Right. All right. Are we ready? No. Okay. Hang on. I never look at them. So, I can't see that. Oh, sure. Uh, well, we'll call this meeting to order of the regular housing and
redevelopment authority uh of May 19th, 2025. It is 700 p.m. Um, we will start with the open forum. Um, you can refer to the HA agenda and minutes web page for additional ways to submit comments. Is there anyone here for the open forum? No, seeing no one. Okay. Um, that
will take us to approval of the minutes of the regular housing redevelopment authority meeting of April 21st, 2025. Is there a motion for approval? Uh, motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. It has been moved and seconded. Any comments,
questions, changes? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. The minutes have been approved. Taking us to item number one, approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? So moved, second. It has been moved and
seconded. Any comments, changes, alterations? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. The agenda has been approved. Item number two, the consent calendar. I will turn this over to Executive Director Palman. Thank you,
Chair Breeze Daniels, members of the of the H. The consent calendar can contain several separate items which are acted upon by the HA in one motion. Once the consent calendar has been approved, the individual items and recommended actions have also been approved. No further HR action is uh necessary on these items.
However, any H commissioner may request that an item be removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for HA discussion and action. All items listed on the consent calendar are recommended for approval. There's a single item on your consent calendar today. Item A, consideration of an
amended resolution authorizing submittal of grant of a grant application to Henipin County for environmental cleanup of contaminated soils and asbestous at 6501 and 6525 Penn Avenue South. And I submit this for your consideration.
Anything wanting to be removed? Seeing none, all those in favor? Oh, is there a motion to approve the consent calendar? I make a motion to approve the consent calendar. Uh, second. It has been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.
The consent calendar has been approved. Um item number four, um which is a public hearing. I'll turn it over to executive director Pelman. Thank you. And I will ask economic development manager Jan Youngquist to present the report.
Good evening, chair and commission members. The HR owns approximately 14,000 square feet of land known as outlot A of Wexler's second edition. Located at the southeast corner of Richfield Parkway and 66th Street, the property consists of remnant land from
the Richfield Parkway roundabout project that was completed in 2008. The city transferred the property to the HA after construction of the roundabout. The property is irregularly shaped and is not developable as a standalone parcel.
Prior to construction of the roundabout, the city entered into a temporary easement for construction and license agreement for parking with Professional Dental Properties, the owner of the adjacent property at 171766 Street East. This agreement provided the city with access to PDP's
land during roadway construction and granted PDP an exclusive license for parking on the property for the dental healthc care center. The temporary easement expired on September 30th of 2007, but the license agreement for parking is still in effect. In April of
2024, Dr. John Wool from PDP contacted HRE staff to express an interest in purchasing the property. PDP has maintained and improved the property with lawn tree care and irrigation for several years and also has been paying taxes on the property because the dental
clinic parking lot constitutes a private use of publicly owned land. The property has existing utilities that run through it and a portion of the property consists of right away for 18th Avenue South. In order to sell the property, the HR would need to grant easements to
the city for drainage, utilities, and roadway purposes. Additionally, there are utilities that run through a small portion of PDP's property that the city will need to access. The purchase agreement for the property includes a sales price of $67,000. The sale would be contingent
upon the HA and PDP terminating the temporary easement for construction and license agreement for parking. The HR granting permanent roadway drainage and utility easements totaling 3153 square ft to the city prior to selling the
property to PDP and PDP granting a 446 foot easement on its property to the city for drainage and utilities. Uh that concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to take any questions. And Dr. John Wool from uh Professional Dental Properties
LLC is here. The rain is distracting all of a sudden. Loud. Uh H board members, in the past, we have heard some concerns about being able to hear the council through the microphones. So given the noise of the
rain, I just want to make sure everybody when you are speaking, please make sure you're speaking directly into your microphone in case it affects our audio. Yes. Thank you. We'll do. Um, all right. I think we have to open the public hearing. Do we vote to open? It's been so long. No. Okay. We vote to close, but
not to open. Pardon me. I could not hear you over the rain. Madam Chair, I believe you can just open it. Yes. All right. We will open the public hearing. Um, is there anyone here to to speak at the public hearing on this matter?
Uh, seeing no one, is there a motion to close the public hearing? I move to close the public hearing. I second the motion. All right. It has been and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. The public hearing has been
closed. Thank you. It is so loud. Okay. Um. All right. Is there any questions for staff comments? Yes, go ahead. So, can I just clarify and sorry if you explained this and the
terminology just didn't make sense, but when I look at like the Henipin property map, it looks like like almost part of the curb line of 18th Avenue South goes into this property. Is that to be removed and become rightway as part of this or will that remain in just like an easement across the private parcel? It
will remain a a roadway easement. Okay. So the parcel lines will not change after this. Correct. Okay. Thank you. There are no further questions. Is there a motion for approval? I make a motion to approve uh the
resolution. Uh second. Any uh it's been moved and seconded. Is there any comments, questions? Can I clarify if we're moving all three together or doing individual motions? I meant to move all three together.
