HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDA MIN 07-16-02COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 16, 2002
CALL TO ORDER- The Regular Meeting of the Columbia Heights Economic Development
Authority (EDA) was called to order by President Ruettimann at 7:16 p.m., Tuesday, July 16,
2002, at Parkview Villa, 965 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
ROLL CALL
Commission Members Present:
Commission Members Absent:
StaffPresent:
Robert Ruettimarm, Patricia Jindra, Marlaine Szurek,
Julierme Wyckoff, and Bruce Nawrocki
Bobby Williams and Gary Peterson
Walt Fehst, Executive Director
Bob Streetar, Deputy Executive Director
Randy Schumacher, Community Development Assistant
Cheryl Bakken, Secretary
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
Move to adopt the minutes of the June 2002, regular meeting as presented in writing.
Financial Report and Payment of Bills
Move to approve Resolution 2002-10, Resolution of the Columbia Heights Economic
Development Authority (EDA) approving the financial statements for June, 2002 and approving
payment of bills for June, 2002.
MOTION by Nawrocki, second by Wyckoff, to adopt the consent agenda items as listed
amending the minutes as follows:
Page 3, Industrial Center Request for Qualifications, paragraph three, should read:
Nawrocki questioned if Awsumb has Industrial Development experience. He also
questioned ffWelsh Companies should not be considered because of the. way he treated the
business owners of the 49'~ and Central (Hilltop) strip mall unfairly.
All ayes. Motion Carried.
Nawrocki asked Bill Elrite, Finance Director how the EDA is doing on an overall basis. Elrite
stated that overall the EDA is doing fine and does not see any problems that may arise this year.
Ruettimann asked if there was a way to simplify the financial report and make it user friendly.
Elrite indicated they couM possibly provide a tally sheet to go in the front of the financial report.
Ruettimann requested staff work with Elrite to develop a one-page summary of the financial
report to be placed before the green section of the report by the next meeting.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Bill Elrite, Finance Director passed out a revised memo and spreadsheet to the Board. Elrite
indicated the memo lists were we are at with our SheffieM Loan Balance. As of 12/31/2001 the
tot~ Sheffield Loans payable was $689, 720. The money has been placed in a reserve rather
Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2002
Page 2 of 3
than paying the loan off because it is a TIF project and when the City took it out we were unclear
of the TIF tax revenue we wouM be receiving. At the present time, it is anticipated the TIF
revenue may payoff the full loan. By having the revenue it provides a backup incase we wouM
experience a shor~all. The HRA levy next year will be the last levy we will have to transfer to
the project. The entire reserve will be available in the future for use at the discretion of the
Board.
Nawrocki asked if the money couldn't be returned to the residents and how much TIF money has
been collected from this area. Elrite indicated funding could be returned to residents or
reallocated for other purposes and that it was approximately as much as $200,000.
APPOINTMENT OF BUSINESS REVOLVING LOAN FUND COMMITTEE
Streetar stated at the April EDA meeting, the Board directed staff to advertise for two more
Business Revolving Loan Fund Committee members to satisfy Bylaw requirements. The current
committee members consist of Ruettimann, Wyckoff, and Erv Bednard. Applications were
received from Joseph Schmidt and Terry Watts, which staff has attached for board review and
approval.
Ruettimann suggested a breakfast meeting with the Southern Anoka County Chamber and
business owners to advertise the program. Bakken indicated staff updated the Columbia Heights
business list in May of this year, which could be used for the mailings.
Streetar suggested a meeting the Commercial loan lenders. Wyckoff asked what kind of
advertising was done. Bakken stated that the Deputy City Clerk, Patty Muscovitz advertised in
the Focus paper along with the other City Commission openings, staff sent personal letters to
recommended individuals and past downtown development members, which came out to
approximately twenty-two letters.
MOTION by Nawrocki, second by Wyckoff, to Appoint Mr. Joseph Schmidt and Ms. Terry
Watts as members of the BRLF Loan Review Committee subject to confirmation by Ruettimann
of their attendance and meeting schedules. All ayes. Motion Carried.
REPORT OF DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Streetar reported on the following:
1. Caribou Coffee - There was an article in the Minneapolis paper on July 7~ indicating
Caribou Coffee was interested in locating in Columbia Heights. Staff has been working
with them and suggested two areas 1) the proposed new strip mall in the Rainbow lot;
and 2) the 37~ and Central block area. They were originally interested in the Hardees
location, but couldn't come to an agreement on the purchase price.
Mady's Site- Dunbar has already proposed some uses for the site. Staff has also
contacted Schaefer Richardson and will be meeting with them on Friday to discuss their
ideas. The Liveable Communities Grant Application for $25,000 was accepted for this
project area.
Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2002
Page 3 of 3
3. United Properties - Staff is working diligently with United Properties to finalize the plan,
which will be presented to City Council on August 12t~.
40~ & University (Conoco)-Staff has received the completed Environmental Study for
the property at 3955 University Avenue. The Environmental Study was just received so
the closing will be postponed until October. This property will be purchased with CDBG
funds.
o
Parkside Village (St. Tim's Project)- The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the
plat and site plan for the townhome project on July 9tn and will be presented to City
Council at their meeting of July 22~ for approval.
Rainbow Site- The developers of the gas station are still planning on building sometime
this summer. For the strip mall, the developer has asked for a one-year extension, as
they cannot find businesses to rent out the units. Staff recommended Caribou Coffee
contact them also.
7. TIF Report- Staff is working with Shelly Eldridge of Ehlers & Associates to update the
status report of all of our TIF Districts, which will be provided at the August meeting.
Other Business
Ruettimann indicated he asked staff to obtain three things that will be available by the next
meeting: 1) a listing of residential and commercial properties; 2) County and State Aid streets;
and 3) a map of the possible redevelopment areas of Columbia Heights.
Wyckoff asked about the Affordable Housing Purchase Agreement that was noted in the Housing
Update for the.. 4607 Tyler Street property. Streetar indicated that staff will be bringing this item
to the Board at the next HRA meeting.
Szurek asked what happens to the 15 homes that were deleted from the scattered site TIF district
under number 10 in the Housing Update. Fehst explained because no improvements were made
to the homes in the allotted timeframe, they would stay in the district and get a new assessment.
ADJOURNMENT
President, Ruettimann, adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Bakken
Recording Secretary
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