HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/09/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - Economic Development Authority - Regular Official minutes
EDA meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
September 16, 2019
1. Call to order
President Hallfin called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.
Commissioners present: President Steve Hallfin, Tim Brausen, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity,
Thom Miller, Margaret Rog, and Jake Spano.
Commissioners absent: None.
Staff present: Chief Financial Officer (Mr. Simon), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Deputy City
Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
2. Roll call
3. Approval of minutes
3a. EDA meeting minutes of Sept. 3, 2019
It was moved by Commissioner Brausen, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve
the Sept. 3, 2019 meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
4. Approval of agenda and items on EDA consent calendar – none
5. Reports – none
6. Old Business – none
7. New Business
7a. 2020 preliminary HRA levy certification. Resolution No. 19-12.
Mr. Simon presented the report. He noted the HRA levy cannot exceed .0185% of the
estimated market value of the city. He stated the EDA is allowed to authorize the HRA
levy and then forward their recommendation to the city council. Council action is
required before certification and all special taxing district levies must be certified to the
county auditor by Sept. 30, 2019.
Commissioner Mavity stated she is very proud that this council and the community are
prioritizing affordable housing against heavy market forces, along with helping kids stay
in St. Louis Park schools and not lose their homes.
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Economic development authority -2- September 16, 2019
Commissioner Brausen stated the city has maintained this levy for a number of years,
and in the past, it was used for infrastructure projects, such as the Louisiana Avenue and
Highway 7 project. He stated he is glad this is moving in support of affordable housing,
adding there is a tremendous need for affordable housing and the city will continue to
devote resources to it.
Commissioner Rog stated she supports this levy and hopes the bulk, if not the entirety
of the funds, go to the city’s housing trust fund. She stated this is the city’s most flexible
tool to provide affordable housing, adding the more money in the fund, the better off
the city will be in guiding affordable housing.
Commissioner Harris stated she is celebrating the council’s move to support this levy,
adding the city has an opportunity to support folks in need. She looks forward to
creating opportunities for people’s incomes, particularly in Ward 3, where the largest
portion of students in the district receive free and reduced lunches and are in need of
assistance.
Commissioner Miller stated the average St. Louis Park resident doesn’t know that we
have two levies, a general levy and an HRA levy. He added there is an affordable housing
crisis in St. Louis Park, in the metro, and the country as a whole, and the city’s targeted
housing fund would make a dent in this problem . Commissioner Miller stated that is
why he supports the HRA levy, because it is very focused, and he encourages his
colleagues to put all of this levy into the housing trust fund and directly focus it on
affordable housing.
Commissioner Hallfin stated the council talks a lot about affordable housing, adding this
is one very good measure that will be put toward affordability in the city. However, he
noted, this is being attacked from the wrong end, pointing out the wage gap that exists
for many residents. He stated he would like to see wages go up and then the burdens
won’t be on the city as much as they have been.
It was moved by Commissioner Mavity, seconded by Commissioner Harris, to waive the
reading and adopt EDA Resolution No. 19-12, authorizing the 2020 preliminary HRA levy
certification.
The motion passed 7-0.
8. Communications – none
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, secretary President Hallfin
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