HRA Minutes

March 2, 2010

A regular meeting of the Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority was held March 2, 2010, at Hopkins City Hall. Present were Chairman Eugene Maxwell and Commissioners Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan and Cheryl Youakim. Also present were Executive Director Rick Getschow, Assistant Executive Director Kersten Elverum and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.

  1. Call To Order
    The meeting was called to order at 7:20 pm.
  2. Open Agenda/Public Comments
    None
  3. Consent Agenda
    1. Approve minutes of the February 1, 2010, regular meeting
    2. Approve disbursements through February 28, 2010

    3. ITEM 2010-01 Adopt 2010 HRA calendar

      Commissioner Halverson moved, Commissioner Rowan seconded, to approve the consent agenda.  The motion was approved unanimously.

  4. New Business

    1. ITEM 2010-04 Operating Budget for 2010-2011
      Ms. Elverum presented the recommended Operating Budget for the HRA-owned public housing, Dow Towers, for 2010-2011.  She explained that it was a requirement of HUD that an operating budget be adopted, including the Operating Subsidy Calculation.  She detailed budget items that were increases or decreases over previous years.  Commissioner Brausen requested more information regarding the contract costs under Ordinary Maintenance and Operations and suggested that additional discussion take place at a future work session. 

      Commissioner Rowan moved, Commissioner Brausen seconded, to adopt Resolution 468, approving the operating budget for the period ending 3/31/11. The motion was approved unanimously.

    2. ITEM 2010-05 Option Agreement—Park Nicollet
      Ms. Elverum explained that the City of Hopkins has developed a vision for redevelopment along Eighth Avenue that would enhance the connection between the proposed SW LRT station at Eighth Avenue/Excelsior Boulevard and Mainstreet. 

      A key parcel in the redevelopment plan is the Park Nicollet site, which was vacated in August 2009 and is now available for purchase. Park Nicollet has agreed to give the HRA the option to purchase the property. City Attorney Jerry Steiner recommended three changes to the proposed option agreement as follows:

      1. That Section 3 of the Purchase Agreement exhibit to the Option Agreement be modified to require Park Nicollet to remove any liens that attach to the property between the date of the Option Agreement and the date of closing.
      2. That Section 11.3 of the Purchase Agreement exhibit be modified to allow the HRA to terminate the Purchase Agreement and have the earnest money refunded if any of the inspections performed during the 60 day inspection period disclose adverse conditions not acceptable to the City.
      3. That Section 12 of the Purchase Agreement be modified to provide that all of the earnest money will be refunded to the HRA if the property is damaged or destroyed before closing and the HRA elects not to proceed with the acquisition of the property.

      Commissioner Youakim moved, Commissioner Brausen seconded, to approve the Option Agreement between the Hopkins HRA and Park Nicollet Clinic, subject to the three changes suggested by counsel.  The motion was approved unanimously.

  5. Adjournment

    Commissioner Halverson moved, Commissioner Brausen seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.