Okay. Did you mean to second? I I did. Okay, great. Thank you for clarifying. Um any comments, questions, concerns. All right. Um seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion
has been approved. Thank you for coming. [Laughter] Hang out till the rain ends. Absolutely. Thank you. Perfect. Good. Thank you. Um, okay. So,
let's take some to item number five. Executive Director Pelman. Thank you. Uh, Assistant Director Julie Urban will present the staff report. Thank you, Chair Reese Daniels. Member of the members of the HRA. In 1996, Kathleen Broen and Mark Lowour received
a transformation loan for $8,445 from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to complete an addition on their home at 6733 11th Avenue South. The loan forgiveness date is July 23rd of 2026. Mark Lowour passed away unexpectedly in
2014. And while uh Kathleen intended to stay in the home past the forgiveness date, a recent medical diagnosis has made it necessary for her to move to more accessible housing. If not for the change in medical needs, the homeowner reports that she would have lived in the home past the loan forgiveness date. The
homeowner is requesting full forgiveness of her transformation loan in order to reserve her sales proceeds and remaining funds for medical expenses in the face of unknown costs to accommodate declining health. The executive director has the authority to forgive loans in
cases of financial hardship. However, the anticipation of future expenses does not fit the criteria for executive director uh discretion. the expected sales proceeds from the sale of the home would be sufficient to repay the HRA
loan. I would point out that uh the entire loan amount is due and payable if the property is sold within the 30-year period um regardless of the number of years remaining on the loan. And I would also point out that staff is not making a recommendation in this case, but we
are suggesting that the HA could consider three options. Number one, to forgive the loan in its entirety. number two to require a that a pro-rated amount be required in the amount of $281.50 and the third option would be to
not forgive the loan. If you have any questions, we're happy to answer. Thank you. Anybody have any questions? Is there a motion? And then we can have discussion if needed. one of the options or your own option.
Uh if I could just ask staff for context in things that do fit the discretion. Um but there are existing expenses. Do you generally require a prorated amount or what is your basis to offer forgiveness or require a portion of the loan to be repaid? Uh
typically, you know, we look at the settlement statement for the house and it's they show us and prove the gap the difference, right? And so if it's that they are completely underwater and are bringing money to closing, there's absolutely nothing to pay the HA back,
we might consider full forgiveness. Um this was a typical situation during the foreclosure crisis. We would sometimes negotiate a modest amount, $1,000 or $1,500. It would depend on the lender whether we would get anything or not. We're in second position in those cases, right?
So, we um would typically lose out. So, so this is an unusual situation. Um typically there is there are numbers that show what the gap is and so that determines what we might forgive. So, I will just say informally without
making a motion, I I guess I lean towards option two. It it feels a little bit petty to still ask for the 28150, but I feel like it's just a better precedent to point to that our our discretion is to count the 29 years and still ask for the one year.
Could I ask what $8,500 would mean to the city generally? So these funds, right, are they were worth a more back then when they were given, but they would go into that rehab loan um repayment fund that
we talked about. So even though transformation is now an EDA program, if something was originated in the HR back when the HRA ran it, it goes into that fund. And so right now we are using that for the fix up fund for the advisor program and for the home energy squad program. So for example it would fund a
fix up fund the current level right we're talking about reducing that but um so thank you helpful context. I will move option two um that we partially forgive but require the homeowner to pay the settlement amount
of 28150. Is there a second? I I'll second that. Okay. Thank you. All right. It has been moved and seconded. Anyone want to start discussion? I can start. This is tough, right? Um, which is I understand why you uh brought
this to us. I think um for myself, I I would love to be able to forgive this fully as you think about an individual homeowner, what that means to them. I also know what it means then, you know, thank you for the context about what that could fund in the city
towards others. And um you know to me looking at there is not a financial hardship necessarily because you would be able to profit that back. Um I do feel like it is fair to pay a settlement amount as you have
stated um to continue that good faith right of of what this what this means to these um loans and and where that money goes back to. So I think that's where I sit. um you know
these are intended to be paid back. That's kind of the goal of them, right? And so how do we continue to make sure that that happens? Anyone else? Yes, go ahead. Well, I I would say that, you know, I was certainly kind of debating between option one and option two. I think this
is a situation where I think compassion is needed um you know, for the people involved with the uh the medical circumstances. Um, I was kind of, you know, between option one and option two, I guess, I guess,
um, uh, Commissioner Herford Lir's comment about, you know, setting a precedent and going with option two is, uh, is is a valid concern. So, um, that's why I I did decide to second the motion. Anyone
else? All right. All those in favor of the motion on the table, which is to um option number two from your packet um repay a settlement amount of 28150. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Thank
you. Uh this takes us to item number six, H discussion items. Are there any HA discussion items? Seeing none, uh, item number seven, executive director's report. Yes. Thank you, Chair uh, Reese Daniels, members of
the board. I did want to just make a note of some upcoming meetings for the H so that you can get these on your calendar. Um, on June 10th, we'll have another work session. This will be with the city council and the planning commission to see uh, a prel preliminary
proposal for redevelopment of the um, American Legion site on Portland Avenue. That'll be at 6:00 pm. Then the following night, June 11th, will be the state of state of the community event here at uh city hall and that is from
4:30 to 700 p.m. And then on June 24th, we'll have a work session also with the city council to discuss the remaining vacant parcel at the Lindell Gardens site. That's anticipated to start at 5:45. So, we'll send out confirmations
as we get closer to those dates. Um, but the H doesn't have quite as many work sess work work sessions, so I want to give you advanced notice of of those. And that's it. Thank you. Um, item number eight, claims. Is there a motion to approve claims?
