a meeting of the housing and Redevelopment Authority order roll call police. Colin Johnson, Joseph. ne Yang. Share Johnson is excused. Commissioners, Bowie and Coleman r excuse for PRESIDENT. Item number one, resolution 25, 1, 9, 6, 3, resolution and appreciation o called reels 30 years of service to the city of Saint Paul. Well, the first items on agenda today are recognizing folks that retiring. Here's city of Saint Paul. It's of that resolution is to recognize. Paul impose not here today, but we will be sharing a resolution with with Paul separately.
And so I'm really excited to recognize the folks and really appreciate their contributions to to our city's thank you. There any discussion we're going actually think what we do? We're going to see discussion for the 3rd item because we do 2 of them are here with us today. So that's that's thing to do. That's great. So with that, I'll take a motion from council vice PRESIDENT To approve all in favor say Aye. Aye the posts. 4 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted. Item number 2 resolution, 25 dash, 1, 9, 7, 6, recognizing Ross Couriers 11 year career with the Department of Planning and Economic Development. So again, this is a resolution that's recognizing Ross Perot, his contributions to our city night here. But we will be giving Ross the
resolution separately and really appreciate take a motion from council regained to prove this item all in favor say Aye. Aye. Was a close. 4 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted item. Number 3 resolution, 25 dash, 1, 9, 7, 2, recognizing Murray friendship for an extraordinary career with the city of Saint Paul and congratulating her on her retirement. So this is a resolution to recognize and her retirement and it will turn it over to director McMahon. Thank you so much. I am so glad summer is here. And we're able in-person to recognize her and celebrate her accomplishments and work with the city. I will read actual resolution rather than describing the things because it's pretty amazing that breath and the death of the work that Murray has done. So I want to make sure to go
through and to know that. But I also just wanted to know that I think it's great. Such a great example. But you've led through the city through the department in the work you've done not just in outcomes and we can talk a lot about the outcomes, but in who you are and how you are to And I know that has been deeply and greatly appreciated. From colleagues that I have heard from about yu even before I came to pd and when so thank you. Not just again. For the good work and for the outcomes, but for who you are, how you showed up and what you've done to help people in the city. All channel my, you know, I a lot went Former council PRESIDENT The adrenaline. We'll talk to folks and say, you know, you never really leave the city.
You are. You're always part of the city. But when you go around the city and particularly in the work you've done where there is this like physical manifestation of it that you take the time and the opportunity and maybe around the holidays, you can look at holiday lights but also go look at all of the work that you've done and you've contributed to and be able to point at that and say, you know, I know stuff about facts and worked on and I know the background of the history and and I had a hand and I was part of leading that effort. So thank you so much for that. And I would like to formally present you. With something to recognize your town And I would like the opportunity to read through it so we can all we can all hear exactly that breath and depth of experience and work them ready for So recognizing refund check for an extraordinary career with the city of Saint Paul in congratulating her on her retirement. Whereas Murray has had a
long career in public service starting a a nonprofit community organization in Chicago, providing economic development services before starting at the city of Saint Paul. And whereas Murray's project management career in planning and economic development from 1992 to 2025 spanned the administrations of mayors, Norm Coleman, Randy Kelly, Chris Coleman. And I think part of the 3rd and whereas Murray known for her tough but fair negotiation skills has worked on large-scale redevelopment projects that involve the coordination of not only private developers but several other city departments such as Parks and Public works. And whereas Murray has managed scores of projects representing tens of millions
of dollars in public investment and hundreds of millions of dollars in total development costs resulting in the creation and preservation economic development opportunities and critically needed affordable housing for Saint Paul businesses and residents. And whereas Murray was apd Project lead for the development Leon's Field. She coordinated multiple organizations, the stakeholders, some public improvements storm water treatment facility, land conveyance privately owned Public Park Agreement and Transportation management plan for game days. And whereas Murray, a dedicated environmentalist who advocates for climate resiliency and equity 3, any does. Minnesota was instrumental in the development of the first
