02-19-08 Regular
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
February 19, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Sandahl at 7:12 p.m.
ROLL CALL
HRA Members
Present: Sue Sandahl Chair; Martin Kirsch; Joan Helmberger; Doris Rubenstein;
and David Gepner.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, Executive Director; John Stark, Interim Community
Development Director/HRA Manager; Karen Barton, Community
Development Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1 RECOGNITION OF FORMER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRUCE
PALMBORG
Chair Sandahl presented a plaque to former Community Development Director Bruce
Palmborg recognizing his years of service to the City and the HRA.
Item #2 HRA APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Gepner, S/Rubenstein to approve the minutes of the (1) Special HRA/City
Council/Planning Commission Meeting of January 14, 2008 and (2) Regular HRA Meeting of
January 14, 2008.
Motion carried 5-0.
HRA Meeting February 19, 2008
HRA APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Item #3
M/Helmberger, S/Gepner to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #4 CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration of approval of resolution authorizing submission of application to Hennepin
County for the Transit Oriented Development Grant for plaza improvements at northeast
corner of 66th Street and Lyndale Avenue S.R. No. 13
HRA RESOLUTION NO. 1030
RESOLUTION AFFIRMING AND RATIFYING CITY’S STAFF SUBMITTAL OF
AN APPLICATION TO THE HENNEPIN COUNTY TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
GRANT FOR PLAZA IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF 66TH
STREET AND LYNDALE AVENUE
This resolution appears as HRA Resolution No. 1030.
M/Rubenstein, S/Gepner to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALE OF 6744
Item #5
BLAISDELL AVENUE TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. FOR DEVELOPMENT
OF SINGLE FAMILY HOME S.R. NO 14
Interim Community Development Director Stark presented Staff Report No. 14
Chad Dipman, Habitat for Humanity representative, reviewed the proposed design which
includes a single car detached garage. The site accommodates an expanded garage as required
by the City.
Commissioner Rubenstein stated she supported the house design, especially the porch.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, requested the City consider undergrounding
cable wires and encourage a two-car garage as a minimum.
Interim Community Development Director Stark said a two-car garage will depend upon
Habitat for Humanity’s economics with some possible underwriting of the cost.
Mr. Dipman stated the general policy is to provide the minimum parking structure required
under the City code.
HRA Meeting February 19, 2008
Commissioner Kirsch suggested the City ordinance be reviewed in the future to consider
including a two-car garage as part of new home construction.
M/Gepner, S/Helmberger to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0.
M/Sandahl, S/Rubenstein that the following resolution be adopted and be made part of
these minutes and request staff to review the undergrounding of cable and construction of a two-car
garage at this site:
HRA RESOLUTION NO. 1031
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT
6744 BLAISDELL AVENUE TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. IN ACCORDANCE WITH
A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as HRA Resolution No. 1031.
Item #6 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION EXTENDING PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT
WITH TOLD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY FOR NINE MONTHS OR UNTIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2008 FOR EXPLORING FEASIBILITY OF REDEVELOPMENT OF
30-ACRE SITE IN CEDAR AVENUE CORRIDOR S.R. NO. 15
Interim Community Development Director Stark presented Staff Report No. 15.
Interim Community Development Director Stark stated that through discussions with staff
and TOLD regarding a process for moving forward, they are suggesting a nine month extension.
However, they have also discussed benchmarking within that nine month period. Within three
months TOLD will come back to the HRA with a development concept/site plan to show more
precisely what they are thinking. At six months, TOLD would authorize the City in a letter to begin
working on a development agreement and that they would agree to fund the attorney’s fees in
doing that.
Interim Community Development Director Stark continued that staff want this to be a multi-
step process so that the HRA and staff can see activity before the end of the nine month extension.
Gary Dreher, TOLD Development Company, explained the proposed planning process and
infrastructure needs. The finalized concepts will be presented for feedback.
Commissioner Rubenstein stated a community value is to include locally-owned businesses
and employ people from the community.
Mr. Dreher stated that the site is a unique opportunity for smaller business and uses, i.e.
light manufacturing, hospitality services, and ancillary services.
Commissioner Rubenstein asked about including non-profit groups.
Mr. Dreher responded that the site is a viable business park environment and any avenue
to encourage consideration of the area will be utilized.
HRA Meeting February 19, 2008
Commissioner Rubenstein asked about the architects considering being as “green” as
possible.
Mr. Dreher responded that being “green” is expensive up-front and requires some site
planning creativity driven by users.
Commissioner Helmberger asked about the electronic market because airline access is a
positive draw.