Uh, so moved. Second. It has been moved and seconded. Any comments, questions, or concerns? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. I opposed. Claims have been approved. That takes us to adjournment. Thank you
everyone. I hate banging that thing. All right. EDA. Everyone ready for EDA? All right. I will call to order the Economic Development Authority uh of the city of Richfield, May 19th, 2025. It is
7:17 p.m. Um we will start with our open forum. You can always refer to the EDA agenda and minutes web page for additional ways to submit comments. Seeing there is no one here for the open forum, I will move us on to approval of the minutes of the regular economic development authority meeting of March
17, 2025 and the economic development authority work session of April 21st, 2025. Is there a motion to approve? Uh motions to approve. Is there a second? Second. It has been moved and seconded. Any comments, changes, questions? Seeing none, all
those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. The minutes have been approved. Taking us to item number one, which is approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. Second. It has been moved and seconded. Any comments or changes?
Seeing none. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. The agenda has been approved. Item number two, the consent calendar. Executive Director Pelman. Thank you, President P. Daniels. The consent calendar can contain 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. Like the HA, there is just a single item on your consent calendar tonight. Item A, consideration of loan documents and a subordination of an apartment remodeling loan to be provided toward the pro
preservation of three affordable rental communities. And I submit this for your consideration. Uh, anything to be removed from the consent calendar? Seeing none, is there a motion to approve? I move approval of the consent calendar.
Uh second. It has been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. The consent calendar has been approved. Item number four. Um executive director Pelman. Thank you. And I will ask Jan Youngquist, economic development
manager, to present the report. Uh thank you, President Ve Daniels and EDA members. Um, at its April 21st, 2025 work session, the EDA discussed Richfield's past and current business assistance programs, as well as the creation of a new program to support
businesses in making improvements to the exterior of their commercial spaces, regardless of whether they own the property. Based on the work session discussion, staff is proposing that the EDA establish the Richfield Economic Vibrancy investment in visual enhancements or revive program, a pilot
program designed to support eligible businesses located along key commercial corridors and nodes in making visual enhancements to their buildings and sites. Much of Richfield developed in the postworld War II era. Although redevelopment has occurred over time,
there are commercial corridors and nodes in Richfield with the original buildings, many of which are 30 to 75 years old and are leased to local business owners. Some of these older commercial corridors are gateways to the city and can shape people's impression of the community's economic vibrancy.
Under the revive program, eligible businesses located in a commercial building that was constructed before 1995 may qualify for financial assistance between 2,000 and $10,000 to make exterior improvements that are visible from a public street or
sidewalk. The award amount would be based on the identified eligible expenses and would be structured as a forgivable loan with no interest and no payments. The loan would be forgiven after the recipient satisfactorily completes the requirements outlined in the revive program guidelines. Um, upon
approval of the revive program, staff will work with the EDA attorney to prepare the forgivable loan agreement and will develop program materials with the intent to launch the revive program this summer. Uh, that concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to take any
questions. Anybody have any questions, further questions on this? Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the Richfield Economic Vibrancy Investment and Visual Enhancements Program. Second. It has been moved and seconded. Any
comments, questions, concerns? Yes. Go ahead. I just say I'm excited about this program and glad to see the revisions and I hope we get some cool projects coming down the pipeline. Thank you. I would like to echo Commissioner Hayford Olyri. I'm I'm was really excited about this during our uh planning meeting and
so I'm I'm happy to see it coming forward also agree and I like the changes that we made and fine-tuning uh since the work session. So thank you for taking all the feedback and I think this is really exciting and hopefully gets utilized. So
that's awesome. Good. No, I I would agree as well. I'm certainly improving the aesthetics is a payback, I think, to the entire community that we're all going to uh um benefit from. All right, it has been moved and
seconded. Um all those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. The motion has been approved. Takes us to item number five, the EDA discussion items. Are there any discussion items? Nope. All right. Um, item number
six, executive director's reports. Thank you. I do not have a report tonight. Great. Um, this takes us to claims. Is there a motion to approve claims? I make a motion to approve claims. Second. Uh, it has been moved and
seconded. Any comments, questions, or concerns? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Claims have been approved. That takes us to adjournment. Thank you, everyone. The rain is unbelievably loud.