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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA Minutes 05-14-2020HEDRA HASTINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom video conference. President Sullivan explained why and referenced various city, state and federal declarations and guidelines that an in-person meeting was not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. HEDRA Commissioners Present: Balsanek, Fox, Goblirsch, Peine, Sinclair, Sullivan and Vaughan. Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman Economic Development Coordinator Rusty Fifield City Administrator Dan Wietecha I. Quorum A quorum was established and the meeting was called to order by President Sullivan at 6:00 PM with seven members present. II. Minutes The minutes from the April 9, 2020 Regular Meeting and the May 5, 2020 Special Meeting were approved as presented. Roll call vote: Ayes 7; Nays 0. Motion approved. III. Bills Hinzman summarized the bills. Commissioner Vaughan motioned to approve as presented, seconded by President Sullivan. Roll call vote: Ayes 7; Nays 0. Motion approved. IV. Business A. Strategic Plan for Economic Development Fifield presented a summary of the strategic plan for economic development. President Sullivan commented that it appeared there was an influx of customers due to restaurants and entertainment throughout the summer. Thus, she recommended that restaurants and entrainment venues be supported. Fifield agreed that local businesses need to be supported and that he failed to include that in his presentation. Commissioner Balsanek remarked about the importance of tourism to the City of Hastings and wondered if there was a way to draw people to Hastings even with the cancellation of summer festivals and entertainment. Fifield indicated that a draft of the plan will be presented at the June meeting. President Sullivan and Commissioner Balsanek thought that the Chamber of Commerce should be included in the tourism discussion. Commissioner Goblirsch and Commissioner Balsanek spoke about the potential of people moving from more densely populated cities to Hastings. B. Redevelopment Findings - 11th & Vermillion Fifield updated the Commissioners of the demolition of a house located at 11th Street and Vermillion, south of Walgreens. The developer was no longer interested in pursuing a TIF District and were reviewing other development options for the site. Hinzman added that the developer and the owner of the house North to the Dairy Queen have a purchase agreement. Commissioner Balsanek asked if the City had a development agreement with the developer. Hinzman replied no, but there was a sale of property agreement several years prior. C. Resolutions: Cancellation of Outstanding Debt – MDL LLC Hinzman summarized the history of the three HEDRA loans issued to 620 Ramsey Street; one was paid in full and the other two were still outstanding. He also stated that the property was foreclosed on and HEDRA did not receive any payment for the other two loans. Commissioners Vaughan and Goblirsch and Hinzman discussed how this situation may be prevented in the future. Commissioner Balsanek asked Hinzman about the current property owner. Hinzman indicated that Premier Bank took over the foreclosure. Commissioner Balsanek moved to approve both resolutions as presented, seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Roll call vote: Ayes 7; Nays 0. Motion approved. D. Authorize Signature: Termination of Real Estate Option Agreement - Panache Cidery Hinzman explained the termination agreement with Panache Cidery. Commissioner Balsanek moved to approve as presented, seconded by Commissioner Sinclair. Roll call vote: Ayes 7; Nays 0. Motion approved. E. Authorize Allocation of COVID-19 Funding - Parklets (ADDED TO AGENDA) Hinzman detailed the allocation of $25,000 of COVID-19 Relief Funding to aid the Downtown Business Association of the construction of parklets in the downtown area. He stated that the allowance of parklets will be on the May 18, 2020 City Council agenda. President Sullivan indicated that she was in favor of this. Commissioner Balsanek and Hinzman discussed whether the parklets are seasonal and if the same parklet can be used for several years. Commissioner Vaughan was unsure if parklets were an appropriate use of funds because there are other businesses within the City that are not located in the downtown area and indicated that there were still too many unknow variables. Fifield thought that parklets were a good idea to get people to visit Hastings. Commissioner Fox asked if HEDRA would also be approving the rules pertaining to parklets. Hinzman was unsure. Commissioner Peine explained why he was in favor of parklets. He suggested also limiting the number of parklets. Commissioner Balsanek agreed and added that it would be ideal if the parklets could be used year after year or even configured to be used in the winter. President Sullivan recommended approving allocation of up to $25,000 for parklets, contingent on City Council approval of the parklets. Commissioner Goblirsch explained why he was in favor of parklets. President Sullivan moved to allocate $25,000 towards potential construction, seconded by Commissioner Balsanek. Roll call vote: Ayes 6; Nays 1- Vaughan. Motion approved. V. Reports and Information A. The Confluence Pat Regan, Mike Mattingly, and Rob Barse, Confluence representatives, updated the Commissioners of the project and the affects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Commissioner Peine appreciated the commitment and adaptability of the Confluence team and noted that he has heard good comments from the public about the work being done to the outside of the building. Commissioner Balsanek agreed. Commissioner Vaughan questioned the completeness of the inside of the building. Barse indicated that demolition was almost complete. Commissioner Vaughan and Hinzman discussed the upcoming bond payment. B. HEART Grant Hinzman explained the Heart Grant and the received applications; 60 grants were awarded for a total of $169,000.00. C. 1st Quarter Financial Report Hinzman discussed the 1st Quarter Financial Report. D. Commercial Vacancy Hinzman indicated there was a new business at 2347 Commerce. E. Development Update Hinzman provided the following development updates:  The senior development was progressing at 1190 County Road 47;  A concept plan for 33 detached villa homes at Pleasant and Northridge was discussed by the Planning Commission;  Mini storage facility was being built in the industrial park; and  The Wallin 18th Addition was recorded with Dakota County. VI. Adjourn Commissioner Peine motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Next Meeting: June 11, 2020 Respectively Submitted: Erica Henderson Deputy City Clerk