Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180402_EDA_MinutesECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF April 2, 2018 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President, Marlaine Szurek. Members Present: Murzyn, Schmitt, Buesgens, Williams, Novitsky, Herringer and Szurek Staff Present: Walt Fehst, Keith Dahl, JosephHogeboom, and Shelley Hanson Lenny Austin and Jason Nihart from the Police Dept. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - RECITED CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve minutes of February 5, 2018 and March 26, 2018 2. Approve Financial Report & Payment of Bills for January and February, 2018 — Resolution 2018 -04 Questions from Members: Herringer questioned whether the payment to Hoisington Koegler Group was the full amount being paid for the Comp Plan Work. Dahl responded that the amount indicated is a partial payment, and shows up on the report as it comes through the 420 account, but the EDA is not actually paying this amount. The City transfers funds to the 420 account to cover the expense. Buesgens asked what the payment to NE Bank for $121,000 was for. Dahl stated it was a wire transfer to cover the purchase of the property at 4827 University Ave. Motion by Buesgens, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the Minutes of February 5 and March 26, 2018, and the Financial Report and payment of Bills for January and February, 2018 as presented. All ayes. MOTIONPASSED. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-04 A Resolution of the Economic Development Authority of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, Approving the Financial Statements for the Months of January and February 2018 and the Payment of the Bills for the Months of January and February 2018. 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 WHEREAS, the financial statement for the months of January and February 2018 has been reviewed by the EDA Commission; and EDA Minutes Page 2 April 2, 2018 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. ORDER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Passed this 2nd day of Aril 2018 Offered by: Buesgens Seconded by: Schmitt Roll Call: All ayes BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Facade Improvement Grant Program Discussion Dahl reminded members that on February 5, 2018, the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (the "EDA ") directed staff to collaborate with the Columbia Heights Police Department (the "CHPD ") to develop a grant program to encourage the revitalization, rehabilitation, and restoration of exterior facades, but also to increase the presence of security throughout the Central Avenue NE commercial corridor in the City of Columbia Heights (the "City "). Therefore, staff worked with the CHPD to develop the Facade Improvement Grant Program (the "Grant Program "). Dahl stated that the initial draft documents of the guidelines and budget overview for the Grant Program, as well as a crime overlay map to delineate where the crime incident rate has been more prevalent along Central Avenue NE was included in the agenda packets for their review. Dahl told members that staff met with representatives from Target Corp. to obtain information on their system and the quality of cameras they use. Since the Police Dept. would have access to the videos, they wanted to know the clarity of the surveillance tapes produced by these cameras. Staff, including the CHPD, was on hand to answer questions, and discuss options. No action is required at this time. EDA Minutes Page 3 April 2, 2018 Questions /comments from members: Szurek asked if the grant for the facade improvements and security cameras were linked. Dahl stated, yes. The EDA would give a grant of 50 %, up to $5,000 for the facade work, and if the business is in a high risk area, the EDA would pay to have security cameras installed, over and above the grant amount. Herringer clarified that the business would not be paying for the surveillance cameras. Dahl stated that is correct. He explained that the City would actually own the camera system and would have the access to the videos. We will enter into a lease agreement with the business for a period of five years to place them at their business and the City would be responsible for the annual maintenance of the system. Herringer asked if any other city does this. Dahl stated that Minneapolis has a program in place, but it is different than the proposed one. Herringer asked if they could be installed on light posts or street signs rather than on the businesses. Austin said they could but felt due to the range of the cameras, they'd work better on particular businesses. Chief Austin said this proposed program ties together the improvement to the facade of the building as well as the security camera system. This will clean up the exterior of the buildings which will also help reduce crime. This way we are supporting our business community as we both invest in making the City more visibly attractive and safer overall. Herringer asked whether the business had to do facade improvements in order to get a security camera. Dahl said, yes and that the target area to start the program would be from 37th to 45th, along Central Avenue. It is not for properties used as residences, or for Corporate owned -chain businesses. Fehst asked is we wanted to continue for a longer period than five years, can we make that happen. Dahl said that language would incorporated into the lease agreement to allow for the lease to be extended depending on the success the security cameras have on reducing crime. The expected life span of a security camera system is approximately 5 -6 years, so that is why a five year lease period was suggested. Schmitt asked if there would be a payment required for the lease agreement, since it is a general rule that some type of "consideration" be established. Dahl said he had discussed this with the City Attorney and that $1.00 /year would be paid by the City to the business owner for the placement of the cameras. She then asked what the cost would be to maintain the cameras on an annual basis or to replace them if necessary. Dahl said he didn't have that information yet. She asked how often the Police would look at the tapes. Chief Austin said that would depend on the time of year and the amount of crime taking place near a particular location. Buesgens asked how they would know if a camera quit working and needed repair. Dahl said that is yet to be determined. He expects that they would have to be tested annually by City staff or someone from the Police Dept. Buesgens thought it sounded like a good program. Novitsky thought it would add to the Community Policing Program we already have in place. Schmitt asked what would happen to the cameras or the lease if a business moves out during the five year period. Dahl said language would be included in the initial lease that states that the lease automatically transfers to the next owner, and that the new owner must be made aware of that prior to the transfer of ownership. The lease agreement and the camera system go with the property rather than an individual. She then asked who would pay utilities to run the cameras if the building becomes vacant. Dahl said that is a good point and something we would have to address in the lease agreement. Hogeboom concurred that language would be put in the lease that we have the right to access the system and to keep it operating. EDA Minutes Page 4 April 2, 2018 Dahl asked members if they want the business owners to have access to the videos. The members agreed that the camera systems should be locked and secured and if an owner would want access to the video, they should be required to make a request to the Police Dept. This would eliminate anyone from tampering with possible evidence of a crime. Dahl told members that if the EDA appropriated $50,000 approximately 6 -9 grants could be provided for the first year. He asked members if they had a preference whether they wanted grants awarded on a "first come ", "first served" basis or whether a business owner should submit an application and then the City would pick and choose which businesses are awarded the grant based on high priority targets of where we want to locate the cameras. If we go through a selection process, businesses would be allowed to re -apply the following year if they are not chosen on the first go around. Members thought businesses should apply by a given date and then the City would go through a selection process. Schmitt thought it would be great if several businesses that were grouped together would apply. This would help coordinate the facades of building to be similar and blend into a more aesthetically, block by block, look. Dahl told members he would work with Barna, Guzy, Steffen to develop a lease agreement and finalized the guidelines during April and May and bring it back to the EDA for approval. OTHER BUSINESS No other business was discussed. Motion by Novitsky, seconded by Mug^ yn to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 pin. All ayes. Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hanson Secretary