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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.06.2025 EDA Meeting ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY City Hall—Council Chambers, 3989 Central Ave NE Monday, January 06, 2025 5:00 PM MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by City Manager Chirpich. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Members present: Connie Buesgens; Laurel Deneen; Rachel James; Amada Márquez-Simula; Justice Spriggs; Marlaine Szurek; Lamin Dibba Staff Present: Mitchell Forney, Community Development Director; Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Sarah LaVoie, Administrative Assistant; Emilie Voight, Community Development Coordinator PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OATH OF OFFICE 1. Oath of Office a. Connie Buesgens, Laurel Deneen, and Amáda Márquez Simula Forney noted that the Oath of Office has been signed by the returning members. He welcomed Deneen to the EDA. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 2. Election of 2025 Economic Development Authority Officers Forney explained that due to the bylaws, the EDA is required to elect new officers each year. In 2024, the EDA President was Szurek, the Vice President of the EDA was James, and the Treasurer was Spriggs. LaVoie serves as the Secretary. Forney asked for nominations for the President position. Spriggs nominated James. Forney asked for nominations for the Vice President position. Márquez-Simula nominated Dibba. Forney asked for nominations for the Treasurer position. Márquez-Simula nominated Spriggs. Forney asked for nominations for Secretary. James nominated LaVoie. Forney explained that due to the bylaws, Chirpich serves as the executive director, Forney serves as the deputy executive director, and Kloiber serves as the assistant treasurer. Motion by Márquez-Simula, seconded by Deneen, to elect the four positions for the Economic Development Authority as presented. All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 2 Márquez-Simula thanked Szurek for being the previous president. She thanked Spriggs for looking at new people coming up in leadership. CONSENT AGENDA 3. Approve the minutes of the regular EDA Meeting of December 02, 2024. 4. Approve financial reports and payment of bills for November 2024 – Resolution No. 2025-01. Motion by Buesgens, seconded by Spriggs, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. RESOLUTION NO. 2025-01 A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, APPROVING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024 AND THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024. 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 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 statements for the month of November 2024 have 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, financial 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 as part of the permanent records of the Columbia City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 3 Heights Economic Development Authority. ORDER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Passed this 6th of January 2025 Offered by: Connie Buesgens Seconded by: Justice Spriggs Roll Call: All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. President Attest: Secretary BUSINESS ITEMS 5. Designating the 2025 Official Depositories of the Economic Development Authority Voight reported the EDA is required to designate by resolution the depositories used for its funds and investments. The Resolution follows the format of resolutions passed in previous years by the EDA and the City Council. Most general banking transactions of the EDA and the City are conducted through Northeast Bank. Accounts are also maintained at U.S. Bank for certain specialized services such as payroll and debt service payments. The only material difference between this proposed resolution and the resolution adopted annually by the City Council is that the EDA resolution allows for the EDA’s funds to be held in accounts under the name of the City of Columbia Heights. This has always been the EDA’s practice. Since the creation of the EDA in 1996, it has never had a separate checking account under its own name. All EDA expenditures since its inception have been made using checks drawn in the City’s name on behalf of the EDA. Staff recommend maintaining these two banking relationships, as they continue to meet the EDA’s current needs while also providing capacity for addressing the EDA’s evolving needs for electronic banking services. There are no differences between this year’s depositories and those of 2024. Motion by Deneen, seconded by Buesgens, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2025-02, there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Deneen, seconded by Dibba, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-02, a Resolution of the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority, designating official depositories. All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. RESOLUTION NO. 2025-02 A RESOLUTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DESIGNATING OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 4 Now, therefore, in accordance with the bylaws and regulations of the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (the Authority), the Board of Commissioners of the Authority makes the following: ORDER OF BOARD IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that Northeast Bank, and U.S. Bank, are hereby designated as depositories for the Authority’s funds. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the funds of the Authority can be held in accounts at these depositories under the name and federal identification number of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota (the City), together with the funds of the City, provided that separate fund accounting records are maintained for the respective Authority and City shares of such accounts in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting and auditing standards. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the responsibility for countersigning orders and checks drawn against funds of the Authority, assigned in the Authority’s bylaws to the Authority President, is hereby delegated to the City Mayor. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that checks, drafts, or other withdrawal orders issued against the funds of the Authority on deposit with these depositories under the City’s name shall be signed by the following: City Mayor City Manager City Finance Director and that said banks are hereby fully authorized to pay and charge said accounts for any such checks, drafts, or other withdrawal orders issued by the City on behalf of the Authority. