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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDA MIN 04-06-15 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APRIL 6, 2015 IN CONFERENCE ROOM 1 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chair Peterson. Members Present: Bruce Nawrocki, Donna Schmitt, Gary Peterson, John Murzyn, Marlaine Szurek, Gerry Herringer, and Bobby Williams (arrived at 6:35 pm). Staff Present: Walt Fehst, Joseph Hogeboom, Loren Wickham, and Shelley Hanson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- RECITED 1.CONSENT ITEMS 1.Approve the Minutes from March 2, 2015. It was noted that they were not included in the agenda packets so they will be approved at the May meeting. 2.Approve the Financial Report and Payment of Bills for February 2015 on Resolution 2015-04. Questions by Members: Herringer asked what the payments to Carolyn Laine and Lighthouse Acquisitions were for. Hogeboom stated the Laine payment was for a rebate for housing improvements and the Lighthouse payment was for the 2014 annual tax abatement. He then asked what the revenue amount of $25,500 was for. The members were told it was the 2014 administration/servicing fees for Parkview Villa North. Motion by Szurek, seconded by Herringer, to waive the reading of Resolution 2015-04, there being an ample amount of copies available to the public. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Szurek, seconded by Schmitt, to approve Resolution 2015-04 Approving the Financial Statement and Payment of Bills for February 2015. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. EDA RESOLUTION 2015-04 RESOLUTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) APPROVING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR FEBRUARY 2015 AND PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2015. WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (EDA) is required by Minnesota Statutes Section 469.096, Subd. 9, to prepare a detailed financial statement which shows all receipts and disbursements, their nature, the money on hand, the purposes to which the money on hand is to be applied, the EDA's credits and assets and its outstanding liabilities; and WHEREAS, said Statute also requires the EDA to examine the statement and treasurer's vouchers or bills and if correct, to approve them by resolution and enter the resolution in its records; and EDA MINUTES Page 2 April 6, 2015 WHEREAS, the financial statement for the month of February 2015 has been reviewed by the EDA Commission; and WHEREAS, the EDA has examined the financial statements and finds them to be acceptable as to both form and accuracy; and WHEREAS, the EDA Commission has other means to verify the intent of Section 469.096, Subd. 9, including but not limited to Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, Annual City approved Budgets, Audits and similar documentation; and WHEREAS, financials statements are held by the City’s Finance Department in a method outlined by the State of Minnesota’s Records Retention Schedule, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority that it has examined the referenced financial statements including the check history, and they are found to be correct, as to form and content; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the financial statements are acknowledged and received and the check history as presented in writing is approved for payment out of proper funds; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution is made a part of the permanent records of the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority. Passed this 6th day of April, 2015 MOTION BY: Szurek SECONDED BY: Schmitt AYES: All ayes __________________________________ President Attest By: ______________________ Secretary NEW BUSINESS 1.EDA Goals and Objectives Discussion- In early 2014, the EDA participated in a group planning process, facilitated by Ehler’s which resulted in a Strategic Planning Guide. Staff thought this would be a good opportunity to discuss the goals and objectives to ensure continued focus on those identified in the Plan. Hogeboom reviewed the goals with the members and the progress that has been made thus far. He said some of the target dates were a little ambitious, but staff continues to work on them. EDA Minutes Page 3 April 6, 2015 Hogeboom explained that Goal #1 (enhance City Image) has been addressed with the Branding Campaign. He acknowledged that this project took longer than anticipated but the final design and logo th will be presented at the April 27 City Council meeting. Hogeboom stated that staff attempted to establish a neighborhood group which was part of Strategy #3, but found there were very few interested participants. Nawrocki said the Police Dept. has had some success reaching out to defined neighborhood areas and maybe that could be expanded by other departments. Hogeboom will discuss this possibility with Police staff. There was some discussion about publicity and the use of social media to promote city events. Schmitt feels the City could do a better job with this. Hogeboom said some of this will be tweaked once the branding and logo is approved. He said calendars are automatically being placed on Facebook now. Goal #2 (determine location for City Library) – Hogeboom said this has been done. Use of the extra land still needs to be determined. Nawrocki stated this may be difficult since the piece will be quite a ways off Central so exposure is limited. Hogeboom agreed and said a lot will depend on whether Heights Rental remains there or relocates. Goal #3 (create redevelopment plan for Central Ave that will contribute to stability of businesses) – The Jim McComb study accomplished some of the strategies. Fehst told members that Bob Streetar has some students that are looking for a project to work on that would collect further data and then suggest development plans that could work in the area. Hogeboom stated the new Open to Business program that is provided by Anoka County also meets strategy #5. There was some discussion about strategy #6 and enforcement of the sign ordinance. Nawrocki commented about Jimmy’s Pool Hall painted storefront and how that is in violation of our ordinance and he thinks staff should enforce it even if it is after the fact. Hogeboom said staff recently did a “sign blitz” along Central Avenue notifying owners who are in violation mainly because of temporary signage issues. Goal #4 (Housing programs and managing the number of rental properties) – Staff continues to work on development of the vacant lots, establishing a plan for the Heritage Heights and Circle Terrace area properties, and various housing assistance programs available to our residents. A new agreement for the scattered site program will come before the members in May and staff will also provide information on what other cities are doing in regards to Point of Sale Inspection programs. Goal #5 (Invest in City infrastructure) – Hogeboom said the 2018 comprehensive Plan Update will address a lot of these items. Nawrocki stated he would like to see an analysis of the Plan indicating the percentage of what has been accomplished thus far. Hogeboom said staff will work on that and provide a summary. EDA Minutes Page 4 April 6, 2015 Scattered Site Housing Program Update- 2. Wickham explained that the EDA approved a Scattered Site Housing Program in 2013. This Agreement is expiring in May. The program consists of 3 components: 1. Master Listing Agreement: ReMax –Pete Heryla & John Rockwell Master. This document is an agreement with the EDA and Pete Heryla and John Rockwell to list and market the lots for sale currently at a sales price of $7,500 each. 2.Purchase and Redevelopment Agreement. This document is an agreement with the EDA and Timbercraft Homes. A Purchase and Redevelopment Agreement is required for the sale of each lot. This agreement determines the sales price, the model home type and completion date. Model Homes. 