Title
Approving the January 8, 2020 HRA Board meeting minutes
Body
SWEARING IN OF NELSIE YANG
ROLL CALL
Present 7 - Commissioners Brendmoen, Jalali, Noecker, Prince, Thao, Yang and Chair Tolbert
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
1. Electing the officers of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota
Moved by Commissioner Noecker, Resolution Adopted and set forth in RES 20-109
VOTE: Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
FOR DISCUSSION
2. Resolution authorizing acceptance of a grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) as a subgrantee of the Minnesota Home Ownership Center (“MNHOC”) for funding of administrative costs for counselors for the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program, Citywide
Kristin Guild, Interim Executive Director, stated this is a $10,000 grant from HUD that flows through the Minnesota Home Ownership Center. It provides support for our foreclosure prevention counseling services and defrays some of our staff costs.
Commissioner Brendmoen thanked Michelle Vojacek and Jen Bruntlett for their work providing foreclosure counseling services.
Moved by Commissioner Brendmoen, Resolution Adopted and set forth in RES 20-59
VOTE: Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
3. Resolution approving issuance of a $49,500 loan under the Strategic Investment Fund program to Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. for 1919 University Ave, District 12, Ward 4
Ms. Guild stated that Emmons & Olivier Resources is a water resources firm that is relocating to Saint Paul from Oakdale, bringing 30 jobs to start and projecting at least three more. This will be a 5-year loan at a 5.75% interest rate. The loan will be forgiven if EOR maintains at least 33 jobs in Saint Paul over the course of the 5-year term of the loan.
Commissioner Jalali asked for more information on SIF loan program requirements. Mary Rick, PED Principal Project Manager, shared information on the SIF scorecard and stated that the company is relocating their headquarters into Saint Paul, they have high wage jobs and their historical performance that makes this a great fit for the SIF program.
Brett Emmons, CEO Emmons and Olivier Resources (EOR), shared background on EOR and why the firm is moving to Saint Paul.
Moved by Commissioner Jalali, Resolution Adopted and set forth in RES 20-60
VOTE: Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
PUBLIC HEARING
4. Approving and authorizing the sale and conveyance of a portion of 1675 Energy Park Drive to Snelling Properties LLC; and authorizing the execution of a purchase agreement, District 12, Ward 4
Ms. Guild stated that this is a fair market value sale of a portion of a parcel that has previously been used as a fire training ground. It is to facilitate the expansion of Minnetronix, a med tech firm currently located at the site. This will allow for parking to support the expansion. Currently, Minnetronix has 268 jobs and the company is projecting to add 75. The negotiated price of the sale is $450,000 with no public financing in the land sale or parking lot construction.
Commissioner Jalali stated that it has been exciting to see this company grow in the Midway with its state of the art campus.
Chair Tolbert shared his excitement, encouraged Commissioners to visit their facilities and thanked staff.
Moved by Commissioner Jalali, Resolution Adopted and set forth in RES PH 20-8
VOTE: Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Yang, the HRA Board Meeting is Adjourned
VOTE: Yeas - 7 Nays - 0