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Home My WebLink AboutEDA MIN 01-15-02COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 15, 2002 CALL TO ORDER - The Regular Meeting of the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (EDA) was called to order by Executive Director, Walt Fehst, at 7:11 p.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2002, in the Parkview Villa Community Room B, 965 40t~ Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota. ROLL CALL Commission Members Present: Robert Ruettimann, Patricia Jindra, Marlaine Szurek, Gary Peterson, Julienne Wyckoff, and Bruce Nawrocki Commission Members Absent: Bobby Williams Staff Present: Walt Fehst, Executive Director Randy Schumacher, Acting Community Development Director Anita Kottsick, Parkview Villa Housing Administrator Cheryl Bakken, Secretary OATH OF OFFICE The Oath of Office was administered by Walt Fehst for the re-appointment of Robert Ruettimann. ELECTION OF OFFICERS MOTION by Peterson, seconded by Wyckoff, for a unanimous vote of Robert Ruettimann, President; Pat Jindra, Vice President; Gary Peterson, Treasurer; Cheryl Bakken, Secretary ex-officio; William Elrite, Assistant Treasurer ex-officio; Randy Schumacher, Assistant Secretary ex-officio. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Assistant Treasurer Assistant Secretary Robert Ruettimann Pat Jindra Gary Peterson Cheryl Bakken, Community Development Secretary William Elrite, Finance Director/City Clerk Randy Schumacher, Acting Deputy Executive Director CONSENT AGENDA (These items are considered to be routine by the EDA Board of Commissioners and will be enacted as part of the Consent Agenda by one motion). Adopt the consent agenda items as listed below. 1) Approval of Minutes - regular meeting of December 18 and Special Meeting of December 17, 2001 2) Financial Report and Payment of Bills a. Financial Statement - December, 2001 b. Payment of Bills - December, 2001 MOTION by Nawrocki, second by Szurek, to adopt the consent agenda items as listed. All ayes. Motion Carried. Nawrocki again, requested the Financial Report be revised. Ruettimann clarified that Bill Elrite, Finance Director, has this task on his list of things to do and the Board should see something in the next month or so. Economic Development Authority (EDA) Minutes Janua~, 15, 2002 Page 2 of 5 Report of Management Kottsick reported on December 24, Elevator #2 was down and was reset the same day, and a clamp was replaced on the weekend of December 29~h. Elevator #1 had a broken clamp, which prevented the door from shutting tight. Today the circulating pump seized up, which started the fire alarm and the middle fire doors didn't close. Kottsick expressed her concerns that Parkview isn't getting the proper service as listed in the contract and maybe the EDA should look for another company to perform the services. After so,ne discussion, Ruettimann asked Fehst to meet with Kottsick and the contractor to discuss the maintenance services that should be provided under our contract. Nawrocla' suggested staff draft an agreement of expectations between the EDA and the service company prior to the meeting. Kottsick indicated the original applications for Parkview Villa South do not ask if they would like to be put on a waiting list for a wheelchair accessible unit. It, however, is asked on the annual update. She will add it to the Parkview Villa South application. Administrative Report The North building will have its Annual Inspections starting around the end of January. Kottsick will be on vacation the week of January 21s', but will be within paging range. Karl Wilson and Mary Milsten will be in the office to assist residents. Shirley Barnes, CEO, Crest View Corporation announced the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the 50 Unit Senior Assisted Living Facility will be held February 6, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. Szurek asked if the Management Report and Citizen Forum would be changed to the HRA for all future meetings. Schumacher clarified that Parkview Villa issues will be under the HRA starting in February at which time the bylaws will be revised to reflect the transfer of duties. Citizens Forum Barbara Camp, Apartment 608, indicated the snow has not been removed from the sidewalk on 40'h Avenue, and also wanted to commend Anita Kottisk on the excellent job she did last year of managing Parkview Villa. Fehst stated that Public Works is suppose to clear the walkway and will make sure it is taken care of in the future. Reuben Baker, Apartment 206, requested someone check into two issues; O there is a hole left by the cable company just before the alley behind Parkview; and 2) the road is pitted on 40th and Central going northbound. Fehst will check into these issues also. Peterson recommended if residents see these types of problems, they should contact the City right away. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Presentation by the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation Schumacher indicated staff met with Jennifer Bergman, Program Director for the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) to discuss their Housing Resource Center Program. The program provides free housing services like guidance in purchasing a home, financing, refinancing, or the construction/renovation process through two local offices in Northeast Minneapolis and Shoreview. Economic Development Authority (EDA) Minutes Janua~ 15, 2002 Page 3 of 5 Residents would be able to discuss their individual situation with the Resource Center staff, who will recommend the most effective program available, and assist them through each step of the process. Staff recommended the EDA Board approve an agreement with GMHC to participate in the Housing Resource Center, including the MHFA Rebate Program. He then introduced, Jennifer Bergrnan and Carolyn Olson from GMHC to explain the programs they offer. Carolyn Olson, Program Director gave the Board some background on GMHC. She stated the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation expands the housing resources to residents in the Twin Cities. They