02-17-1998
~ "~ ~ HOUSING AN® RE®Ei/EL®PMENT
AIJTH®RITY MEETING MINUTES
~ Richfoeld, Minnes®ta
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 17, 1998
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Helmberger at 7:00 p.m.
i
l•IRA Members
Present: Joan Helmberger, Michael Sandahl, Kristal Stokes and Russ Susag.
0-IiaA OVlembers
Excused: Thomas Harms.
Staff Present : James D. Prosser, Executive Director; Steven Devich, Acting City
Clerk; and Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to approve the minutes of the Regular HRA Meeting of
January 200 '1993.
Motion carved 4-0.
Item #1 ....:.;::~fi~~:.` ..:....................~lf~?.~......1.:.::.:::::.::::::....................................::.:.....~:.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::..........................
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Susan Rosenberg, 6633 Thomas Avenue, stated that there are three empty
storefronts on Penn Avenue. She requested that the HRA look at this area.
HRA Meeting Minutes -2- February 17, 1998
Commissioner Stokes suggested that Ms. Rosenberg also bring this issue to the
Planning Commission.
Executive Director Prosser stated that staff could explore this issue including the
cost of acquisition of the vacant property.
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes to direct staff to look at the vacant storefronts on the north
portion of Penn Avenue.
Motion carried 4-0.
EXeCUtlve DlPect®r PP®sser reVleWed Hl~v4 Letter 141®. 11 regarding preliminary
evaluation of proposed Gramercy Park Cooperative senior housing project.
Mike Conlan, President of Gramercy Inc., described the project, the ownership
structure and the mortgage instrument. Mr. Conlan distributed an informational brochure
which described the project in further detail, especially the financial details of the project
such as rents, coop payment and other costs.
He stated that the parking structure must expand underneath the alley behind the
VFW. In addition, the owner of the day labor building in the corner declined the offer to
purchase the property and stated that they preferred to be taken through condemnation.
Fie also referred to a drainage easement for a portion of the property. Mr. Conlan said
that the project needs a T.I.F. package of just over $3,000,000.
Mr. Conlan stated that they have had meetings with the VFW regarding this project
and have been very well received. The project is now 40% reserved.
Commissioner Helmberger asked if the units are homestead classified.
Mr. Conlan responded that they are.
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes to receive the report regarding the Gramercy Park
Cooperative senior housing project.
Motion carried 4-0.
HRA Meeting Minutes -3- February 17,1998
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Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter No. 12 regarding status report on
Richfield Floral and Nursery's pending purchase of 817 East 66th Street.
Pat Harris, Nancy Griemann and Gary Griemann of Richfield Floral and Nursery
described the project changes. Ms. Harris stated that the basement and the towers would
be removed. They would like to close on the property April 1 and start construction on
May 1.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to accept the report on Richfield Floral and Nursery's pending
purchase of 817 East 66th Street.
Motion carried 4-0.
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Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter No. 13 regarding the public
hearing and consideration of resolution authorizing the sale of 7615 Nicollet Avenue to
Southridge Construction for Richfield Rediscovered townhome development.
Commissioner Susag asked if there was different zoning for a townhome than
single family.
Mr. Prosser reported that the zoning on a major arterial permits both.
Commissioner Sandahl spoke to the issue and stated that the HRA has done both
single family and townhomes on such arterial sites.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 4-0.
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes that the following HRA resolution be adopted, that it be
spread in the HRA resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes: ,
HRA Meeting Minutes -4- February 17, 1998
RESOLUTION N0.659
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 7615 NICOLLET AVENUE TO SOUTHRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
IN ACCORDANCE WITH A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
Motion carried 4-0. This resolution appears as HRA Resolution No. 659 in HRA
Resolution Book No. 5.
Commissioner Sandahl stated that while he would like to provide a tool for
redevelopment, he feels that these properties would have to be part of a large scale
development.
Mr. Prosser said that the early purchase was one option to be considered, if the
HRA is comfortable with redeveloping the area.
There was general discussion regarding the property tax status of properties that
the HRA owns.
Commissioner Susag asked about the status of the Richfield Lake Area Project
(REAP).
Community Development Director Palmborg gave a status report of the REAP
project. Mr. Palmborg stated that while there isn't widespread interest for early buyouts,
some specific individuals are very interested in selling their properties now.
M/Susag, S/Stokes to table item #4.
Motion failed 2-2. (Commissioners Sandahl and Helmberger opposed.)
Commissioner Susag said he feels the early buyout is premature until the project is
approved. However, he doesn't want to vote it down at this point.
Commissioner Sandahl stated that he agreed with Commissioner Susag and was
empathetic about the people affected.
Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter #14 regarding consideration of an
early voluntary purchase program for homeowners in area north of 66th Street on
Emerson Avenue and south of 66th Street to 67th Street between Grand and Pleasant
Avenues, the Richfield Lake area project.
HRA Meeting Minutes
-5-
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to table item #4 until the April HRA meeting.
Motion carried 3-0. (Commissioner Helmberger abstained.)
February 17, 1998
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to direct staff to report at the April HRA meeting on the status
of the Richfield Lake Area Project.
Motion carried 4-0.
1
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated that he felt the people affected
weren't notified.
Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter #15 regarding consideration of
making application to Hennepin County for $236,000 in home funds to be used, by
Comerstone to purchase and rehabilitate two homes in Richfield.
Susan Neis of Cornerstone described the function of their program. She stated that
Cornerstone is losing two current homes and would like to replace them. The funding to
purchase the homes would come from Hennepin County. The homes would be tax
exempt.
Commissioner Susag asked staff if they could identify tax exempt single family
homes in Richfield, including group homes.
M/Stokes, S/Susag to consider the application to Hennepin County for $236,000 in
home funds to be used by Cornerstone to purchase and rehabilitate two homes in
Richfield.
Motion carried 4-0.
No report in addition to the HRA memo.
HRA Meeting Minutes -6- February 17, 1998
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Ite
m #8
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M/Susag, S/Stokes that the following claims and navrolls be aoaroved:
FIRSTAR BANK
Section 8: 11951-12048 $133,393.74
HRA: 18888-118945; 18731-18736 285,223.18
Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:12 p.m.
/7 ~/
Date Approved: 3/16/98 ~
an Helmberger
-Chair
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Steve L. Devich J me D. Prosser
Acting City Clerk utive Director
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