Title
Resolution approving and authorizing a seven-year (7) license agreement to District 6 Planning Council, d/b/a North End Neighborhood Organization (“NENO”), for temporary use of an HRA-owned parcel located at 168 Front Avenue, District 6, Ward 1
Body
WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the “HRA”) is a public body corporate and politic established pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development or redevelopment activities under Minnesota law and the HRA is authorized to engage in activities relating to (a) housing projects and development, (b) removal and prevention of the spread of conditions of blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) disposition of land for private redevelopment, and (e) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community, and to engage in the aforementioned activities
when these needs cannot be met through reliance solely upon private initiative and which can also be undertaken in targeted neighborhoods; and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.002, Subdivision 14; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, the HRA acquired a parcel of land located at 168 Front Avenue (the “Property”) for redevelopment purposes; and
WHEREAS, since 2008, the Property has remained vacant; and
WHEREAS, since 2017, the Property has been used as a community garden through annual garden license agreements with the District 6 Planning Council, d/b/a North End Neighborhood Organization (“NENO”); and
WHEREAS, NENO has requested a seven-year license for the use of the Property for continued community gardening activities and the installation of a wooden fence to better define the garden space; and
WHEREAS, the HRA board supports NENO’s interim use of the Property and supports a seven-year license agreement with NENO consistent with the terms and conditions described in the staff report;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota that:
1. The HRA Board of Commissioners hereby approves a temporary license to District 6 Planning Council, d/b/a North End Neighborhood Organization, with the terms and conditions described in the staff report.
2. The HRA Executive Director is authorized to finalize all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate the license granted to District 6 Planning Council, d/b/a North End Neighborhood Organization.
3. The HRA Executive Director, staff, and legal counsel for the HRA are further authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this Resolution. The HRA’s Executive Director.