3.Timbercraft Homes currently provides 2 EDA approved models for buyers to choose from. Wickham told members there are some changes that could be made before renewing an agreement. Some of the ideas staff was seeking feedback on are the following items:  Staff recommends that we continue to utilize ReMax-Pete Heryla & John Rockwell as the listing agents for the program.  Staff recommends that ReMax reevaluate lot prices. Some may go up or down depending on location.  Staff recommends creating a set of design guidelines instead of 1 or 2 models. This would give buyers more options to choose from.  Staff recommends more flexibility for buyers to bring their own builder as long as they can meet the design guidelines.  Staff recommends continuing to require buyers to enter into a purchase and redevelopment agreement.  Staff recommends buyer to construct owner occupied single family housing and for buyers to sign a 10 year deed restriction agreeing to that. Staff is also looking into including additional lots the City and EDA own into the Scattered Sites program. Staff will prepare a map outlining current lots in the program as well as lots to be added for the EDA in May. Because of restrictions with the original funding source for acquisition and demolition the City or EDA may be restricted in adding lots to the program. th Staff will have final documents and recommendations for you at the May 4 EDA meeting. Questions/comments from members: Members concurred that the project has been successful and they are happy with the finished product of those constructed so far. They also were open to consider the suggestions made by staff to encourage continued re-development of the remaining lots. EDA Minutes Page 5 April 6, 2015 6. Allocation of Funds to Rehab Incentive Program-Resolution 2015-05 Staff requests that the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (EDA) authorize the transfer of $525.00 of the allocated funding for the Columbia Heights Deferred Loan Program objective over to the Rehab Incentive Program objective. To honor existing Rehab Incentive Program applications that were submitted in 2014, an additional $525.00 is needed. The Deferred Loan Program currently has a balance of $9,488.62. Both programs are currently funded through the Capital Improvement Development Fund (420). Questions from members: Hogeboom explained there is no more money allocated for the rebate program to continue, so staff is not taking any new applications, however, the amount being requested is to cover the rebates that were in process. He also told members that funds are available to our residents through other entities such as Anoka County and MN Housing Finance Agency, so we are referring people to them. Motion by Williams, seconded by Nawrocki, to waive the reading of Resolution 2015-05, there being an ample amount of copies available. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Williams, seconded by Szurek, to adopt Resolution 2015-05, authorizing the Allocation of $525 within Fund 420 from the Single Family Deferred Loan Program to the Single Family Rehab Incentive Program. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. EDA RESOLUTION NO. 2015-05 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF $525 WITHIN FUND 420 FROM THE SINGLE FAMILY DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM TO THE SINGLE FAMILY REHAB INCENTIVE PROGRAM. WHEREAS , the Economic Development Authority (EDA) established the Single Family Rehab Incentive Program in 2007 to partially subsidize the cost of home remodeling improvements to qualified residents, and WHEREAS, the EDA last authorized funds for the Rehab Incentive Program in May, 2012, and WHEREAS, the Single Family Rehab Incentive Program was intended to sunset when funding ended, and WHEREAS , to honor outstanding program applications, and additional $525.00 is needed to be allocated to the program fund, and WHEREAS , the Single Family Deferred Loan Program contains adequate funding to provide the final transfer. EDA Minutes Page 6 April 6, 2015 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED The Economic Development Authority authorizes the allocation of $525.00 for the Rehab Incentive Program from Fund 420-Department 46409 (Single Family Deferred Loan Program) to Fund 420-Department 46408 (Single Family Rehab Incentive Program). th Passed this 6 day of April, 2015. Offered by: Williams Seconded by: Szurek Roll Call: All ayes __________________________ President __________________________ Walter Fehst, Executive Director OTHER BUSINESS Hogeboom told members there are some staffing issues at Parkview Villa that Staff and CommonBond are working on. The Manager and Asst. Manager have resigned since their jobs were going to be terminated at the time of closing. Staff is working to amend CommonBond’s Contract to allow an Aeon employee to start early with CommonBond still being the responsible party for HUD reporting and enforcement of HUD rules. Hopefully this amendment will be brought to the HRA th at the April 28 meeting. In the meantime, CommonBond has temps covering the office. th Hogeboom said the closing is still scheduled for May 15. Hogeboom told members that there is currently an offer on the NE Business Center. The person interested would like to turn the existing building into an entertainment venue for mid-size concerts and corporate events. He is not seeking any financial assistance. Hogeboom said if he moves forward with the purchase that the new use of the building will go before the Planning & Zoning Commission as well as the City Council for approvals. Hogeboom then passed out a handout from the recent North Metro Home and Garden Show that was sponsored by the Cities of Blaine, Fridley, and Mounds View. He said Spring Lake Park and New Brighton will be re-joining and Columbia Heights has been invited to also join. Hogeboom told members there is a $2,000 one-time fee to join which covers advertising expenses. Hogeboom told members to think about whether they would like Columbia Heights to join in this venture even though it is not held nearby. Nawrocki said he would not be in favor of doing this and the other members said they would consider it at a later time. EDA Minutes Page 7 April 6, 2015 The next regular EDA meeting will be Monday, May 4, 2015 at City Hall at 6:30 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hanson Secretary