affordable passive House multi-family building in Saint Paul called for didn't located in the West Side flats. This award-winning project demonstrated that a very high level of energy efficiency is achievable in affordable housing developments. And whereas Murray was a lead project manager for the West Side Flats, the Sea to the scene the Vernon located at West Side Flats. The resulted in 431 new housing units in the area. And whereas at a time when downtown was seeking new market rate, rental housing options and a large scale grocery store Murray stepped up to act as lead developer on behalf of the hra for the construction of the Penfield. A 254 unit mixed use building located at 101 10th Street East. The project was eventually sold and proceeds from the sale contributed to even more city projects. And whereas Murray coordinated the
redevelopment of City House that resulted in the preservation of the historic site on the Mississippi River. And whereas samples benefited from Murray's commitment to quality, affordable, safe and sustainable housing for residents of Saint Paul, including additional projects such as the development of the Jackson Street Village. 2700 University Moral Apartments, 12, 22 same poll. Midway residents simply park simply court. Most recently pre-development work on the hands. Historic reduce project. And whereas is a role model to all those on her team. She is admired for her calmness under pressure and her ability to see a silver lining in all situations. Traits that embody an ideal project manager. And whereas Murray takes time to mentor new project managers to be an
active part of the pd equity change team. And whereas in retirement, Maria will be able to spend more time with her husband, Paul and do the things she including hiking skiing and spending time with family and friends. And whereas after 34 years with the city of Saint Paul Murray is bringing her career in public service to a close and now therefore be it resolved in great, full and sincere recognition for 34 years of dedicated public service to the city of Saint Paul, the housing and Redevelopment Authority here by honors 3 French out on the 17th day of DECEMBER in the year 2025 congratulations and thank you so much. Thank you so much. Joes and members of the hra. I want to thank you for honoring me with taking the time to honor me with this
recognition. You know, it's really been an honor and a privilege to work for the city of Saint Paul. And Cheree for 32 years. And I've always appreciated how hard working and of standing in the City council a jury members are especially coming from Chicago. Originally and I really appreciated how the injury work to really understand complex redevelopment issues and challenging questions and help us do our job, even better and it also appreciated the support that the council and commissioners have shown to staff which makes our job a easier. And we work together. I'm getting these projects forward. It's been great to
see how the city and elected officials and staff have become more representative also of the population of Saint Paul on especially having more women. All women on the city Council. So I feel really lucky to have been able to work for p e d which is a really memorable and creative department. I think and we've worked really hard to leverage a you know, funding for the projects that we've been working on. And so I'm sad to be leaving this challenging but really rewarding work. Moats most of which recently has focused on affordable housing. But I feel really good leaving. It's been particularly the housing team that has some really, really brilliant project managers, confident that a lot of these projects are going forward. So thank
you. thank you so much. And thank you to everyone that's here today. Really appreciate everyone showing up to support worry and also other folks that are retiring. I guess open it up to discussion comments from my colleagues. PRESIDENT Thanks, chair. Just I really appreciate the opportunity to recognize 3 of our incredibly dedicated public servants. All I'll have to follow up with pollen Ross separately tell my comments face-to-face. But to Murray, just a huge, huge. Thank you. I had to smile a little bit when Dr McMahon about the tough but fair negotiation skills, part because I remember actually remember literally where I was in my house pacing around my office as we talked on the phone about a particular
development very early on when I was on the council And I don't know that I knew unrealistically tough. I was trying to be on the developer. I think you said something like, well, they're going to have 30 years of affordability. And I said, yeah, what about 50 and to your credit? That you didn't say go jump a lake. You said, yeah, I think we can. And we did. And you know, a project I'm talking about anybody can data requests for project I'm talking about. And I'm really glad that we that point because you are willing to to take a shot at it and to really push back and get the best possible returns for the city and not just dismiss a baby councilmember off the bat. So thank you for everything that you've done and to advanced point you don't actually have to drive
