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HRA 10/02/2008 - 30951� CITY OF FRIDLEY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY COMNIISSION OCTOBER 2, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Pro Tem Holm called the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: William Holm, Steve Billings, John Meyer Larry Commers, Pat Gabel Paul Bolin, HRA Assistant Executive Director MOTION by Commissioner Billings to appoint Commissioner Holm as acting Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Meyer. UPON UNAI�IIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON PRO TEM HOLM DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Approval of Ezaenditures MOTION b� Commissioner Billings to approve the expenditures as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Meyer. UPON UNA1vIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON PRO TEM HOLM DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 2. Apuroval of Seutember 4, 2008 Meetin� Minutes MOTION by Commissioner Meyer to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Billings. UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON PRO TEM HOLM DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. INFORMATIONAL ITEM5: 1. Northstar Rail Station Uadate Paul Bolin, HR.A Executive Assistant Director, said Fridley has been part of the Commuter Ra.il Project since 1996 and there was not enough Federal Funding so the Fridley sta,tion was dropped from that funding. Through local means such as the HRA and Anoka County Regional Rail Authority (ACRRA), Fridley is now on line with the rest of the stations to open in November of 2009. This week the ACRRA sent a memo to Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) regarding the 1/4% sales tax fund being used for transit improvements. We expect to hear something about our allocation sometime in late October and our best estimate is that $9.9 million will be available for Fridley from this funding source. Mr. Bolin said that the numbers were revised from the last meeting and the overall cost is now $13.3M which includes the land acquisition and tunnel. Tomorrow there is a meeting with our attomey and the Anoka County attomey to develop needs for construction of our station. Staff is optimistic we will receive funds and the ACRRA has authorized the final design work so we can start the bidding process to open before the end of the year. Construction is to be complete by September 2009, finalize by October of 2009 and ready for operation in November 2009. The bids will be run by the ACRRA and the Anoka County Highway Department, it will be an open bidding process. Commissioner Meyer aside about the 1/4% sales tax and which agency decides who gets what funding. Mr. Bolin said that a Joint Powers Board made up of five counties put together a chart. The Board oversees the process and is empowered by the legislature. An advisory to a smaller board with representatives from cities within the counties also assists with this process and Mayor Lund is involved with one of these groups. Commissioner Meyer asked what how long the '/4% tax rate will be enforced. Mr. Bolin said that it will continue until the counties opt out. Commissioner Meyer asked about the $9.9M and if it will be paid back in one year or 10 years. Mr. Bolin said that the first round of revenues will be between 1/1/08 through the end of June 2009. Commissioner Meyer asked what the others are using the funds for. Mr. Bolin said that the funds must be used for transit improvements within the Metro area. These funds will be available for the next number of years. Chairperson Pro Tem Holm asked how fast the trains travel on the track. Mr. Bolin answered about 65 mph. It is not likely for the trains to travel very fast through Fridley. Chairperson Pro Tem Holm asked about the construction downtown Minneapolis and what is happening with the interchange, light rail, rail and bus transportation. Mr. Bolin said that a good portion is constructed and coming together along with the Twins stadium. Chairperson Pro Tem Holm commented that citizens could go from the Fridley station to downtown Minneapolis to the airport or Mall of American. Commissioner Meyer said that with the train tragedy in California, who is responsible on the North Star Line for routing the tra.ins and the overall safety and signals. Mr. Bolin answered Burlington Northern will staff the engineers and do all the routing and communications. 2. Gatewav Northeast Uadate Paul Bolin, HRA Assistant Executive Director, updated the following properties: TAE KWAN DO In August Mr. Bolin was authorized to receive an appraisal for the Tae Kwan Do Building. He has not had a chance to connect with Dan Wilson so he will provide a verbal upda.te to HRA next week. ALANO The Alano Society has selected Skip Stuart to work with the City and realtor Mike Spahn is authorized to continue working on negotiations. The Alano has a real interest in completing the transaction within the next 30-90 days. SINCLAIR Nothing new with this site; waiting for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to review and issue a decision on the environmental work done by the Javelin Group. SIKH SOCIETY This site is moving forward with the development of their site. They intend to begin brushing and grubbing this fall. Fundraising efforts continue and there is a strong desire for the City to purchase their property. DEMOLITION of STRUCTURES In August/September there was discussion about taking the properties down this fall but it makes sense to wait until next spring. Since the last meeting, the water lines have been shut off at the old Van-o-lite building. If we wait until spring, the time clock won't start for getting a project going. Staff is working with the Public Works Department to make signage for the sites that will explain to neighbors, residents and passers by, that the area is part of a future redevelopment project. The signs will be kept generic so they can be reused. 3. Housin� Loan Pro�ram Update Paul Bolin, HRA Assistant Executive Director, said that in September three revolving loans were closed along with one other loan. Year to date 14 loans have been closed and it looks like two more closings have been added. Remodel advisory visits were zero for September. Staff is working on filming some updated commercials to run on the local government channel to promote loan programs, energy saving tips etc. Mr. Bolin said that last month HRA talked about the levy funds to pay down the loan from the City. It is advised to pay off this loan as it was researched and there is no legal reason not to pay off the loan. Until last year, HRA was earning more interest and leaving money in the bank. The interest rate on the loan is 2.8%. Staff thinks it would make sense to pay off the loan in February so HRA will see this up for approval in the January register. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Commissioner Meyer to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Billings. UPON UNAI�TIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPER50N PRO TEM HOLM DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:47 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, r' � '���=�� /�l�'y - Krista Monsrud Recording Secretary CITY OF FRIDLEY SIGN-IN SHEET HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING ��[� 2/ �� --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name and Address Agenda Item of Interest