HRA Minutes 10-01-1997
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MINUTES
MONTICELLO HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, October 1, 1997 - 7:00 p.m.
City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Brad Barger, Vice Chair Steve Andrews, Darrin Lahr, Bob
Murray, and Dan Frie.
COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: Roger Carlson.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
STAFF ABSENT: Rick Wolfsteller and Jeff O'Neill.
GUESTS:
Irwin Hawkins, Joe Hawkins, Kasey Kjellberg, and Marian Carlson.
1. Call To Order.
Chairperson Barger called the HRA meeting to order at 7 :00 p.m.
2.
Consideration to approve the August 21. 1997 HRA minutes.
Steve Andrews made a motion to approve the August 21, 1997 HRA minutes. Seconded
by Darrin Lahr and with no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved as
written.
3.
Consideration of adding items to the a~enda.
Two items were added to the agenda: Consideration ofthe sellers (Hawkins and Carlson)
to otTer for sale the properties located at 225 West River Street and 225 Front Street
respectively to the HRA.
a) 225 West River Street -
Realtor Kasey Kjellberg introduced owner, Irwin Hawkins, and his son, Joe Hawkins. Mr.
Hawkins plans to sell his home at 225 West River Street and would like to vacate in the
spring. Ideally his preference is to cash-out. The two-story home is located at the comer
of Locust and River Street. Chair Barger responded the HRA is interested and asked if
the property could be rented out? Timeliness appeared to be the seller's concern. hwin
Hawkins acknowledged permission to enter the premise for an HRA appraisal. Bob
Murray made a motion authorizing an appraisal for the property located at 225 West River
Street. Appraisal completed on or before November 1, 1997, by Terry or Jean Nagorski
of Big Lake. Name of appraisers at the suggestion of Commissioner Frie. Darrin Labr
seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
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HRA MINUTES
OCTOBER I, 1997
b) 225 Front Street -
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Marian Carlson, owner ofthe property located at 225 Front Street, appeared before the
HRA and expressed an interest to sale the property to the HRA. Under stress, she
informed commissioners that in the past two and one-half years, they lost a garage, had a
fire, and received storm damage. With no insurance settlements, the building moratorium,
and set-back requirement or non-conforming use, they have been unable to rebuild the
garage. Reconstruction of the garage has been their greatest desire. Mrs. Carlson
appeared receptive to the HRA's idea of an option to purchase. Noting the set-back
requirement or non-conforming use was an issue of the Planning Commission or Council,
the HRA requested Koropchak refer this to the Planning Commission. Marian Carlson
acknowledged permission to enter the premise for an HRA appraisal and departed. HRA
members discussed whether to authorize a second appraisal as the property was appraised
at $163,000 in 1995. Previous members felt the appraisal was high. Additionally, the
appraisal indicated the property was outside the flood plain. Commissioner Frie expressed
that the older homes within the core area ofthe city limits had low assessed values
compared to the new homes in Cardinal Hills and other first-time home buyer
developments. Steve Andrews made a motion authorizing an appraisal for the property
located at 225 Front Street. Completion date and appraiser the same as for the above said
property. Seconded by Bob Murray and with no further discussion, the motion passed
unanimously.
4.
Consideration of an update on the status of the Purchase Agreement between the HRA
and Lan)' Schleif
Commissioners received a copy ofthe Purchase Agreement and the Contract for Deed.
HRA members ratified Chair Barger's position that the 'purchase price of $83,000 was "as
is" and included the curtains, washer, dryer, and refrigerator. The agreement also states
the HRA will accept the property in the same condition as the date of the purchase
agreement. The HRA Chairperson and Executive Director have executed the agreement.
Steve Andrews, Brad Barger, and Bob Murray volunteered to walk through the interior of
the home upon Koropchak arranging the date.
5.
Consideration to develop TIP application guidelines.
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HRA members briefly discussed valid and non-valid points ofthe joint meeting held on
September 29, concluding the meeting served as a wave-of-the-flag or a wake-up call to
the importance or commitment to industrial development in the future and currently.
Members discussed development ofTIF:Guidelines as it related to criteria: ; How to
maintain a balance Qetween simpliGity'and'diffi6ultY'? HO'Y"to develop a smooth process
(minimum standards) to remain competitive and develop standards for job creation and
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HRA MINUTES
OCTOBER 1, 1997
wages and market values? The city's break-even point for residential development is
$125,000, more often than not C/I subsidizes housing. Noting the unforeseeable changes
of Legislation and the uncertainty ofNSP issues, members recognized the need to assist
with the city's growth through the development of policies. Darrin Lahr and Bob Murray
volunteered to work on the development of policies which support the Council's visions
and encourage a smooth process for development. Members accepted Lahr and Murray
as volunteers.
Members recognized the need of a strong Mayor and Council (political goodwill) and also
the need for effective listening and common curiosity by staff.
6. Consideration of commissioner's interest to attend the State NAHRO Community
Development Conference.
The NAHRO Conference is an aU-day affair on Thursday, November 13, at the Sheraton
Minneapolis Metrodrome. Barger was unable to attend and Murray, Andrews, and Lahr
committed to attending. Frie needed to check his calendar. Registrations will be mailed
the middle of October.
7.
Consideration to authorize payment ofHRA monthly bins.
Brad Barger made a motion to authorize payment of the HRA monthly bills. Seconded by
Bob Murray and with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
8. Report by Executive Director.
a) HRA members discussed the quick response of the Council to support a non-
referendum option for financing the National Guard Training/Community Center when the
cost is shared by the community and other financing options may be available. Steve
Andrews, HRA representative to the Task Force, responded "there was not enough time",
It would take six months to educate the public about a referendum and the NG requested
a letter of intent. Other concerns to the quick response were no estimate of operational
costs, no estimate of the tax-rate impact including the waste water treatment plant
expansion and the other taxing jurisdictions, and no estimate of the impact ofthe
secondary items (meaning beyond the basic proposal.)
b & c) Accepted written report with no comments.
d) Commissioner Frie informed members that affordable housing in Monticello means
about $85,000 and generally sells in 90-days. The average home built in Monticello in the
frrst nine-months of 1997 was $116,500 compared to 1992 of $90,000 or less. The
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HRA MINUTES
OCTOBER 1, 1997
number of new homes in the school district between 1992 and 1997 creates a bell-shaped
curve. Generally, the new home owners are commuters and enjoy the quality of life in
Monticello.
9. Other Business
None.
10. Acljournment.
The HRA meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
CJ .0Q~t \~_ C, ~~ ~9?/
Ollie Koropchak, Executive Director
1.
Call to Order.
Chair Barger reopened the HRA meeting at 10:00 p.m.
2.
Other Business.
HRA members discussed the need to develop a web site. At present, city staff has had
discussion with Don Smith, Monticello Times, and Steve Andrews, an independent, with
no direction to move forward. Andrews indicated he would create a web site for the HRA
at no cost except for the access fee. Bob Murray made a motion authorizing Steve
Andrews to develop a web site for the HRA to promote economic development at a cost
0[$19.95 per month for the Internet access fee and using the domain name. Darrin Lahr
seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
3. Adjournment
The HRA meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
CJ~ \:::O\~~i)~
Ollie Koropchak, Executive Director
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