HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA Minutes - 2022.11.10HEDRA
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, November 10, 2022 at
7:00 p.m. at Hastings City Hall.
HEDRA Commissioners Present: Horsch, Johnson, Braucks, and Vaughan
HEDRA Commissioners Absent: Goblirsch, Sinclair, and Anderson
Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman,
Economic Development Coordinator Eric Maass
I. Quorum
A quorum was established and the meeting was called to order by Acting President
Horsch at 6:00 PM with four members present.
II. Minutes
Motion made by a Commissioner Braucks and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to
approve the work session and regular meeting minutes from the October 13, 2022 as
presented. Ayes 4; Nays 0. Motion approved.
III. Bills
Hinzman summarized the bills. Motion made by Commissioner Vaughan and seconded by
Commissioner Johnson to approve the bills as presented. Ayes 4; Nays 0. Motion
approved.
IV. Business
A. 2022 Façade Improvement Grant Program Summary
• Maass provided an update of the pilot program for façade improvements
within downtown and along Vermillion Street including before and after
pictures.
• $50,000 approved and $44,189.06 distributed to 11 projects (10
completed). Grant required a 1:1 match which leveraged $75,736.25 in
additional private investment.
• Commissioners discussed if projects funded this year may be eligible for
further funding in later years. Staff is recommending waiting until July
1st to allow other properties that had not previously received funding to
apply.
• No action required by the Commission.
B. Consider 2023 Façade Improvement Grant Program.
• Maass provided a summary of proposed changes which include raising
the minimum private investment for grant funding to 2:1 from 1:1, having
previously funded projects wait until July 1st to apply (to allow new
projects to apply), and amend the timeframe for work to be completed
from three months to six months.
• Commissioners discussed whether the July 1st date would allow for
grantees to secure contractors to complete the work yet that year; should
it be moved ahead one month? Should the amount of funding be
increased in the future? Is the 2:1 threshold too high, will we lose some
projects? Should it be extended to other areas of the City? Ensure the
program is used for improving the exterior of buildings.
• No action by the Commission at this time; action will be brought forward
at a later meeting.
C. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Tourism
• Maass provided a summary of activities that other cities and entities are
providing. Charging vehicles may be an opportunity to have a captive
audience while they are charging which could result in tourism or other
purchases in Hastings.
• Commissioners discussed the role of the public sector in providing EV
charging stations, we may need more data. Want to ensure that prime
spaces within the downtown are not used exclusively for charging.
Should the City purchase chargers outright and skip the middleman?
• No action by the Commission, staff will continue to investigate with
other City Departments.
V. Reports and Information
A. Open to Business - 2022 Q3 Report
• Maass provided a summary of activities. Program is being used by many,
but many individuals do not know the program exists, further outreach is
planned.
B. Development Updates
• Hinzman provided a summary of development activities including City
Council action to sell land for the Intek expansion, Site Plan approval for
Therapy Ops at Westview Drive and Highway 55 (construction may
begin yet this year), the Lake Isabel Flats apartment project has begun
construction downtown as well as the Enclave apartments near Coborns,
At the Confluence HVAC and window work continues.
• Commission discussed if the residential construction market has slowed
down. Staff has not seen much of a slow down at this time and continues
to meet with developers seeking approval of future projects.
VI. Adjourn
A. Adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. Motion made by Commissioner Vaughan and
seconded by Commissioner Braucks to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 4-0.
Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting: December 8, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_5N1LCM3FU.
Respectively Submitted:
John Hinzman