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that Northeast Bank, and U.S. Bank, are hereby requested, authorized and directed to honor checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money drawn in the City’s name on behalf of the Authority, including those drawn to the individual order of any person or persons whose name or names appear thereon as signer or signers thereof, when bearing or purporting to bear the facsimile signatures of the following: City Mayor City Manager City Finance Director and that Northeast Bank, and U.S. Bank, shall be entitled to honor and to charge the Authority, or the City on behalf of the Authority, for all such checks, drafts or other orders, regardless of by whom or by what means the facsimile signature or signatures thereon may have been affixed thereto, if such facsimile signature or signatures resemble the facsimile specimens duly certified to or filed with the Banks by the City Finance Director or other officer of the Authority or City. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 5 IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Finance Director or their designee shall be authorized to make electronic funds transfers in lieu of issuing paper checks, subject to the controls required by Minnesota Statutes and by the City of Columbia Heights’ financial policies. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that all transactions, if any, relating to deposits, withdrawals, re-discounts and borrowings by or on behalf of the Authority with said depositories, made directly by the Authority or by the City on the behalf of the Authority, prior to the adoption of this resolution be, and the same hereby are, in all things ratified, approved and confirmed. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that any bank designated above as a depository, may be used as a custodian (a.k.a. depository) for investment purposes, so long as the investments comply with authorized investments as set forth in Minnesota Statutes. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that Bank of New York Mellon DBA Pershing Advisor Solutions LLC may be used as a custodian (a.k.a. depository) for investment purposes so long as the investments comply with the authorized investments as set forth in Minnesota Statutes. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the funds of the Authority can be held in accounts at such investment custodians under the name and federal identification number of the City, together with the funds of the City, provided that separate fund accounting records are maintained for the respective Authority and City shares of such accounts in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting and auditing standards. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any and all resolutions heretofore adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Authority with regard to depositories or brokerage firms are superseded by this resolution. ORDER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Passed this 6th of January 2025 Offered by: Laurel Deneen Seconded by: Lamin Dibba Roll Call: All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. President Attest: Secretary 6. Transfer of Property to the City: 960 40th Ave NE City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 6 Voight reported the Columbia Heights EDA currently owns the real property located at 960 40th Ave NE, property ID number 36-30-24-32-0046. The property is located immediately east of City Hall, abutting the City Hall parcel, with street access from 40 th Ave NE to the north. In 2020, Alatus LLC purchased the site from its previous owner in preparation for the City Hall redevelopment project. In 2021, the EDA then purchased the site from Alatus LLC in order to hold it for eventual City use. In late 2024, the property was paved, striped, and posted as City-owned vehicle parking only. Two adjacent property owners continue to use the site for motor vehicle access to their garages. Because this property now serves as a City parking facility and no future redevelopment is planned for the site, staff recommend that the EDA transfer the property to City ownership. Questions/Comments from Members: Szurek asked how the City was going to ensure that the property owners would not use it as extra parking. Chirpich replied that Staff have put up signs that indicate that it is for City Hall parking only. He added that unauthorized vehicles would receive a ticket if they parked in the parking lot. Motion by Spriggs, seconded by Márquez-Simula, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2025-03, there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Spriggs, seconded by Dibba, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-03, a Resolution of the Economic Development Authority of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, authorizing conveyance of certain real property to the City of Columbia Heights. All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. RESOLUTION NO. 2025-03 A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TO THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (the “Authority”) is the owner of certain real property located in Anoka County, Minnesota and legally described as Lot 23, Block 6, Reservoir Hills, according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of Deeds within and for said Anoka County, Minnesota (the “Property”); and WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota (the “City”) is interested in owning the Property; and WHEREAS, the Authority has determined that it is in the best interest of the public to convey the Property to the City; and WHEREAS, the Authority and the City have followed applicable statutory provisions, including but not limited to, Minnesota Statutes, Sections 465.035 and 471.64. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 7 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority as follows: 1. The recitals set forth in the preamble to this resolution and the exhibits attached to this resolution are incorporated into this resolution as if fully set forth herein. 