Mr. Dreher responded that opportunities are there.
M/Helmberger, S/Rubenstein that the following resolution be adopted and be made part of
these minutes and that a status report be provided to the HRA every three months:
HRA RESOLUTION NO. 1032
EXTENDING THE PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT
WITH TOLD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as HRA Resolution No. 1032.
Item #7 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION EXTENDING PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT
WITH UNITED BANKER’S BANK, SUBJECT TO UNITED BANKER’S BANK
ACCEPTANCE, UNTIL APRIL 22, 2008 FOR EXPLORING FEASIBILITY
REDEVELOPMENT OF 2.5-ACRE SITE IN CEDAR AVENUE CORRIDOR
S.R. NO. 16
Interim Community Development Director Stark presented Staff Report No. 16
Interim Community Development Director Stark added that due to difficulties contacting the
UBB Broker and through voicemail contact only, UBB appears to be no longer interested in
pursuing development on this site. Staff is requesting time for a future dialogue to see if the City
can do anything to pursue the development.
M/Gepner, S/Kirsch that the following resolution be adopted and be made part of these
minutes:
HRA RESOLUTION NO. 1033
EXTENDING THE PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT
WITH UNITED BANKER’S BANK
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as HRA Resolution No. 1033.
Item #8 CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTING STAFF TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH
SHERMAN & ASSOCIATES OR LANEL FINANCIAL GROUP ON REFINING
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FOR CEDAR POINT PHASE II AREA S.R. NO. 17
Interim Community Development Director Stark presented Staff Report No. 17.
HRA Meeting February 19, 2008
Interim Community Development Director Stark stated that staff’s perception of the
development proposals biggest distinction is the assembling of the properties, including the
process and timing for land acquisition. He stated that staff’s recommendation is to continue
working with the LaNel Financial Group.
Frank Lange, LaNel Financial Group, discussed their proposal, including the key to success
being not in how the project is built but how it operates. He added that economics are very
important.
Commissioner Helmberger asked about the type of housing to be provided.
Mr. Lange responded that the housing would be market driven.
Ryan Sailer, Sherman and Associates representative, discussed their proposal, including a
diverse housing mix without an assisted living focus. He added there is an economic difference in
the two proposals.
M/Kirsch, S/Sandahl to continue working with LaNel Financial Group on refining
development proposal for Cedar Point Phase II Area.
Commissioner Rubenstein stated both proposals have strong points. She expressed her
concerns with tax increment financing (TIF) built into both options, including it not being prudent to
approve additional TIF when considering local government aid allocations and that other
reimbursements build the strength of the community.
Commissioner Gepner stated the City is fortunate to have two proposals. He said he liked
the Sherman and Associates proposal because it is a mixed development appearing more like a
neighborhood. He stated he preferred LaNel Financial Group because they are a known entity to
the community, i.e. The Pines and Oaks on Pleasant developments.
Commissioner Gepner added that whenver a development is proposed in a fully developed
area and there is no green space, TIF is almost necessary because it continues future growth in a
progressive city.
Commissioner Kirsch stated that Ehlers and Associates will provide financial reports on TIF
and most likely a “But For” secion will be included as part of the agreement. He said The Pines is
a fine development. The neighborhoods need to move and the City needs to follow through on the
commitment. He asked about the timeline to proceed.
Interim Community Development Director Stark responded that the developer will return to
the HRA with a framework of development.
Chair Sandahl concurred with Commissioner Gepner and Commissioner Kirsch. She said
the development needs to do as the market requires and that she has no concerns regarding the
continued responsible use of TIF. She added The Pines and Oaks on Pleasant developments are
excellent.
Commissioner Rubenstein asked about TIF use for The Pines and Oaks on Pleasant
developments.
The LaNel Financial Group’s representatives responded that the development did receive
approximately $8 million to $10 million in TIF.
HRA Meeting
February 19, 2008
Commissioner Heimberger stated The Pines and Oaks on Pleasant developments are
great.
Motion carried 5-0.
litem #9 I EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Interim Community Development Director Stark introduced Community Development
Manager Karen Barton. He also mentioned the return of former employees on a part-time basis,
Julie Urban and Michelle Lewis, during the extended absence of another Community Development
employee.
litem #10 I CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Helmberger, S/Gepner that the followina claims and pavrolls be approved.
u.s. Bank 2-19-2008
Section 8 Checks: 113191 -113345
HRA Checks: 30153 - 30187
$ 184,070.90
$ 56,631.23
$ 240,702.13
TOTAL
Motion carried 5-0.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:14 p.m.
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Recording Secretary
Date Approved: April 21, 2008