We just feel authority to Please. But we care comment. Johnson. Vice chair toast here. There are 5 present and 2 absent that being commissioners, Johnson Coleman and they are excused. Item number one for discussion is resolution. Our a es 26 dash, 1, 2, 5, Authorizing the execute authorizing the executive director of the City of Saint Paul Housing Redevelopment Authority to consent. And to execute without prior a tree board approval. Any environmental covenants and easements concerning projects for which the hra is a lender citywide. We'll turn this over to director fan for an explanation of the site. Thank
you so much to adjust. The Minnesota pollution control agency is responsible for preventing and reducing the pollution of air land and water in Minnesota. And as such they have overnight oversight over remediation measures. Redevelopment sites contaminants either exist or might exist. So on redevelopment site after remediation is completed, the emcee Mpca MAY require ongoing maintenance or land use restrictions that's often done through placing an environmental covenant on the land. A consent to an environmental covenant might be required if own land or provide financing for the redevelopment on the land. So consent into an environmental covenant does not acknowledge liability on the part of the hra. This item authorizes executive director the hra to consent and execute environmental covenants and he's my documents for projects where we're lender. So the site and then gets that authorization to the executive directors each individual covenants doesn't need to come
to the hre board generally and farm 3rd, simply matter. Of course, projects such as this. We recommend approval. Thank you, director also added we discuss this with Chair Johnson and agreed that this was one of the easiest path since it is basically mandated by the mpca. And so we didn't think it was necessary to bring it forward to the cherry every time. And we do expect this to happen. And and quite a few projects moving forward here. I will take a motion from council PRESIDENT Maker to approve. There any discussion? Shun. And also is it open for question? No. Excuse me. If there was like a briefing prior to this, I was aware of it. But I do want to just ask the question, particularly around. So we just kinda know in the context how are voting oversight is really important.
And we all know that we have some really strong environmental justice goals and climb justice goals, particularly with this. Can you give example of like how like how this item example of like project that came before us because I'm just trying to just understand like what we are streamlining streamlining and like it. This is just a a fix to a technical problem or if, you know, also sharing. So what is the level of oversight for certain projects that require changing the commitment? Pitcher just commissioner really, give MAY be more of a general and see if the attorney maybe has any specific examples I think you specifically think because there are so many general so after project has happened on
a project, perhaps involved in the financing. We have to approve that. So that's a lot of the oversight that this board does is approving the financing and improving our investment in that redevelopment project. That project then would complete remediation and pca again is the oversight jurisdiction body for that? As a matter again, to me, it's more of a tech. I would categorize that as more of a technical thing. As a end to that remediation that might require a covenant on the land. The covenant would go through the city attorney's office. They would review and approve it for additional oversight. And usually it's something tat that type of thing. Often executive director can sign to authorize. We previously been going to the board for them
individually. And made a lot more sense to give that authority to the executive director to sign. Considering Joe question things, turtles. I do have a question. I think those are really great questions. Cuts we? So thank you for asking them. The type of person where examples are really helpful. And so I appreciate the question. I also us this morning, director man, if yu can share that, is there. Is there any reason why we shouldn't approved the is there any concerns at all that we should know about before make a decision? I do remember. If that, in fact, they request around their environmental covenant and easement easements coming our way. And I don't think we've ever I don't think we have ever not approved them. You know, and so I don't see an issue with that. But just want to make sure I understand more. Just commissioning. I
don't have any issues with it as really friends of operations t be able to after remediation is completed. These are often required by the mpc and the farm is required. We don't really have a choice. 3 mutations simply one of the mechanisms that the mpc a's us. Thanks. That's where you get making for your. Thank you for your questions. That one of the interpretation that understood to is that it's something required by the mpca to bring it forward to the jury would be more of. Sort just getting to the process of what would be the same outcome. But certainly folks to have, you know, I do have questions as as these happen moving forward. They can certainly reach out to director McMahon understands will be beyond quite a few.