2. The conveyance of the Property by the Authority to the City is hereby authorized pursuant to a quit claim deed. 3. The Board hereby authorizes the President and Executive Director, in their discretion and at such time, if any, as they may deem appropriate, to execute on behalf of the Authority all appropriate documents to convey title of the Property to the City, including but not limited to a quit claim deed (the “Conveyance Documents”), and to carry out, on behalf of the Authority, the Authority’s obligations thereunder when all conditions precedent thereto have been satisfied. The Conveyance Documents shall be in substantially the form on file with the Authority and the approval hereby given to the Conveyance Documents includes approval of such additional details therein as may be necessary and appropriate and such modifications thereof, deletions therefrom and additions thereto as may be necessary and appropriate and approved by legal counsel to the Authority and by the officers authorized herein to execute said documents prior to their execution; and said officers are hereby authorized to approve said changes on behalf of the Authority. The execution of any instrument by the appropriate officers of the Authority herein authorized shall be conclusive evidence of the approval of such document in accordance with the terms hereof. This resolution shall not constitute an offer and the Conveyance Documents shall not be effective until the date of execution thereof as provided herein. 4. In the event of absence or disability of the officers, any of the documents authorized by this resolution to be executed may be executed without further act or authorization of the Board by any duly designated acting official, or by such other officer or officers of the Board as, in the opinion of the City Attorney, may act in their behalf. Upon execution and delivery of the Conveyance Documents, the officers and employees of the Board are hereby authorized and directed to take or cause to be taken such actions as may be necessary on behalf of the Board to implement the Conveyance Documents. ORDER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Passed this 6th of January 2025 Offered by: Justice Spriggs Seconded by: Lamin Dibba Roll Call: All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED. President Attest: Secretary 7. 2025 EDA Goal Setting City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 8 Forney reviewed the EDA 2025 goals. He stated in preparation for the Council’s 2025 goal-setting process, staff are providing the EDA with the opportunity to define its 2025 priorities. Last year, staff utilized the City Council’s goals to guide the EDA’s priorities. For 2025, however, staff aim to establish the EDA’s goals prior to the Council’s meeting so that the EDA may directly inform some of the City’s broader strategies. The goal-setting process will take place over two sessions. The first session, in January, will include a presentation of the EDA’s current finances, followed by an interactive activity to identify priorities for 2025. In the second session, held in February, staff will present a summary of the January discussions along with recommendations for the EDA’s 2025 goals. Feedback will be solicited, and the recommendations will be refined as necessary. This process will result in a final set of EDA priorities for 2025. Forney noted there were several good ideas from last year that were not able to be accomplished due to the Trust Fund funding not coming through. The City received the second payment from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund on December 31, 2024. Forney explained as Staff work with the EDA to set goals and establish priorities for 2025, they wanted to provide baseline information on financial resources available to the EDA. The EDA has control over multiple funding sources and the ability to apply for additional funds in certain areas. To allow the EDA time and space to establish its priorities and objectives, Staff will not cover the current finances of the commission in depth at this time. Instead, at the February meeting, Staff will present a proposed distribution based on the EDA’s feedback during this goal-setting session. This approach is a more efficient use of EDA time and will give Staff a good starting point for preparing recommendations. Voight explained an activity for the EDA in order for Staff to gain clarity on ideas and understanding of the EDA’s priorities for 2025. Staff will compile all of the information and put together a recommendation and bring it back to the EDA. Voight asked what are three or four initiatives, strategies, or topics that you would like the EDA to focus on in 2025. She gave each commissioner a post-it note to write down ideas. Voight explained the next activity. She asked each commissioner to read aloud their ideas and to put them into a category that was listed on the wall. James read her ideas which included revising the fire suppression grant to make it more helpful, a continuation of the process to purchase blighted or underutilized properties in the Central business district, Central Avenue revitalization, and making a plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and determining the best way to utilize it to create new housing. Buesgens noted her ideas included surveying businesses on the façade and looking at landscaping on Central Avenue, having grant money to improve NOAH’s such as roofs, windows, and HVAC, and keeping the affordable housing that is currently there, combining the Medtronic site with Sullivan Lake Park, and have more public art since it can improve the City’s economy. Deneen explained her ideas include to have grant programs for local art, to create a business directory City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 9 resource online that could be easily accessible, to provide community information session or classes on starting a business within the City, and expanding the façade improvement plan to include interior work and/or creating a new program that will help with the infrastructure of a business that could be aging. Dibba stated his ideas included, to increase the amount in the façade improvement fund in order to provide help and training for small business owners, particularly new ones. Voight asked if those were two separate ideas. Dibba replied that it there could be two separate ideas with training small business owners on bookkeeping or other skills as a new idea. He added an idea of having more consultations with the businesses community. Voight asked if consultations would be members of the EDA going to businesses. Dibba replied that EDA members could be consultants. He added that small businesses could organize themselves and work closely with the City. He mentioned his other idea would be to see action on the Medtronic site this year. He added that he would like to see more playgrounds in the City. Márquez-Simula noted her ideas included to improve the pedestrian alley between the parking ramp and Central Avenue, improve the City parking lot and signage behind the DMV, have pollinator plantings in most places, and have a business district alley façade improvement grant. Szurek mentioned her ideas included to encourage