Title
Approval of the April 25, 2012 HRA Meeting Minutes.
Body
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Bostrom, Brendmoen, Carter, Stark, Thune, Tolbert
Excused: Commissioner Lantry
CONSENT
1. Approval of the April 11, 2012 HRA meeting minutes.
Commissioner Carter moved approval.
VOTE: Yeas - 6 Nays - 0
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Resolution Approving the Sale of Land and Conveyance of Parcel 738 Bradley Street under the ISP/NSP Program, Payne-Phalen District 5, Ward 5
HRA Executive Director Cecile Bedor stated that in January, 2012, the HRA Board placed several properties on hold from the 2011 Ramsey County tax forfeit list. In March, 2012 the Board approved the purchase of five properties from that hold list, including this one. This is a very small lot with small frontage. The proposed buyer, Shirley Thompson, has been maintaining the property for the past six years, as it's adjacent to her property. Staff is proposing to sell this property as a side yard and put the property back on the tax rolls.
Chair Thune announced the public hearing. There being no testimony Commissioner Brendmoen moved to close the public hearing and approve the resolution. Approved as set forth in resolution RES PH 12-120.
VOTE: Yeas - 6 Nays - 0
DISCUSSION
3. Approval and Authorization of Agreements Associated with Central Corridor Business Marketing Program.
Ms. Bedor stated that staff has been trying to help mitigate the impact of Light Rail construction on area businesses along Central Corridor. Ms. Nancy Holmans from the Mayor's Office, and Ellen Muller from PED have been instrumental in working with community partners to design and implement the Ready for Rail Program which includes the Ready for Rail Forgivable Loan Program, marketing assistance, and technical assistance.
Ms. Bedor noted that the first phase of the marketing program was the Discover Central Corridor campaign, and that staff is ready to launch the second phase. To that end, the Met Council issued a RFP to hire a marketing firm, and Ms. Homans has been working with the Met Council on getting the work started.
Ms. Homans stated that staff is seeking approval of four actions: to authorize and execute a Joint Powers Agreement with Metropolitan Council which would allow staff to administer a $1.2 million marketing program to support Central Corridor businesses; authorize execution of a contract with Mod and Company, LLC (a Saint Paul business); execute authorization of a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the City of Minneapolis to allow for the marketing services to be offered within the City of Minneapolis; and to amend the budget.
Ms. Homans provided general background on the project, and noted in response to the phase I, $125,000 Discover Central Corridor marketing program, the businesses and local CDC's asked the Met Council for more aggressive investment in this area. The Met Council allocated $1.2 million in the Central Corridor Project Budget to this effort; issued an RFP; and created a selection committee (included Ellen Muller fro PED), which unanimously selected Mod to deliver the program. Shortly after this selection, Met Council legal staff opined that the Met Council does not authority to administer a marketing program because they don't have economic development authority. City staff was then asked to administer the program on their behalf, and the City agreed. Minneapolis and Mod and Company have agreed as well. Staff is seeking approval of all agreements and the $1.152 budget amendment, (HRA will receive a $48,000 admin fee.)
Commissioner Stark moved approval. Approved as set forth in resolution RES 12-778.
VOTE: Yeas - 6 Nays - 0
4. Resolution Endorsing and Approving the Proposed Changes to the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Housing Finance Board's Low Income Housing Tax Credit Procedural Manual and Qualified Allocation Plan for 2013.
Ms. Bedor stated that the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program was created in 1986 to encourage the production of affordable rental housing; the City is expected to receive approximately $989,000 in credits for 2013 allocation. Mr. Joe Collins from PED prepared various documents related to this program; no material changes are recommended.
Commissioner Stark stated that criteria seven and eight of Attachment D, Self Scoring Worksheet, appear contradictory. Number seven awards points for projects in non-impacted areas; number 8 awards points to projects in NSP (i.e., impacted) areas. Commissioner Stark proposed to either delete numbers seven and eight, or increase the number of potential points under number seven for greater balance.
After further discussion, and testimony from Mr. Collins, Commissioner Stark removed the proposed amendment to the scoring worksheet.
Ms. Bedor stated that the changes made to last year's criteria were primarily focused on preservation. The scoring still reflects a priority of preservation. Ms. Bedor also noted that there is an art to establishing the scoring, as the HRA has multiple agendas that staff tries to reflect. Ms. Bedor suggested a work session on the scoring for 2014 credit allocation.
Commissioner Bostrom moved approval. Approved as set forth in resolution RES 12-776 as amended.
VOTE: Yeas - 6 Nays - 0
5. Presentation on the Ramsey County 4R Program as it relates to Tax Forfeit Properties, Citywide.
This item was withdrawn.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Brendmoen moved adjournment. The HRA meeting was adjourned.