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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA Minutes - 07-08-2021HASTINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HASTINGS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS July 8, 2021 - 6:00 pm. The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hastings City Council Chambers. HEDRA Commissioners Present: Peine, Goblirsch, Sinclair, Horsch, Vaughan and Braucks HEDRA Commissioners Absent: Sullivan Staff Present: Community Development Director, John Hinzman; Economic Development Coordinator, Eric Maass; City Administrator, Dan Wietecha; and Community Development Intern, Grady Timmerman I. Quorum A quorum was established and the meeting was called to order by President Peine at 6:00 p.m. with 6 members present. II. Minutes A. June 10, 2021 regular meeting Commissioner Sinclair motioned to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of June 10, 2021, as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Motion approved 6‐0. III. Bills Mr. Hinzman summarized the bills and stated that the majority of the expenses this month were for the outdoor seating grant program. Commissioner Vaughan motioned to approve as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Braucks. Motion approved 6‐0. IV. Business A. Authorize Signature - Confluence Development - 4th Amendment to Purchase and Development Agreement Mr. Hinzman presented the amendment to the purchase and development agreement between Confluence and HEDRA. Performance dates were amended to more accurately reflect the current situation of the development. Performance dates for encapsulation work and the project’s completion were among the dates amended. Mr. Mattingly and Mr. Reagan from the Confluence Development gave an update on the activities that have taken place on the project over the past year and the activities it has planned in the future. Commissioner Horsch asked for clarification on the proposed number of apartments being developed. Mr. Mattingly clarified that the number of apartments was adjusted to facilitate more functional floorplans for all of the apartments. Commissioner Vaughan motioned to authorize the signature of the amendment to the Purchase and Development Agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Motion approved as presented 6-0. B. Resolution: Authorize Signature - Contract for Private Development and TIF Agreement between HEDRA and Hastings AH I, LLLP (Schoolhouse Square Senior Housing) Mr. Hinzman provided a summary of the request by legal staff to adopt a resolution to authorize signature of the contract. Mr. Hinzman also clarified the long-term affordability of the senior facility. Commissioner Horsch motioned to authorize the signature of the Development and TIF agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Peine. Motion approved as presented 6-0. C. Resolution: Rescind and Terminate Lot Sale Approval - Miller Electrical Mr. Maass provided a summary of the request to rescind and terminate a preliminary lot sale to Miller Electrical as the business has deemed it no longer financially feasible. Mr. Maass clarified that rescindment would not preclude HEDRA from approving a lot sale to that business in the future, but opens up the City of Hastings to negotiations should another business become interested in that lot. Commissioner Sinclair motioned to adopt the resolution to rescind and terminate the lot sale approval as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Braucks. Motion approved 6-0. D. Adopt HEDRA Strategic Plan Mr. Hinzman summarized the Strategic Plan and its priorities. Noting the additional action of staff to assess opportunities for activation of alleyway between 2nd Street and Levee Park as a promenade. Commissioner Vaughan inquired about historic tax credit investors and their possible applications to blighted historic properties in the city. Suggesting a possible HEDRA workshop to educate the commission and residents on the opportunities they present. Commissioner Horsch inquired into the blight identification item’s Revolving Loan Program and its dollar amount. Mr. Maass stated that the revolving loan program would be used to assist businesses in financing various improvement projects to their properties and in keeping their properties up to code. Commissioner Braucks inquired into possible incentives to motivate the Target site into clearing easements on their property. Mr. Maass clarified that it is entities with vested interest that aren’t motivated in clearing those easements and that weekly conversations continue on its ultimate outcome. Commissioner Peine asked for clarification on whether or not the Revolving Loan Program would limit businesses to the type of improvement being made. Mr. Maass clarified that they would not be precluded from funding. Commissioner Peine also noted that the property acquisition funds would be especially helpful in redeveloping sites along Vermillion Street that may be limited due to their size. Commissioner Braucks motioned to adopt the Strategic Plan as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Motion approved 6-0. V. Reports and Information A. Commercial Vacancy Mr. Hinzman noted that VZ Haberdashery is completing its buildout of 214 2nd Street E which was going to be the downtown location of Schoolhouse Scoop. B. Development Update Mr. Hinzman summarized development activities that have taken place throughout the city in the past month. Among the activities discussed were the addition of cupulas to the Confluence development; staff continuing to meet regularly with Target’s building broker, CBRE; submittal of Quality One Woodwork’s Site Plan; a publication on Hastings Industrial Park in the Finance & Commerce newspaper; and a change in ownership of 1800 Vermillion Street to Clear Choice Pool and Spa. Commissioners discussed the recent sale of 315 Pine Street and future rehabilitation work on the structure. C. BR&E Visit Report – Intek Plastics Mr. Maass presented a summary of the visit with Intek Plastics and thanked Commissioner Peine for his participation in the visit. Highlights of the visit included plans to hire in the coming year and plans to expand both their manufacturing and warehouse capacity. Commissioner Peine encouraged the other commissioners to join future BR&E visits. D. 2020 Community Development Annual Report Mr. Timmerman presented the Community Development Department’s annual report for 2020. Highlights included construction, development, and HEDRA activities from the past year. E. 2021 Economic Development Biannual Update Mr. Maass gave an update on the first six months of economic development activities. Activities completed or tracked include: 10 BR&E visits, 64 business drop ins, five new businesses opening in Hastings, and meetings with five developers about opportunities in Hastings. VI. Adjourn 6:54 p.m. motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Sinclair and seconded by Commissioner Horsch. Motion to adjourn approved 6-0. Next Meeting: August 12, 2021 Respectively submitted: Grady Timmerman Community Development Intern