Quite a few projects. So. Yes, with that being said, any other questions or discussion on this? We have motion from council PRESIDENT Maker. All those in favor say Aye, aye. Those polls. 5 in Favor. 0 Post resolution is adopted. Item. Number 2 staff report Sr 26 Dash 8 Saint Paul Commercial corridors update program guidelines. Looks like we have any rain here to give a presentation on this item. Welcome. commissioner, it's your Joe said. My name is Andy Burnham, oppression manager and they come development team and I've been managing the commercial corridor program and here to give an update on our recommended changes for the As you recall 2025 is the first year of this program and
we considered it to be a pilot are vry interested in giving feedback from that quarter organizations and ways that we can make improvements to make sure that we're achieving the impact intended with this program. Polarization asked to provide, requested changes through their quarterly reporting throughout throughout te year. Really, we're interested in getting that feedback and around round tables as well as our office hours. 7 requests. Total were submitted. And They worry most of the Marines are in the geography. So big into these a little bit deeper. But it's a quick overview, of the Eiger feet. So requesting to basically to extend their corridor. Grande size is also issue that they
would like to us to reconsider and then also the flexibility. The grant you specifically increasing the amount available for operations. So we consider all requests and we're moving forward. The recommending changes to a few of the quarter geographic boundaries and the Grande size. We're also recommending at some language that would just build in a little. Extra focus ability so that we can respond to I request it's deemed appropriate and needed. So I would begin to each of these little bit more. First, the geography changes. S there are 3 corridors that recommending weeks and their boundaries for support Parkway corridor currently the West boundary is Creen Avenue and were asked to extend that to Mississippi River Boulevard that will capture additional
businesses. Basically, all these all these requests are to just capture additional businesses and organizations feel like it's a better fit for the commercial corridor to include just a few extra bucks really the East 7th corridor, currently the boundaries arcane and they ask us to extend that to 4 street. So we recommend extension. And then Colin Deal corridor. That's the the upper left kind looks like a asked. Rick is 3 streets como Dale and front and they're asking weeks and each a few blocks. So we are recommending we move forward with those. Extensions. And then quickly out all. I want to note this 5th
Avenue corridor realize it kindness. And that was a little bit of al Aire has a relatively small number of businesses and a large percentage of residential land use. So actually recommend we we remove this corridor. I go into that a little bit more when I discuss. The ort size and some of the feedback. And and our recommendation moving forward several corduroy organizations give us that he backed that it seemed pretty inequitable to give the same award size 2 quarters of such different size. as you recall, we had to award sizes. The scientific order was in or adjacent to an area of concentrated poverty. If so they received 81,500, otherwise all quarters received 74,000 that they were
not in acp. That said there's a big variation from, you know, a quarter of less than a mile to over 3 miles. Each getting the same amount. 74,000. So we took a closer look at that. The length of each quarter, the number businesses on each quarter and the land use between residential and commercial. Based on that, we just categorized and found made the most sense to face that word size in categories on the number of bsinesses. So we chose 300 businesses to be served the cut out. So a quarter of the has less than 300 businesses be considered a medium corridor. This captures 10 corridors total. Can see in this table are still recommending. The award is slightly higher amount for corridors in areas of concentrated poverty. And then for quarters. More than 300 businesses were considering
large. And that includes 7 corridors. And again, different amounts. It there in acp. So you can see the amounts here and and as I mentioned, this spree, this first year 2025 the word size was the that either 74,000 or 81,500, so very close for the medium size, that's really not changing. We are able award a little bit more because removing Smith. Now we have 17 corridor so same amount of funding. 1.4 million, but 7 court are sir, able to work a little bit per quarter. And You'll see my final bullet here gives a little more detail about like I said, we just found it greater percentage residential land use had 74% is considered land is residential land use. And
