HomeMy WebLinkAbout20191104_EDA_minutesECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
NOVEMBER 4, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by President Szurek.
Members Present: Murzyn, Novitsky,
Buesgens, Schmitt, Herringer, and Szurek. Williams arrived at 6:23 pm after the Traffic Commission meeting.
Staff Present: Kelli Bourgeois (City Manager), Aaron Chirpich (Community
Development Director), Mitch Forney (Community Development Coordinator), and Shelley Hanson (Secretary).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- RECITED
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve the minutes
from the meeting of October 7, 2019.
2. Approve Financial Report and Payment of Bills for September 2019-Resolution 2019-22
Herringer inquired about the payment to LHB Inc. Chirpich
told him it was payment to the company that did the blight assessment for TIF eligibility on the NE Business Center prior to our purchase. Herringer then asked about the payment to
Xcel Energy in the amount of $1,030.04 Chirpich told the members that it is the electric bill for the NE Business Center for operation of the antennas. He said staff will check the
lease agreement to see if Crown Castle is responsible for reimbursing us for this cost.
Motion by Buesgens, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the consent agenda as presented. All ayes.
MOTION PASSED.
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, APPROVING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
2019, AND THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2019.
WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (the “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 outstand ing 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 month of January 2019 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
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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 4th day of November, 2019
Offered by:
Buesgens
Seconded by:
Schmitt
Roll Call:
All ayes
P
resident
Attest:
Assistant Secretary
BUSINESS ITEMS
5. Approval of Demolition and Regrading Contract for 4827 University Avenue
Forney explained that the EDA needs to
approve the bid amount and contract for the demolition and regrading of 4827 University Ave NE. He reminded members that in 2018 the EDA purchased the property located at 4827 University
Ave NE through the commercial revitalization program. It was the ultimate goal of the EDA to demolish the single-family residential house on the property, and prepare the site for redevelopment.
With this intent in mind, Community Development staff reached out to the new fire chief to see if the fire department would like to utilize the home for a training burn, and the chief
was excited to pursue the opportunity. On October 27th the fire department burned down the single-family structure located at 4827 University Ave.
Now that the home has been partially
burned down, the next step in the process is to demolish and regrade the lot. Included on the lot are certain site improvements such as retaining walls, a standalone garage, and remnants
of the burned structure. Community Development staff began the bidding process for the demolition of site improvements
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and the regrading of the
lot. In response to the request for quotes, the EDA received 1 bid. Through speaking with the other potential demolition companies many did not have the ability to take on another project
for the 2019 construction season.
Forney told members the quote submitted by JACON LLC, for $18,875 meets all of the project requirements outlined in the bid specifications. JACON
LLC shall furnish the services and necessary equipment to complete all requirements specified in the scope of work. All work will be performed in accordance with OSHA regulations and
any applicable Federal and State regulations.
Therefore, Staff recommends awarding the bid for demolition and regrading of 4827 University Ave NE to JACON LLC.
Questions/comments
from members:
Murzyn told staff to make sure the company will use clean fill and that it will be compacted well. Forney and Chirpich assured members that those issues were written
into the bid specs and that it will be 95% compacted.
Szurek asked if the lot would remain empty for now. Forney said that it will probably be combined with the lot next door within
the next few months which will make it more attractive for redevelopment. Szurek asked again about only getting one bid. Forney stated that JACON was the only company that felt they
could get it done by the end of December.
Herringer asked what the property is zoned. Forney told him it is zoned General Business, so it should be developed as a business use. Schmitt
asked if the Comp Plan indicated a specific use for this site. Chirpich stated he didn’t think the Plan guided it as anything specific.
Motion by Schmitt, seconded by Novitsky,
to accept the proposal from JACON LLC, in the amount of $18,875, for the demolition of all site improvements and the regrading of the lot located at 4827 University Ave NE; and furthermore,
to authorize the President and Executive Director to enter into an agreement for the same. All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
OTHER BUSINESS
Update on the Façade Improvement Grant Program
Mitch
told members that several properties along 40th Avenue have made their improvements under the Grant Program. Big Stop Market has their awnings up, Hairatage has installed awnings and
concrete planters, Embroidery and More has re-stuccoed and painted their building, and Miller’s Bar & Grill is getting bids for their awnings. On Central Avenue, El Tequila is getting
new windows and Heights Theater will have brick work done in the spring.
Forney said that staff is in the process of executing the agreements with the businesses who will be getting
cameras for security improvements. He said three of the four have been executed. He is waiting to meet with Your Exchange as they have some questions.
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4, 2019
Szurek asked if there is any way the City can control window signage, especially in the strip malls as there are so many obvious violations. Chirpich told members that the
City Planner has been sending those businesses letters informing them they are violating the sign ordinance. Several have called for clarification about what is allowed. She has given
the businesses a timeframe in which to comply. Buesgens asked what happens if they don’t comply. Chirpich said the businesses could be issued citations, but he is unsure what the fine
is.
NE Business Center Update
Chirpich told members that Crown Castle was given a 30 day Notice of the Termination of Lease after the last meeting. The Notice was sent Certified
Mail, regular mail, and emailed to the parties involved. The 30 day notice is up November 13th. No action will be taken until after that date. Staff has been working with Crown Castle
on two potential relocation sites. The City has also offered a couple of temporary sites to them, if necessary, to ensure contiguous service.
Chirpich said break-ins have been a big
problem. Since we purchased the building there have been three break ins which have resulted in boarding up several windows. Some of the damage is just vandalism using the bricks from
the deteriorating plaza walls and others are because they steal equipment associated with the antennas. He said Crown Castle does have surveillance cameras on site which helped the
Police determine the person who committed the last theft.
City Hall Update
Staff has been working diligently with Leo Daly to finalize the plans for the new City Hall space. We hope
to pass off the design to Alatus later this week, which will allow their Architect and Engineers do the proper column placement. Initially, we hoped that the closing could take place
before the end of the year, but it will most likely occur in early 2020 instead.
Szurek asked when plans would come to the Planning Commission. Chirpich said it probably won’t be until
the January meeting.
Williams asked whether Chirpich has had contact with HyVee. Chirpich said he put Alatus and HyVee in contact with each other and they are discussing the possibility
of joining efforts to redevelop the site at 43rd And Central. One option they are looking at is a project that would include housing and a smaller grocery store. He told members that
Alatus is also interested in possibly redeveloping the strip mall at 40th and Central Ave. Alatus is excited about potential projects along Central Avenue because the properties are
located in the “Opportunity Zone”. Schmitt thought projects in the “Opportunity Zone” need to be decided by April. Chirpich said Bob Lutz and his team have a good deal of knowledge
regarding this and are keeping track of whether the timelines may be extended, which could help accomplish his vision for the area.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday,
December 2, 2019.
Motion by Murzyn, seconded by Schmitt, to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 pm.
All ayes.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Hanson
Secretary