around very far. You could probably stand outside City Hall and just do a quick bird's-eye and you could see dozens of projects that I wouldn't be here without you. So thank you. The comments from my colleagues for chair chills. I've got to say I am definitely not ready to get to this day because Iknow this will not be the first of a place like this that we're handing out. And so it's very, very bittersweet area. Want to say thank you for your service to city. I know as a cumber who's only been here for 5 years really getting to see, you know, the last few years work that you've done here in terms of like I worked together. But what's with the incredible is that, you know, during my time here, I'm able to really speak to so much of the great progress of our city because of the work that you
contributed to you. And so I want to say thank you for being such incredible building blocks city. I know that you and everybody him pd is so invested in our vision to make sure that as a city are always moving forward. We're always working to improve and make sure people get the top notch quality of life. Here. That we can offer not only in housing, but that they're also able live in housing that is dignified and affordable, too. And you are somebody who has helped make that possible. And so I want to say thank you because a mission that I know is deeply aligned with what residents in our city want to. And we could not have done it without you some things for making our city at the wonderful place that it is to live in. And I have wish you a wonderful retirement and for
you to lots wonderful time making memories with your husband and your loved ones. Because I you've given a lot of time to use that you knew definitely to serve that time with your family, too. Thank on this. I'll Murray, I really, really appreciate your service to our city when reading through the resolution and all the different projects that you've touched in hundreds. And we're talking hundreds of units of housing. and what that means for our city and for residents and and are our gals as an hr it a bill to build more housing. That really means a lot. And I think I also think about my job as an engineer and why like that job because you get to see the things that you've done. You to see the buildings in the projects done. And so for you, I'm like present maker said to or on the scene say I hope that this to help with that. I mean, it's just
it just speaks volumes, too 2. How how much you have shaped our city in your role here pd and also say Chair Johnson is not here today, but she was in several of the meetings will prepared for this meeting today to recognize you Ross and Paul. And she also really center appreciation for your effort and and also just, you know, in supporting her in her role as a cherry cherry. And so thank you so much for for your commitment to our city. And I also wish you the best in your in your retirement. I see that you have a lot of really great hobbies and that hopefully you'll get to enjoy those for many years to come. And thank you so much. And with that, we have that a couple. Thank Thank you. So with take a motion from
council PRESIDENT Maker to approve this item all in favor say Aye, aye. All those oppose. 4 in favor. None oppose. The resolution is adopted item number for resolution. 25 dash, 1, 9, 6, 6, Resolution supporting the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District, flood mitigation and Greenspace improvement Project and Hre owned property. So this is an item that was before us last week for a staff report to know is before for come for a cherry action. I would take a motion from Councilmember Ying for approval. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say Aye, Those posts. 4 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted. Staff report item number 5.25, dash, 2, 7, 1, 2025. A here in U.S.. And I'll over to director
Ethan to present to us with business or year and reflect. Thank you so much. Chair commissioners for the opportunity. You know, it's something that was done last year and I know talking as we were approaching the end of the year, this is something that would be of interest you all to do again and I'm glad that you said, yes, we have the opportunity to go through everything in here because there is so much that happens in the day-to-day and behind the scenes sometimes taking a moment to celebrate the work of all the folks you see and many, many others that are part of pt in doing this good work. And that's why I start with this picture, right? I want to start with the team because that's who's behind everything that he's doing. Everything. And that is the day today. So I wanted to make sure start by celebrating the team
working in pd and everything that they truly these next slides or everything that they have accomplished as a group a moving. And so starting with some of those, you know how we celebrate our bond rating, which I personally love something that might not be getting headline, but it's something that's incredibly impactful and incredibly important in the city. There's a lot of things like that to happen within pd. And so these are things that showcase the good work done again every other day, things like having successful audits, right? Having the independent 3rd party verify that our standards and our practices that gives assurances the public and provides transparency needed a stewards of public dollars. And then you can see here as well. The impact that are financing grants team has done to
