Title
Resolution approving and authorizing a one-year (1), automatically renewing license agreement to Urban Roots MN for temporary community garden use of HRA-owned parcels located at 0 Pennsylvania Ave E, 0 Rivoli St and 0 Minnehaha Ave E, District 5, Ward 2
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, the HRA presently owns undeveloped parcels of land located at 0 Pennsylvania Ave E (PIN 322922220101) and 0 Rivoli St (PIN 322922220163), and has certain rights to 0 Minnehaha Ave E (PIN 3229222201033) (collectively the “Property”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA acquired 0 Pennsylvania Ave E in 1984, 0 Rivoli St in 2015, and 0 Minnehaha Ave E via tax forfeiture in 2018 for conveyance to Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services; and
WHEREAS, 0 Minnehaha Ave E, which is owned by Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services, is subject to the tax forfeiture process and potential reversion in which both the HRA and Ramsey County have interests; and
WHEREAS, collectively these parcels are currently underutilized and have no immediate redevelopment plans; and
WHEREAS, currently the Property is being leased through annual garden license agreements as a community garden to Urban Roots MN, a non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate and empower youth through nature, healthy food and community; and
WHEREAS, Urban Roots MN has requested a 12-month, recurring license for the use of the Property for continued community gardening activities and a water line installation project that would provide them a fixed source of irrigation; and
WHEREAS, the HRA board supports Urban Roots’ interim use of the Property and the water line installation project, and supports a 12-month, recurring license agreement with Urban Roots 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 Urban Roots MN 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 Urban Roots MN.
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 and staff are specifically authorized to execute any documents and instruments in connection with this Resolution.
4. This Resolution does not constitute a binding legal agreement; rather, the action taken herein shall not be effective until said documents are executed by the appropriate official(s) of the HRA.