are a private non-profit organization, offer upfront redevelopment loans at a low interest rate to non- profit organizations, can provide major renovations to blighted homes, process commercial loans if they have homes attached to them, provide a total service package to residents, monitor of construction, permits and licensing of contractors, etc. just to name a few. Bergman explained that Columbia Heights could "piggyback" onto a new MHFA Rehab Incentive program that GMHC is developing for the North Metro 35W Corridor Coalition that would provide a cash rebate to homeowners who complete home improvement projects calculated as a percentage of construction. Homeowners with incomes at or below 50% of the median get a rebate of 15%; incomes between 50% and 80% receive 12%; incomes between 80% and 115% receive 10% with a maximum rebate of $3,000. The cost for Columbia Heights signing onto the program would be $10,000. Nawrocki negotiated with Bergman to pro-rate the cost of the program due to the fact that it will take approximately three months for them to set it up. Ruettimann indicated the program would fit nicely into the City and EDA 's Goals for the future. Motion by Peterson, second by Wyckoff, to enter into an Agreement with the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC), to participate in the Housing Resource Center Program. Upon Vote: Jindra- aye, Peterson- aye, Nawrocki- aye, Szurek- aye, Wyckoff- aye, Ruettimann- aye. Motion Carried. Nawrocki asked Bergman to provide the Board with a list of homes built by GMHC. Staff will obtain the document from Bergman and distribute to the Board. Approve Application 1998-05, CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program Schumacher reported the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) has prepared a Community Development Block Grant for housing rehabilitation at 4959 5th Street NE in the total amount of $11,520 to replace windows and doors, plumbing and flooring work, as well as make health and safety improvements to the property. The application needs Board approval and then it will be submitted to .dnoka County for reimbursement. MOTION by Peterson, second by Szurek, to approve the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Deferred Grant/Loan Application for Grant #C 1998-05 in the amount of $11,520 for housing rehabilitation to Lloyd's Home Improvement, and the Center for Energy and Environment, subject to meeting all program requirements; and furthermore, to direct staff to submit the loan application to Anoka County and to authorize all related expenses to be reimbursed from Fund 202-46350-4600/3050. All ayes. Motion Carried. Economic Development Authority (EDA) Minutes January I$, 2002 Page 4 of 5 Acquisition of 3722 Central Avenue N.E. $chumacher indicated in June of 2000, the EDA Board made a decision to use Community Development Block Grant Funds to purchase non-conforming single-family homes along Central Avenue for redevelopment purposes. The property at 3722 Central was appraised at $89,000 by Malcom Vr'atson using a sales comparison approach. Due to the non-conforming use of the home Watson reduced the value by $16,500, which brought the appraisal down to $72,000. The owner at 3722 Central Avenue agreed on a purchase price of $80, 000 with an allocation of $1,5OO for moving expenses. Staff drafted the Purchase Agreement, Rent Back Agreement, and Waiver of Relocation Benefits. Staff recommended the EDA Board make recommendation_to City Council for approval ora Resolution authorizing the purchase of 3 722 Central Avenue for $80,000, with $1,500 additional funds for moving expenses from the Community Development Block Grant Commercial Revitalization fund. MOTION by Peterson, second by Szurek, to recommend to the Columbia Heights City Council, the adoption of a Resolution to purchase the'property at 3722 Central Avenue for $80,000 and funds to be taken from the Community Development Block Grant Commercial Revitalization account and in addition, to allocate $1,500 for moving expenses from the same CDBG Fund. Upon Vote: Jindra- aye, Peterson- aye, Nawrocki- Nay, Szurek- aye, Wyckoff- aye, Ruettimann- aye. Motion Carried. Nawrocki stated that because the EDA does not have a stated purpose for the property he voted against the motion. Ruettimann stated that an opportunity arose for the City to move forward with commercial redevelopment, therefore, he voted in favor of the motion. Fehst indicated this is one of the top 5priorities on the 2002 Goals list that was established a week ago. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Center for Energy and Environment Agreement Schumacher indicated that CEE has negotiated an agreement for the EDA with Anoka County to extend the Rehabilitation Grant funds for three more months, which would give CEE time to finalize the last three grants. Development of Lomianki Park Fehst indicated he met with Bruce Nedegaard in regards to the development of the south side of Lomianki Park. Nedegaard would like a six month agreement from the City for redevelopment purposes to allow predevelopment plans for a townhome development. Fehst will provide Councilmembers information prior to the worksession. Nawrocki indicated he met with a developer and felt they would be very qualified to bid on work in the City. Fehst stated that when the City Council makes the decision to move forward with the bidding process we will make sure that the developer gets a copy sent to them. Ruettimann stated that he felt the 2002 Goals developed from the planning meeting that was held, not be published in the Heights Happening, as nothing on the list has officially been decided upon, and may cause some confusion and speculation by residents. Fehst and Schumacher will discuss this further before deciding what will be published Economic Development Authority (EDA) Minutes January 15, 2002 Page 5 of 5 MEETINGS The next EDA meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2002 in Community Room B at Park-view Villa. ADJOURNMENT President, Ruettimann, adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Bakken Recording Secretary H:\ EDAminutes2002\ 1-15-2002