HRAM 05/07/2015
CITY OF FRIDLEY
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY COMMISSION
May 7, 2015
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Commers
called the HRA Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Larry Commers
William Holm
Pat Gabel
Gordon Backlund
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Stephen Eggert
OTHERS PRESENT:
Paul Bolin, HRA Assistant Executive Director
ACTION ITEMS:
1.Approval of Expenditures
MOTION
by Commissioner Gabel to approve the expenditures. Seconded by
Commissioner Backlund.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2.Approval of March 5, 2014 Meeting Minutes
MOTION
by Commissioner Gabel. Seconded by Commissioner Holm
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3.Approval of Demolition Contract: 581 Ironton St. – Housing Replacement Program
Paul Bolin, ,
HRA Assistant Executive Directorstated that the City Public Works
Department ran a formal bidding process on the Authority’s behalf. Quotes opened up on
April 21, 2015. Four different contractors bid and staff recommend the contract be awarded
to Buberl Recycling in the amount of $9,800. The bid was within staff estimates, past work
with Buberl has resulted in positive experiences and Buberl is able to complete the
demolition in the desired timeframe.
Commissioner Gabel
asked the size of the lot.
City of Fridley Housing and Redevelopment Meeting of May 7, 2015 2
Mr. Bolin
replied 50x110.
Commissioner Gabel
asked how much the Authority paid for the house and how much the
lot will be sold for.
Mr. Bolin
replied the house was purchased for $67,000 and the lot will be sold for
approximately $40,000.
Chairperson Commers
asked if the contamination items were removed.
Mr. Bolin
replied yes; there was an old heating fuel oil tank removed.
MOTION
by Commissioner Backlund to approve the Demolition Contract at 581 Ironton
Street and award the contract to Buberl Recycling. Seconded by Commissioner Gabel.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4.Approval of Resolution Adding Phase XII to Housing Replacement Program
Paul Bolin,
HRA Assistant Executive Director, stated that in 2010 the Authority approved an
amended Housing Replacement Program. Homes can now be added to the program by HRA
Resolution, provided the parcels meet required criteria. Once in the program, the Authority
is able to collect increment for 15 years on improvements. Phase XII parcels include 581
Ironton Street. Staff recommends approval of Phase XII of the Housing Replacement
Program.
MOTION
by Commissioner Backlund to approve the Resolution Adding Phase XII to
Housing Replacement Program. Seconded by Commissioner Gabel.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Informational Items
1.Housing Loan Program Update
Paul Bolin,
HRA Assistant Executive Director, reported that there have been no loans to date
yet this year. The number of people borrowing from cities is down in all communities that
CEE is working in. Banks have made borrowing money easier and people can refinance and
get a second mortgage at low interest rates. These trends have been seen in the past when the
economy improves. A meeting will be held with the Authority in mid-July to talk about
these programs to see if any changes should be made to make these programs more attractive.
There has been one remodel advisor visit making one, year to date. There were nine Home
Energy Squad visits last month resulting in 36, year to date.
City of Fridley Housing and Redevelopment Meeting of May 7, 2015 3
Other Updates
Mr. Bolin
reported that the Columbia Arena planning workshops were held and Gretchen
Nickels will present a recap of the meetings at the June meeting. Staff is working with Braun
to discuss demolition specs. A small pilot study of about 200 yards of Freon vapor
containing soils will be done to see if picking up and dropping the soils will be enough to
release the vapors. This pilot study is needed for bid specifications and MPCA will be part
of this process. A schedule will be put together for the demolition with bids going out in July
to begin demolition in August. Staff would like a short meeting on July 16 at 7pm to award a
demolition contract for the arena. Prior to that meeting staff would like to have a workshop
starting at 5-5:30 to look at the loan programs and other HRA programs. This will tie in with
the city updating the comprehensive plan in the future.
th
Mr. Bolin
noted that the next meeting is scheduled for June 4. A recap of the Columbia
Arena planning meetings will be presented along with a request to approve the sale of 581
Ironton Street.
Commissioner Holm
asked how many cubic yards of soil staff estimated was in the
Columbia Arena.
Mr. Bolin
replied that 200 yards is a small sample compared to what is in the arena. Test
borings have been done to identify where the Freon is located. Dirt will be taken from the
newer arena because that is where there is an overhead door to get equipment in.
Commissioner Holm
asked if the Freon would be taken care of before the buildings are
demolished.
Mr. Bolin
replied that the plan is to go in after the contract is awarded, remove all hazardous
materials, remove the soils from where the rinks were to the parking area and spread it out to
release the Freon. When Freon vapors have escaped, the soil is clean and will be used to fill
the holes back in, and then the rest of the building demolition will be completed. Some side
walls will need to be removed to get equipment in the older rink to remove the soils.
Commissioner Backlund
asked if MPCA is okay with venting the Freon into the
atmosphere.
Mr. Bolin
replied yes.
Chairperson Commers
asked if this was a standard procedure to disperse Freon into the
atmosphere.
Mr. Bolin
replied that the Freon vapor compounds are so volatile that scraping the dirt will
release the vapor. There is no way to capture the Freon; it has to be released into the
atmosphere. MPCA doesn’t require Freon to be contained.
City of Fridley Housing and Redevelopment Meeting of May 7, 2015 4
Commissioner Gabel
asked if the soils would be tested to ensure all the Freon has been
released.
Mr. Bolin
replied yes; soils will be tested at different times as the Freon is released. This
soil is a nice sandy material so it should escape quickly.
Adjournment
MOTION
by Commissioner Backlund to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Gabel.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 7:28 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Krista Peterson, Recording Secretary