development in order to lower residential taxation, develop new ways to improve Central Avenue, deal with dilapidated housing, help with the fire suppression. Spriggs stated his ideas included having local art in the Central Business District, targeting key properties or areas for purchase, and refining or repurposing the fire suppression agreements. Forney noted that the Staff's ideas include revising the fire suppression and façade grant programs, enacting business visits as a part of the business retention expansion program, and establishing a business booklet. Voight placed the post-it notes under various categories. She asked if the EDA would like to add categories. Buesgens noted there was a category for the business façades and fire suppression and added that there is another category for setting up the business directory. Szurek suggested have all business items in one category and then add subcategories. The Commissioners agreed. Deneen asked if there were other areas that were identified to include public art besides Central Avenue. James replied that it makes sense to target Central Avenue for 2025. The Commission agreed to add a category entitled “Redevelopment”. Szurek asked for clarification over public art since it costs a lot of money to do it. Buesgens explained that public art has shown that it booms the economy in local areas such as St. Paul and Hopkins. She explained that it provides a welcoming environment and pulls in businesses. She added that when an environment looks good, the community starts to take better care of it. James mentioned that the City owns a lot of areas and has control over making it look better. Deneen added that the alley by the City- City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 10 owned parking lot is not an area she would feel comfortable walking alone at night. However, if there were overhead lights, and murals it would be a more comfortable place to walk in at night. Szurek added that the back side of buildings looks terrible and could be improved. Deneen explained that she liked the idea of starting on Central Avenue and to build from there. It will help people buy into the idea because people have the most experience with Central Avenue. Márquez-Simula added that part of the goal-setting process is to help direct Staff on what to focus on. This can help Staff find grants to help implement the goals. Voight explained that the next category includes purchasing blighted, underutilized properties in the Central Business District (CBD), delipidated housing stock dealing with it, targeting properties in key areas for purchase, determining the most effective use of the Affordable Housing Trust fund to create new housing, grant money to improve NOAH, windows, HVAC, etc. Chirpich suggested titling the category as “neighborhood revitalization”. Voight noted the last category included ideas such as having information sessions or classes for starting a new business, consultation between the City and business community, business booklet, business visits by the Commission or others, and creating a business directory. Another category included ideas around the fire suppression grant and the Business District alley façade improvement. Deneen suggested titling the category “Grants and Education for Business Outreach”. Márquez-Simula suggested “Business Outreach and Grants”. Voight asked the Commissioners to vote for three ideas that they would each like to prioritize. The Commissioners used post-it notes to cast their individual votes. Voight explained that Staff would take all of the information and feedback and provide the EDA with recommendations during the next meeting. BUSINESS UPDATES Forney mentioned that the Community Development Department is in the process of hiring an intern. The City received a $2,000 grant from the Economic Development Foundation of Minnesota. He mentioned that they have received about four applicants. The intern will help execute some of the ideas that the EDA comes up with. Voight updated the EDA about the Home Energy Squad. The Home Energy Squad is going through a transition of providers for Anoka County. ICF is the new provider for Anoka County. Xcel and CenterPoint have a contract with ICF. Residents can go to the Home Energy Squad website and sign up for visits just like they always could. Communication is on the website and will be on social media in the next couple of weeks. Xcel and CenterPoint provide a promotional code to reduce the price for Columbia Heights residents. The EDA now has $5,000 more in funds. Forney added that it is because the City participated in the Partners In Energy. Buesgens noted that the participation in the energy audit was low in 2024 and asked if Staff were planning on using some of the extra funds to push more participation in the energy audit. Szurek asked if there was a letter included in the water bill to promote participation. She added that including a City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 06, 2025 EDA Meeting Page 11 letter with the water bill would reach more people. Márquez-Simula asked Voight to speak more about the social media posts. Voight replied that she has been working with the communications team and they will be doing a Facebook post this week or next week. Márquez-Simula mentioned she likes the idea of the EDA showing up for events and having sign- up sheets for residents to get further involved. Dibba asked if there was an effective way to get important information out quickly. Forney replied that they have Code Red which is utilized for emergency or specific City items. Dibba asked about non- emergency marketing tools. James replied that the City sends out monthly emails. Forney added that there is an online and paper newsletter, and social media provides information. Márquez-Simula added that Code Red has been used for non-emergency items such as sending information regarding neighborhood meetings. Buesgens asked if residents could customize which kind of notifications they receive from Code Red. She wondered if general business updates could be included in Code Red. Deneen express caution of using an emergency service for marketing. She agreed with Buesgens of wanting to get the word out to residents to be more environmentally conscious, but wanted to respect what people originally opted into with Code Red. Buesgens wondered if there was another platform that people could sign up to get text updates from the City. James suggested Staff look at the marketing plan. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Márquez-Simula, seconded by Spriggs, to adjourn the meeting at 6:01 pm. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Sarah LaVoie, Recording Secretary