support work across the department when we successfully complete compete for regional state dollars, it gives our residents the tools that they need to continue their good work in community. And I'm not going to read through every you've got and you can see all of the detailed good things. Some specific. So looking at project opening. So just a few of the projects that have opened in this past year. But to open, you've got the Williams, which is 90 units between 30 and 60%. Am I leed Silver Building? You've got the Harkin, which will be 60 units between 30 and 50%. Am I and the Marshall Avenue flats of 98 units between 30 60 and my that's also the be 3 standard with a white rest in terms of sustainability. So not just new and additional housing units which are always needed. But when you look at
that deep levels of affordability, which I know has been a priority of of you all to have that as well to make sure we're really providing opportunity across the economic spectrum for anybody who once lived in Saint Paul have an opportunity live in Saint Paul. And it's really exciting to see the impact of that and homes for people. Some projects that we closed on. I know it's a project closings but close on the projects for him to move forward. Yeah. The opportunity for things like Campbell Court, which is every have a 72 existing units constructing 26 new units, Mary Hall, which is 88 units close at the end of 2024. And you have Jack switch. 3 part of them later. But you've got Jackson Street Village refinancing simply park in civil court subordination, which preserved affordability for 243 units
for an additional 30 years. We also have passed Pastor Grandstand. See, look at Hamm's brewery where the West Side complex condoms, $800,000 in the east and buildings got 1.1 million dollars. But there's several other housing developments where we successfully competed and were able to get past grants to help these developments move forward. Places like Lexington to Lux te Beasley 10. 36 Marshal Laurie Bill and face to face. An additional in additionally to supporting rental units. Also homeownership. We units of home ownership that we're moving forward through the inheritance fund. There's down payment assistance with 24 closings. And 11 million dollars that is committed in spending. And so really, again, trying provide opportunity across economic income levels, but also to provide both rental and home ownership for Willie, that that generational wealth
building that we want our community. We also have some major development sites. We really are unique as a city, a fully built out city have opportunities with these multi acre everything from 30 or 4200 acre sites moving forward. Those are quite a challenge in terms of touching all sorts of city departments and pd really being able to track and ensure that we are moving officially and effectively to move these major sites forward United Village. And, you know, when you go by intersection of selling university, a very visible sign of something new is a very large public art sculpture of the loon, which folks have all seen whether near or far probably due to
its size. But you also have construction of the office building and the restaurant place at commence this year. Expect construction of the hotel to begin next year. The infrastructure work is ongoing and really seen the cranes and seeing things move on that site. It's exciting. There's a stadium to bring vibrancy and now it's still continuing with Highland Bridge. You know, the actions that you took as hr this spring has resulted in visible progress. Now, restarting on that site, black to is well underway to provide additional housing on the site as well as retail on Fort Parkway, 11, which is the wider multi field family building that you heard more about previously this year is also in progress and on the Heights, you have Habitat for humanity which very exciting has sold some of the first homes. We have residents
moving again, those home ownership opportunities in Saint Paul. And there's been a lot of work done in a jury on land. And we've discussed that landed them before you before. But creating that disposition strategy. Now I having identified and categories all a jury on land with that. I and that goal of disposition. So you've already begun to see some of that work to come into fruition. Even just in the last few weeks with actions that you sold transferred a cherry on land. We intend to keep bringing those disposition actions throughout 2026, the cyberattack delayed some of the work, but working on updating those maps to allow interested individuals, developers to click on properties directly and indicate their interest to really move forward again, expeditiously to transfer to