just 38 businesses on this quarter. So we really see this is a micro corridor and therefore, I'm recommending it no longer receive its own award. PRESIDENT A question thanks adjust and first officer and thank you so much for your hard work on this and I'm so excited and said this before at results we've seen just from the first year of this. And I'm grateful to taken. They're sippy and feedback and making these recommendations for how to make it better. We knew when we started the program, we you know, w designing it and it was pilot and we would see him change it. So this is great. I guess I'm just wondering in terms of the recommendation to. Categorize quarters as medium versus large in terms of number businesses. I know that all the Carters are different lengths as well. And so I guess thinking about a couple of things. You know, in some
ways we've decided how long the corridors are. And so we sort limited the amount of businesses are extended. The amount of business is based on our way of drawing that map. And so I'm wondering if maybe density of businesses is a better way to think about it rather than your number. The other thing I'm wondering about business is does that occupied active business versus a vacant space. But I don't want to do is reward successful corridors and penalize with lots of vacant businesses. We could argue that those actually need more support. And then finally, again, just the sheer length since these funds are intended to be flexible in support corridors, not just be say grants to businesses. The number businesses per se doesn't seem necessarily like
the most. It seems like maybe length is a better. Metric in that. If you're doing. Street furniture banners or an event that activates the corridor. The length of the corridor is really going t turn your expense. Not so much. The number of businesses want it. So. Just through a lot of ideas out there. But I'm wondering maybe you can see a little bit more about the thinking behind just purely number of businesses as the metric. Make sure Joe's comes number and maker. Thank you for that. And yes, there was a lot of data Digest and think about what makes the most sense. And actually researching that thing. Staff-suggested we create a index. Which I think is great. I think our logic was for this, you know, going basically. One category or just enough acp in the 9 ecp to these 2 seem like a good step to
get a little bit more reflective of what actual quarter looks lke. But I absolutely agree. There are a lot ways that we could look at this. And I that specifically If a quarter has a lot of vacancies. And yes, they MAY likely need more assistance. if you're looking at the numbers, it did scene. You know, I considered. Using different variables to be that kind. Asked in that same lake. The number businesses was the most. Think there are less a liar's. If that makes But we can definitely look at this again. And teacher is interested in us doing a little like treating the index to be honest. You know, I just wasn't sure if there's interest in that kind of But we can we can certainly do that. I will, you know, towards
the end of this presentation, I was going to say the next, you know, we're planning coming back for approval, even low have a little time on FEBRUARY 11. So we certainly have time you are interested playing around with the state a little more to see. What else might be a better fit for how we create these categories? Yeah, curse of my colleagues. Have any Present a Curry. Appreciate your comments. I was also thinking about, you know, removing Smith Avenue. Removing any part of the quarters is kind of a big is a big deal. I would be curious to know if it's something like businesses per mile or or something like that is a metric. And additionally, 2, a I think the overall length of the court something to consider and
then, you know, are there notes, neighborhood notes MAY be in the corridors. And I think most of these have notes and in their quarters. But of those little be be interesting to to understand, as we're looking at this decision. And I do also agree the point about vacancies I think is important. And even the you know, the potential of a corridor just because their business is there now doesn't mean there could be businesses there in the future wanting to provide support for those, you know, quarters with that potential would be helpful. And so if or if there's any other, you know, if there's any other metrics that you and your staff are considering or thinking about. Well, you developing this. That would be helpful to understand, understand, too. And then also just curse of my colleagues have comments about that.
