commissioner Toth Item Corrunissioner Toth stated that dze condition of dze former NAPA building needs to be addressed. Ms. Johnson noted that planning staff and die code enforcement officer are working on this issue with dze property owner. Commissioner Toth stated that the building is an eyesore, but that he is most concerned about safety. 8. Adjournment There being no other business, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Audiorits~ adjourned at 5:54 p.in. Minutes 'prepared by D bbi uebner. .' ~; Tina Allard City Clerk