sell those units, 9 projects that have been started in progress or completed in 2025. And a lot of action downtown. So a lot of our work is done in collaboration with external partners such as we've got the Downtown Alliance. You've got the chamber, a lot of external partners visit Saint Paul, but as well as internally with other departments as well. So Madison, Equities property Lines, Bank came to an abrupt and 7 closure. We work to ensure that those businesses had the opportunity to continue to operate in Saint Paul with relocation grants. A lot of events you can see, you know, supporting business involvement and hoping that when we have an event like the outside festival and when we have the upcoming World Juniors tournament that our local businesses here benefit
from it that they benefit from community being part of it. They benefit from customers being part of it and they're essentially in on the action right at their part of it. If you want to, Iknow a lot families looking for free activities for kids over winter break from school is out. I would also put in a pitch for World juniors and all of the free activities downtown that folks can come and kids can enjoy as well a bumper cars on ice. Just saying that is a fun, an exciting opportunity. I will definitely partaking in. Again. I talked about collaboration with partners and you can see a lot of partners there. You can see the picture park opening a lot of things t support, vibrant bustling downtown. D then additional local business apart outside of downtown
commercial corridors. So in APRIL, the city council approved the commercial corridor. A gun is a shunt assistance program. Guidelines in MAY. The program was launched by JULY pd had executed 18 contracts, one for each corridor. That's phenomenal. And so I do want to just take a moment. Think about when you talk about one year in 2025, to go from establishing a setting out having guidelines contracts out the door and the money is being spent. That's real impact on our corridors or commercial corridors in our neighborhoods and for small business owners. People who live in Saint Paul business in Saint Paul work in Saint Paul. So really want to make sure to to celebrate that impressive launch of that program. Additionally in planning and zoning, there's a lot of action going on. And there you have the hands local designation and rezoning the
Hamlin midway plan he's owning tax amendments that you almost recently passed additional dwelling unit to look at. And then the Mississippi River critical Quarter area zoning which is completed in 2025. So also want to take a moment to celebrate that because that it's been a pocess and it's wonderful to see it completed successfully. And then I did want to take a moment again and no sustainability sustainability is a hard one because it really It could have been on every single other slight, right. So I call it out here in a separate slide. But it really is sort of threw out everything that we do. So multi-family housing projects that we provide financial public public financial support for comply with the sustainable building ordinance that requires rigorous green building and
health requirements. There's a healthy homes programs to provide things like pre weatherization weatherization. And so we've got a great dedicated staff fr sustainability within pt the really the entire pd team on everything that they work for advance a sustainability and resilience in our communities. And again, when and with the team, because all of the signs that you saw before it is all the great work that they have done. So I'm glad that we had opportunity to highlight some of the things. It is not everything. There's a lot. I'm sure that in that a lot. I know that did not get on the sides, but a lot of good work done and in fact, have the opportunity to take a moment to celebrate at. Thank you, director I really appreciate your work in putting this together. I think it's so important to celebrate all of
the work that we've done together this year and just just to see it again. Sometimes we go we can. We do so many things that you'd We did this. We did that and says the impact of this is. You know what this means for Sunday. Thank you so much for putting that together. Are there any questions or comments from my colleagues? Council PRESIDENT? Thanks, chair. Just no questions. Just a huge kudos to you. Dr McMahon and entire team. It's been a year of transition of a lot of chaos all over our community and seeing this work as the chair just said, put in one place I powerful. And it's incredible. How much has been accomplished. Despite everything else that's been coming at us, I want to especially shout out Rachel in the team at the Inheritance Fund. We had a great
celebration on the West side just this weekend of and actually got to meet that some of the first recipients of inheritance, fun funding on the West Side Flats, which was really it just just beautiful it like a homecoming. There were tears. There was joy. It was it was really wonderful. It was. And then we really proud to be part of the city and and to be colleagues with a team that is doing such great work on that front. So looking forward to more of that continuing, I also want to shout out and anybody I'm not shouting out to. I'm not not showing up to you, but they're just some folks that I want it any burn. And the commercial partner organization Systems Program, which needs a new name but is it just as you just said, having $936,000 out the door and we've heard about it like we've seen. We've heard from our district our community members about the direct