Alex, councilmember also jst guess is proteus, particularly of I councilmembers are kind of different terms of how we want to do outreach and getting the word out actually work really closely with some of these business organizations are corridor organizations like, for example, like Rondo Community Land Trust. Not only are they. Developing revitalizing Selby Avenue. They also are really strong with our inheritance fund grant managing operating that. So. just I just kind of a question, but also a comment. And you know, I meet with the team often talking about really expanding and investing in our Cointreau corridors. And I know that is something that historically planning economic development team has focused on have done studies for and that's your chair Johnson before really
want to see what our our kasia studies or cause a corridor studies and getting that study in front of us because I think there is something say in terms of like the vitality of certain neighborhoods and they now the concho fabric, but also the legacy preservation where one will call so be the corridor. But another person would know it as Rondo. Right. And a person would know it has really a predominately African-American PRESIDENT. And I think, you know, there's opportunities for us to layer funding and be able to leverage funding, whether it's on a national level. But een what some of our nnprofits so there's that also, I really wouldn't want to see just like how some of our public are in organizations, like, for example, say Paw. That same
springboard springboard for the arts and because they have a really great tool kid, particularly around what looks like to establish a creative economy really seeing are these corridors and are the events that take Corridors, for example, or Costco festivals as community wealth, incubators. And w have, I would say in and say, pass some really strong legacy festivals that really. Now there are in the heart of our corridors are maybe in our neighborhoods and he gives us the opportunity to to really help activate some of So, but yet there's not much of a question, but it's just really just how I'm thinking
about it and make the type of relationships and partnerships. I would love to see this Yeah, I made Sure commission, but we thank you for that. And my immediate thought is that cb. Great topic to bring to around tables. Those in my monthly. recently to talk about shared interests and I no, no number, you know, events are extremely popular, popular use of these funds. And, yes, a lot of the organizations are also working and building their branding and identity. So there's definitely room and I think connecting with a partner like springboard or organizations. We really helpful. So I will bring that back to the thinking. Kuz worrying. Thank you. Churchill's to really appreciate the presentation here and just
getting the board on board basically with the changes that are being proposed. I'm wondering about the one of the bullet points the slide. Other recommended guideline updates. But this is the will of Congress as operational support was determined to be eligible use of business France. This will be removed from guidelines. I know that you I have heard from many of our business associations that some of that to how I have about the need for that operational support to be an eligible use. Sand and I am. I do share the frustration about them. That's not being, you know, ledge and not being an eligible use since I'm just wondering what you what you all be able to McMahon. Maybe this is a question for you. Can you just say a bit more about that? We give are there
ways for us to? Are we like basically guided by when it comes to for other ways to get around to it. If folks are feeling strong about making a change in, should be to connect with legislators about it. And then just some of the I wanted to mention, too, is that I feel really strongly about finding ways for us to be able to provide operational support. This was something that was brought up, you know, when that meant that was doing there, construction work on our Kate Street and then now with the ice raids happening in our communities left to right are our business committees are are suffering even more and and experiencing deep revenue loss when it comes to their operations. And so that's why once again, they've come to us relief with a plea for support in
providing operational financial support to them. And so I I'm interested in figuring out what other funding sources that we that we have to it provide this, whether it's through a business assistance. If it's a matter of changing guidelines there. I want to let folks know that I'm very open to doing that. I know it's a very small funded member could be. It's like maybe 200 k that we have left in there. It would be good to get an update about that. But I wonder if you can just speak more about that bullet If we want to to able make that change, where does that happen? So that committee members also know 2 and get that transparency. Yhe director of infection, just commissioning. Thank you. I appreciate bringing that up. And so, yeah, we can tll a little bit now, but the 3rd bullet point. Let any go back
to the first 2. So as with any program that we operate, right, we need to look at the source of funds that we're using for that program when we need to look at what the restrictions are for those funds. We wrk with the city attorney's office really make sure that we're following any restrictions of those funds might have and making sure that we're using them appropriately as public funds. So this is an instance and working with that. We receive guidance from city Attorney's office on what those funds eligible uses for. And that's part of why I appreciate that. We've got a few weeks to continue the conversation. With all of you to talk more about what those eligible uses are for the funds as economic development funds being used for this the callenge of trying to use them for business operations in that respect. And so I think we can have have more discussion ad continue the discussions
