091624 EDA AgendaECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
RICHFIELD MUNICIPAL CENTER, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
7:15 PM (IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE HRA MEETING)
Call to Order
Open Forum
Each speaker is to keep their comment period to three minutes to allow sufficient time for others. Comments
are to be an opportunity to address the EDA. Please refer to the EDA agenda and minutes web page for
additional ways to submit comments. Call into the open forum by dialing 1-415-655-0001 Use webinar access
code: 2630 079 8317 and password: 1234.
Appr oval of t he M inut es
Approval of the minutes of the Regular Economic Development Authority meeting of August 19, 2024.
AGENDA APPROVAL
1.Approval of the Agenda
2.Consent Calendar contains several separate items which are acted upon by the EDA in one motion.
Once the Consent Calendar has been approved, the individual items and recommended actions have
also been approved. No further EDA action on these items is necessary. However, any EDA
Commissioner may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar and placed on the
regular agenda for EDA discussion and action. All items listed on the Consent Calendar are
recommended for approval.
3.Consideration of items, if any, removed from Consent Calendar
RESOLUTIONS
4.Consideration of a resolution authorizing an application to the Hennepin County Business District Initiative
Program.
Staff Report No. 10
EDA DISCUSSION ITEMS
5.EDA Discussion Items
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
6.Executive Director's Report
CLAIMS
7.Claims
8.Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96
hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
August 19, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Vrieze Daniels at 7:36 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
EDA Members
Present:
Erin Vrieze Daniels, President; Sean Hayford Oleary; Mary Supple; and
John Young
EDA Members
Absent:
Gordon Hanson
Staff Present: Melissa Poehlman, Executive Director; Julie Urban; Assistant Community
Development Director; and Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk
OPEN FORUM
Chair Vrieze Daniels gave instructions on how to participate in the open forum. No one
spoke.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Supple to approve the regular Economic Development Authority
meeting minutes of April 15, 2024.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #1 EDA BUDGET PRESENTATION
Executive Director Poehlman presented the 2024-2025 EDA Budget.
Commissioner Hayford Oleary inquired about the grant fund matching amount. Executive
Director explained that information would need to be obtained from Economic Development
Manager, Youngquist.
EDA Meeting Minutes -2-August 19, 2024
ITEM #2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Young to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #3 CONSENT CALENDAR
Executive Director Poehlman presented the consent calendar.
A.Consideration of an Amended Agreement with the Center for Energy and Environment to
increase the budget for the Apartment Remodeling program.
M/Young, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 4-0
ITEM #4 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR.
None.
ITEM #5 CONSIDER RESOLUTIONS APPROVING PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY
FOR PAYABLE 2025 FOR CERTIFICATION TO HENNEPIN COUNTY.
Assistant Community Development Director Urban presented the staff report.
M/Supple, S/Young to approve the attached resolutions approving the 2025 Proposed
Economic Development Authority Budget and Tax Levy and 2024 Revised Economic Development
Authority Budget.
Motion carried 4-0
ITEM #6 EDA DISCUSSION ITEMS
None.
ITEM #7 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director confirmed the date of the Remodeled Home Tour.
ITEM #8 CLAIMS
M/Young, S/Supple that the following claims be approved:
EDA Meeting Minutes -3-August 19, 2024
U.S. BANK 5/20/2024
EDA Checks #23490-23504 $21,500.00
TOTAL $21,500.00
U.S. BANK 6/17/2024
EDA Checks #23505-23520 $16,334.00
TOTAL $16,334.00
U.S. BANK 7/22/2024
EDA Checks #23521-23536 $14,369.89
TOTAL $14,369.89
U.S. BANK 8/19/2024
EDA Checks #23537-23552 $16,596.70
TOTAL $16,596.70
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #9 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:53 p.m.
Date Approved: September 16, 2024
Erin Vrieze Daniels
President
LaTonia DuBois Melissa Poehlman
Administrative Assistant Executive Director
AGENDA SECTION:RESOLUTIONS
AGENDA ITEM #4.
STAFF REPORT NO. 10
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MEETING
9/16/2024
REPORT PREPARED BY: Jan Youngquist, Economic Development Manager
OTHER DEPARTMENT REVIEW:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVIEW:
ITEM FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
Consideration of a resolution authorizing an application to the Hennepin County Business District
Initiative Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Hennepin County’s Business District Initiative (BDI) Program provides grants for implementation of strategies
that enhance the economic vitality of priority business districts in suburban cities within the county. Staff is
proposing to submit an application to the BDI Program requesting $45,000 in grant funds to work with a
consultant to develop a branding and placemaking strategy for downtown Richfield.
Downtown has long been identified as a priority business district in Richfield. Dating back to the 1960s, the
area around Lyndale Avenue and 66th Street has been considered Richfield’s downtown. In 1998,
the Lakes at Lyndale Master Plan was adopted, with the mission to make the area Richfield's
thriving urban center. The master plan set the stage for the significant redevelopment that has
occurred in the area. Additional plans that followed include the 2013 Lakes at Lyndale Connectivity
Plan and the 2016 Lakes at Lyndale Wayfinding Plan, which focused on branding the area as Lakes
at Lyndale. However, the wayfinding plan has not yet been implemented and the Lakes at Lyndale
name is not well known in the community.
The area that is considered downtown has grown since adoption of the Lakes at Lyndale Master Plan. The
2040 Comprehensive Plan guided both the Lakes at Lyndale and the Nicollet Avenue/66th Street areas as
Mixed Use and melded them into an expanded overall downtown area.