ongoing impact that's making. And it's wonderful not be able to say when folks say, well, do you have a fun to do x, y or z? And before I would have said, well, if capital dollars now, I say, yeah, actually, we do. And in fact, it might be in the hands of the District Council Business Association in your neighborhood finally, finally, the one thing I want help hope to see in this presentation next time, I think when our economic development strategy is done help with us but attracting jobs and businesses to our community. We see the housing is going great. And Ithink than the other side that point making sure residents have great jobs nearby. So hoping that we can see some more of that reported on next year. But thank you, mostly just for all the work. Thank PRESIDENT. Worrying. Thanks, Charles Fight. Really appreciate the presentation. I am so grateful
to everybody in pd for all of their work on these important projects and silent. Extended thank you to everybody here for the developers in my ward who have projects that are still there's no record and to get to the finish line. I really appreciate it. That during my check ins, like they're always you know, each just had a meeting with city staff about it. And so it they they feel supported to incite. Just want you all to know that I was wondering, director McMahon, if you would just be able share with us briefly about the status for for healthy homes and power of homes. And only recently got to, you know, gotten to know aout during the end of the budget season there. But I'm wondering what we should
anticipate. Going into next year for those 2 programs. Yeah, it's exciting that they're moving forward and continuing for that. I can get you more details in terms of specifics with how many individuals or individual properties are served, et cetera, as that continues moving through. Kurt and Dave are doing a great job getting that program really. Again, launched and set up this another example launching setting up and really the action for next year. Okay, a can me get some sort of briefing about going into next year really great. Treat any other comments from my colleagues. director Fn. I really appreciate the presentation especially appreciate our transaction. This year on Highland Bridge. I was just
out there last week during the blizzard to tour the construction site, a black 2, which is coming on very quickly. And it's going very well and then also tour the rest of the site and with the new mayor elect. And so that was really just think it's great to see every time that we're building this projects to see how they're moving along. And then when they opened to see to see you, you know what that means for everyone and in our residents. They really appreciate appreciate the work that all of us do. And also second with the council PRESIDENT Said about commercial corridors. I was just talking to when we're district councils and they had tons of people that were interested and all these ideas with the money for the commercial corridors. And so that really make such a big impact in our communities. And they really just very
appreciative of that. And I also I'm excited about the World juniors and thanks for sharing the activities. I was just looking at those myself and also saw the bumper it was a just for kids. But I'm hoping to check that out. So thank you so much to you for all your work this year. And also really just appreciative of all the staff. It's great to see everyone here. You've been very supportive to in my role as a cherry stepping into the role from Chair Johnson's. But I think you will as well. So the next item on our agenda, we're actually going to take a recess and reconvene discussion. The next resolution at the City Council meeting, wich is where will be taking action having a
public hearing on that item. So with that, the teacher is in recess. Resolution is adopted. All right. We're going to the ocher gavel out gavel in vice chair, justice chairing our So I will. Council meeting is in recess like to call the meeting of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to order roll call, Johnson toast. Counsel or a decision of new left make here 6 6 6 present. One absent being Councilmember Johnson and she is excused. Item number one is item number 6, I should say is resolution 25 dash 1960, approving and authorizing the establishment of the grand and Victoria Redevelopment Project area redevelopment plan there for the establishment of the
Grand Victorian tax increment financing, district, a tax increment financing, plan. They're 4 and a jury budget amendment and the execution of a tax increment development agreement and related documents. Thank you, Greg. This is basically an execution of that agreement and we're taking section at the church result. A commotion from council present maker to approve this item. Roll call, please. I really know. Coleman. Yes, Johnson toast. Yes, him, yes. Maker. I 5 in favor. One opposed that being councilmember fully. The