specifically about that for the source for this fund and what other opportunities MAY or MAY not be available depending on what other sources we have in different programs as well. Enough. That's roughly what the you know, it doesn't require some sort of change at the state legislature for its first even be able to use the commercial corridor funds for operational support are like where? Where does the change mean occur? And I'm happy to follow up. You don't have the answer, but just wanted to ask after that. Yeah, vice chair just Commissioner Yang. I don't know that a legislative change for this sources. You specifically, but I would defer to the city attorney's office for that. Pressure
grows commissioner. You. That was our guidance from the city attorney's office. You were not e-mail earlier today, but Johnson pose a number of questions specifically on this topic. are responsible. We will provide a memo by the end of the detailing our advice. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. And then also present makers. The questions thanks Joe stands and really appreciate bringing that up. I feel very strongly that operational support is not just a critical component of the program, but it's one of the reasons why we created this program in first place we're hearing from business owners that not only was our neighborhood starring Eurostar programs. Difficult to use and apply and competitive, but also that they are restricted to capital
and that there's so many needs that are not capital needs, especially as as you noted right now. We worked very closely with the city attorney's office several years ago on a which they produced for us to be very clear, the source of these funds, economic development star and the memo was very clear that economic development start maybe as for operational purposes. So I think it's really important that we get consistent guidance from the city attorney's office and this I will share the memo that we received from the city attorney's office previously stating that this was the jet. We wouldn't move forward with this in the first place. If we hadn't been confident that the fund was appropriate for this use. And again, I would really, really ask the city attorney's office if they're now issuing contradictory guidance to be very clear
about what was what has changed since the last guidance was issued. Yeah. Thank you, everyone for your comments that I I look forward to. That man was well and then, you know, depending With that, I will says just what are what are the next steps are other options? Because as council PRESIDENT, a Kurd mentioned, like this I really high priority for us. It's a it's a problem that we still you know, like to find a way to soften what what opportunities are options that there might be. Director of Yeah. Thank you very much again for this question. Really appreciate everyone. And that's part of why decided to wait a few weeks on this to make sure that we can all get together. We can all be on the same page. We can all understand exactly. What funds MAY or MAY not be used for. And depending on that, whether we're looking at other sources, other opportunities, right, how
essentially problem solve this together. So I appreciate that. Will continue. All right. so just a couple of their recommended updates. And we first of all. recommending that we and mission, the guidelines that will just allow us some minor Nick, specific order, specific changes. This would follow the Cao Amendment Approval would be required. But we're just thinking this would allow flexibility to be strategic and to respond to timely needs. One example that I'll give one of the requests we see that are not recommending a growing community council asked to than extend their existing corridor. They want a fun notes our preference is let's stay with the quarter model. But if there's the
circumstances. Call for specific notes, receive some assistance, then we could certainly consider that in this. It meets the. Public purpose serves economic development, purpose and approval is received. We could go ahead with that. So recommending we just add some language that will give us flexibility. And that is kind of tied to another recommendation where the 2025 guy 2025 guidelines were very much annual guidelines recommending that we move away from annual guidelines and just have program guidelines. So similar to the star guidelines. They would be, you know, it. Imagine them to be consistent year-over-year unless there is some more substantial change that need to have approved an updated guidelines. And then we are cover the 3rd bullet. So this is this issue of operations
support is being considered and. Yeah, John will provide information. Answer questions directly getting The final recommendation is that we change the name. The. Previously known as the Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program seemed a bit more complicated, then really necessary. So for recommending we just change it to the same poll commercial corridors program. That's how most organizations refer to it and on their web say that's what it's called. And that's with the current low, as I just wanted to update you on official a changing the name. Yes, And yeah, that's it next steps. Like I the plan to come back on the 11th with some more information.
And seek approval. And also just fly. I received the 2nd quarter report earlier this month. And so I'll be sharing update with you all the mmo in the next week or so. happy taking their questions. Thank yous any other questions from fellow commissioners. All right. Well, we'll look forward to the information coming to us and that we've got a a few weeks here before the 11th your prescience. I love your work and looking forward to collaborating on this. Okay. So with nothing else to come before us, we are a