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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-28 HRA Regular Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ELECTRONIC WEBEX JANUARY 28, 2021 7:30 A.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. and noted the meeting was being held virtually to comply with the Governor's Stay at Home Order due to the COVID-19 pandemic then explained the processes created for public comment. 11. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland. Absent: None. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED - AS PRESENTED Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, approving the meeting agenda as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT No one appeared. VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS PRESENTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the consent agenda as presented: VI.A. Approve minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 10, 2020 VI.B. Approve minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 17, 2020 VI.C. Edina Housing Foundation Appointments VI.D. Resolution No. 2021-01; Designating Official Newspaper VI.E. Resolution No. 2021-02; Designating Official Depositories Rollcall: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. VII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS VII.A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS - APPROVED Executive Director Neal stated the by-laws of the HRA provided for the designation of officers. He explained the Chair would preside at meetings and execute all contracts, the Vice Chair would step in during times when the Chair was unavailable, and the Secretary co -signed all contracts. Motion by Commissioner Staunton, seconded by Commission Jackson, to approve the election of officers as stated with, Mayor as Chair, Anderson Vice, Pierce as Secretary. Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. Page 1 Minutes/HRA/January 28, 2021 VII.B. APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HRA - APPOINTED Executive Director Neal said the City Council previously designated his role as Executive Director of the HRA and requested the Council affirm this designation by motion. The proposed term of this appointment would be concurrent with employment as City Manager. Motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commission Anderson, to appoint Scott Neal as Executive Director of the HRA. Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. VII.C. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PERTAINING TO REDEVELOPMENT OF 5146 EDEN AVENUE — APPROVED Economic Development Manager Neuendorf said the item pertained to the potential re -use and redevelopment of vacant land owned by the Housing & Redevelopment Authority located at 5146 Eden Avenue. The re -use of this site has been discussed for many years and potential ideas have been pursued since 2008. None of those previous concepts was able to move forward. A Memorandum of Understanding had been prepared by City Attorney Kendall to establish a temporary working arrangement with Frauenshuh and United Properties to see what could realistically be constructed on this site. He outlined the four specific items desired for this site included a new commercial building, new housing development for-sale/cooperative project for seniors, public plaza and new pedestrian bridge over railroad tracks with future access path if the train was no longer used as freight line. Mr. Neuendorf said the City would not want to see any park and ride as Metro Transit no longer wanted one in this area then explained the site would not include any publicly -owned facility as it had been concluded a new facility was not big enough and too expensive. He spoke about fair value of the land and while the City would not receive the highest price through this method it would be a'fair process and include the developer outlining their methodology on how they determined purchase price and agreed upon prior to any next steps. He said staff recommended approval of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Commission asked questions regarding clarification of language in Paragraph C and the 60-day timeline for approval. Mr. Neuendorf explained the language was designed so a decision was made in a timely manner and the methodology was not a firm dollar amount but a method explained for valuation upon full site plan submittal for the property. He outlined the process in more detail then suggested language amendments to consider methodology for developer's determination of pricing within 60 days. Bill Anderson, Frauenshuh, said it was important within the 60-day timeline to set a framework for methodology for how valuation would be determined but not necessarily agree to any price. He said the discussion would be based on specific uses, mix of use, and density and the objective was not to determine price at this time and felt comfortable they would be able to do so within 60 days. City Attorney Kendall said if the understanding was that this was just consideration and no approval staff could modify the memorandum to removal approval language and change to characterization based on what the development partners wanted as well. The Commission expressed concerns with the proposal to determine valuation as it could be unfair to other property owners. Mr. Neuendorf clarified when the buyer and seller were on different paths a project could potentially not be worth moving forward so the memorandum would provide direction early on for a realistic plan that both parties would accept. Page 2 Minutes/HRA/January 28, 2021 Alex Hall, Frauenshuh, confirmed their group would be supportive of proposed density especially and the would be impacted by the City's participation with affordable units and density, Mr. Neuenclorf confirmed the City would work with our advisors as well before any decision was made. The Commission spoke about how project did not include a public building and was contrary to the Grandview Plan then stressed the importance of concepts and values achieved in any public space. They stated Paragraph 2G was important as it was non -binding and established valuation framework and representation for the parties to move forward to next steps and stressed the importance of seeking independent valuation data as part of this process and be clear on the intent of any property with appropriate public and mixed use that allowed the developer to be creative to that goal. Mr. Neal explained the difficulty of this discussion of public space and how staff felt this provision had been driving the discussions on how to include public buildings. He outlined reasons why the site could no longer be considered for uses such as a community center, art center, and fire station and staffs realization that these uses were no longer feasible. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commission Pierce, to approve the memorandum of understanding as amended in paragraph 4C, consider a methodology for developers' determination of purchase price within 60 days of the effective date of the MOU. Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. Vill. CORRESPONDENCE — Received IX. HRA COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS — Received X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS — Received XI.A. YEAR IN REVIEW— 2020— Received Mr. Neuenclorf shared the 2020 year in review report that highlighted accomplishments of working with businesses and residents in financial distress due to the pandemic, affordable housing construction, shared public parking, and others, XI.B. BY-LAW REVIEW- Received X1. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Staunton, to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 a.m. Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Scott Neal, ExecutA Director'�/ Page 3