11-20-23 HRA
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
November 20, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Vrieze Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
HRA Members
Present:
Erin Vrieze Daniels, Chair; Mary Supple; Sean Hayford Oleary; John Young; and Gordon Hanson
HRA Members Absent
Staff Present:
Melissa Poehlman, Executive Director; Julie Urban, Assistant Community Development Director; Jan Youngquist, Economic Development Manager; and Dustin Leslie, City Clerk.
OPEN FORUM
Chair Vrieze Daniels gave instructions on how to participate in the open forum.
Rod Sather – 63rd and Thomas: Residents spoke about short-term rentals and how they needed to be addressed due to their impact on the local housing market.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
M/Hanson, S/Supple to approve the 1) minutes of the regular Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting of October 16, 2023.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #1
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Supple to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #2
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Executive Director Poehlman presented the Consent Calendar.
Consideration of a resolution approving an extension to the Grant Agreements with Woodlawn Terrace Cooperative until December 31, 2024 (Staff Report #27).
Consider a resolution designating buildings formerly located at 7700 and 7730 Portland Avenue South and the existing structure at 500 78th Street East as structurally substandard within
the Richfield Redevelopment Project Area (Staff Report #28).
Consider the approval of a resolution accepting contributions for the 2023 Tour of Remodeled Homes (Staff Report #29).
Chair Vrieze Daniels removed item B from the consent calendar.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Hanson to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of item B which was pulled for further consideration.
Motion Carried: 5-0
ITEM #3
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Executive Director Poehlman gave the report for item B.
Chair Vrieze Daniels asked which properties were owned by MnDOT. Executive Director Poehlman stated only properties A & B were owned by MnDOT. Chair Vrieze Daniels asked if there were
plans to create a TIF district for the remnants of the property. Executive Director Poehlman mentioned that would be a possible option.
Chair Vrieze Daniels asked why they were being asked to approve this item if the buildings have already been demolished. Executive Director Poehlman stated it would give staff redevelopment
options. Rebecca Kirtz with Ehlers stated that by approving this, it would preserve the ability to create a TIF district in the future because substandard building findings would be
needed. There was also a discussion about the timeline of events.
M/Supple, S/Young to approve the resolution designating buildings formerly located at 7700 and 7730 Portland Avenue South and the existing structure at 700 78th Street East as structurally
substandard within the Richfield Redevelopment Project Area.
Motion Carried: 5-0
ITEM #4
CONSIDERATION OF A MODIFICATION TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN, TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT 2018-1,
RF64, WITHDRAWING PARCELS FROM THE DISTRICT.
Assistant Director Urban gave the report.
Commissioner Supple asked what would happen if the city was not able to pay back the funds. Assistant Director Urban stated there would be money in escrow which would be enough to cover
costs.
Commissioner Hayford Oleary and Assistant Director Urban spoke about the history of purchases. Commissioner Hayford Oleary asked if costs were recovered in the original sale of land.
Assistant Director Urban stated the road project was able to cover the costs.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Young to adopt a resolution approving a modification to the Tax Increment Financing Plan, Tax Increment Financing District 2018-1, RF64, and withdrawing parcels
from the District.
Motion Carried: 5-0
ITEM #5
CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF THE RICHFIELD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT
STATUS UPDATE.
Executive Director Poehlman introduced Rebecca Kirtz from Ehlers who gave the presentation which included: an overview of the TIF management plan, findings, direct summary of TIF districts,
impacts of decertified districts, outstanding obligations, Best Buy project overview, pooling opportunities, special legislation, affordable housing, compliance issues, administrative
expenses, and findings and recommendations.
Commissioner Young asked about the Emi project on 66th. Executive Director Poehlman gave a summary of the project and an update on its development.
Commissioner Supple and Chair Vrieze Daniels thanked the presenter for a thorough presentation.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Hanson to accept the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority Tax Increment Financing District report.
Motion Carried: 5-0
ITEM #6
CONSIDERATION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH DANI, LAURA, AND MARIELA JIMENEZ RELATED TO THE HOUSING
AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1430 66TH STREET EAST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A BAKERY AND DELI.
Economic Development Manager Youngquist gave the report.
Commissioner Young asked how City-owned parcels were marketed to the public. Economic Development Manager Youngquist spoke about the city’s development process. Commissioner Young asked
if there was any other interest in the parcel. Executive Director Poehlman stated there was other interest in the parcel, but this proposal was more in line with the Comprehensive Plan.
M/Supple, S/ Young to approve the memorandum of understanding with Dani, Laura, and Mariela Jimenez.
Motion Carried: 5-0
ITEM #7
CONSIDERATION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LYNDALE GARDENS, LLC.
Economic Development Manager Youngquist gave the report.
Commissioner Young asked when a developer is chosen if the HRA would make final approval on using them for the development. Economic Development Manager Youngquist stated that was correct.
Commissioner Young also asked about the cost of the building and if the contributions would cover it. Youngquist spoke about the costs involved in the project.
Commissioner Young asked why a mixed-use property was not being considered for this parcel. Economic Development Manager Youngquist spoke about a proposal that was a mix of housing
and commercial development, but parking became an issue. There were also visibility issues with the lake and amphitheater.
M/Gordon, S/Young to approve the memorandum of understanding with Lyndale Gardens, LLC.
Motion Carried: 5-0
ITEM #8
HRA DISCUSSION ITEMS
Commissioner Supple spoke about the new business bulletin newsletter.
Chair Vrieze Daniels spoke about the potential opening on the HRA/EDA and encouraged people to apply.
ITEM #7
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
No report.
ITEM #8
CLAIMS
M/Hanson, S/Supple that the following claims be approved:
U.S. BANK
11/20/2023
HRA Checks: #36958-36974
$103,534.37
Section 8 Checks: #135278-135353
$196,566.19
TOTAL
$300,100.56
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #9
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:32 p.m.
Date Approved: December 18, 2023
Gordon Hanson
HRA Acting Chair
Dustin Leslie Melissa Poehlman
City Clerk Executive Director