Additional priority was placed on downtown with the adoption of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, which
identified a vibrant downtown as a desired outcome, developing a downtown strategy as a strategic initiative to
support this outcome, and proactively marketing downtown as an action step.
Significant strides have been made toward advancing many of the themes for creating a thriving urban center
that were identified in the original Lakes at Lyndale Master Plan. The downtown area does not have a
distinctive identity, however. The proposed branding and placemaking strategy project would be rooted in
community engagement to develop a shared vision of what downtown Richfield is and what sets it apart from
our neighboring communities. The goal is to use branding and placemaking to build on and highlight
downtown’s assets in a way that drives economic growth, brings awareness to local businesses, and
enhances downtown's vibrancy. The branding and placemaking strategy would also be used to inform
implementation of the wayfinding plan.
Melissa Poehlman, Executive Director
9/9/2024
Applications to the BDI Program are due by October 1, 2024. It is anticipated that the Hennepin County
Housing and Redevelopment Authority would announce its funding decisions by the end of 2024 and if
funded, the project would commence in 2025.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
By motion: Approve a resolution authorizing submittal of an application for Hennepin County Business
District Initiative Program grant funds and authorizing the Executive Director to execute any
associated agreements.
BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION:
A.HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Planning for the Lyndale and 66th area downtown business district dates back to the early 1960s.
In 1998, the "Lakes at Lyndale" Master Plan was adopted for the area and included the following
themes to create a thriving urban center: nature, housing, people, transit, identity, gateways, and
business.
Significant redevelopment followed, providing commercial opportunities at Woodlake Centre, City
Bella, Lyndale Station, Lakewinds Food Co-op, as well as providing several housing options including
condominiums, apartments, and senior/assisted living.
In 2013, the Lakes at Lyndale Connectivity Plan was adopted, which provided guidance for the
connections and improvements through the Lakes at Lyndale area to promote a more livable and
thriving community.
The Lakes at Lyndale Wayfinding Plan was developed in 2016 and included recommendations for the
locations and types of wayfinding signage, based on "Lakes at Lyndale" branding.
In 2017, a market analysis and redevelopment concepts were prepared for the 66th and Nicollet area to
inform land use decisions as part of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan).
The Comp Plan, adopted in 2018, melded the two areas into the larger Lyndale/Nicollet and 66th
downtown area.
Roadway projects in downtown transformed major streets into multi-modal corridors, making downtown
more safe and pleasant for people walking, biking, and rolling.
In September 2022, the City Council adopted the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan), which
placed a priority on Community Development, identified a vibrant downtown as a desired outcome and
developing a downtown strategy as a strategic initiative to support this outcome.
B.EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS
Equity: There are approximately 45 small businesses and 30 businesses owned by women or people
of color in downtown. Targeted efforts to engage with these business owners will be made during the
development of the branding and placemaking strategy. Implementation of the strategy is intended to
enhance the economic vitality and vibrancy of downtown and help support these businesses.
Strategic Plan: The Strategic Plan i dentified a vibrant downtown as a desired outcome and
developing a downtown strategy as a strategic initiative to support this outcome.
C.POLICIES (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, exc):
The Comp Plan guides the future land use of the Lyndale/Nicollet and 66th Street area as Mixed Use
with the intent of creating a downtown with residential, commercial, office, and recreational
opportunities.
The Strategic Plan identifies a vibrant downtown as a desired outcome, developing a downtown
strategy as a strategic initiative to support this outcome, and proactively marketing downtown as an
action step.
D.CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES:
Applications for the BDI Program are due by October 1, 2024 and a resolution of support is required to
be submitted with the application.
E.FINANCIAL IMPACT:
If awarded, grant funding would be provided by the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment
Authority.
The BDI Program encourages, but does not require, matching funds from a city. The Economic
Development Authority (EDA) budget includes $5,000 as a match to the BDI Program grant. Staff time
in working with the consultant team to develop the branding and placemaking strategy would also be
provided as an in-kind match.
F.LEGAL CONSIDERATION:
Minnesota Statute 469.101 grants economic development authorities the power to enter into contracts
for the purpose of economic development.
If the grant is awarded, the EDA attorney would review the grant agreement prior to execution.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION(S):
Decide not to submit a grant application to the Hennepin County Business District Initiative Program.
PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Resolution Resolution Letter
RICHFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RESOLUTION NO. 53
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY
BUSINESS DISTRICT INITIATIVE PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY ASSOCIATED AGREEMENTS
WHEREAS, the Richfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) was formed in 2017 to
provide economic development, business assistance, and housing assistance programming; and
WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority has opened a call
for projects through its Business District Improvement (BDI) Program; and
WHEREAS, the BDI Program provides funding assistance for the implementation of strategies
that enhance the economic vitality of priority business districts in suburban municipalities through a
competitive application process; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richfield’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan prioritizes the downtown Richfield
business district as part of its strategic priorities to create a vibrant downtown and a community where
all can thrive; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richfield has identified the need for a project to develop a branding
and placemaking strategy to enhance the economic vitality and vibrancy of the downtown Richfield
business district; and
WHEREAS, the EDA has available local funds to provide a match for the grant, should the
grant funds be awarded; and
WHEREAS, the EDA has the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure
adequate project and grant administration; and
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as
stated in the contract grant agreements.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Richfield EDA authorizes its Executive
Director or designee to submit an application for Hennepin County Business District Initiative Program
grant funds and authorizes the Executive Director to execute any such agreements as may be
necessary to implement the grant funded project.
Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Richfield Economic Development Authority this
16th day of September, 2024.
Erin Vrieze Daniels, President
ATTEST:
Melissa Poehlman, Executive Director