HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/09/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - Economic Development Authority - RegularOfficial minutes
EDA meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Sept. 16, 2024
1. Call to order.
President Dumalag called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
a. Roll call
Commissioners present: President Dumalag, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Yolanda
Farris, Nadia Mohamed, Margaret Rog (arrived 6:04 p.m.)
Commissioners absent: none
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), deputy city manager (Ms.
Walsh), community development director (Ms. Barton), administrative services director (Mr.
Brodeen), finance director (Ms. Cruver), facilities superintendent (Mr. Eisold), legislative and
grants analyst (Ms. Ferris), recreation superintendent (Ms. Friederich), public works director
(Mr. Hall), community development intern (Mr. Hansen), building and energy director (Mr.
Hoffman), police chief (Mr. Kruelle), deputy finance director (Mr. Olson), interim fire chief (Mr.
Scott), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), communications and technology director (Ms.
Smith), park superintendent (Mr. Umphrey), human resources director (Ms. Vorpahl), planning
manager (Mr. Walther), parks and recreation director (Mr. West), sustainability manager (Ms.
Ziring)
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Commissioner Brausen, seconded by Commissioner Farris, to approve the EDA
agenda as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Commissioner Rog absent).
3. Minutes.
a. EDA meeting minutes of Aug. 19, 2024
It was moved by Commissioner Mohamed, seconded by Commissioner Brausen, to approve the
EDA meeting minutes of Aug. 19, 2024 as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Commissioner Rog absent).
4. Consent items – none.
5. Public hearings – none.
6. Regular business
a. EDA Resolution No. 24-16 and 24-17 to adopt 2025 HRA and EDA levies
Docusign Envelope ID: EE1A7F41-4C55-42EF-957E-0B2EA1320BF7
Economic Development Authority -2- Sept. 16, 2024
Ms. Cruver presented the staff report. She explained the policy considerations related to the
EDA levy and HRA levy with an overall preliminary property tax levy payable in 2025 of
$49,979,665, a 7.52% increase from 2024 which includes:
• $48,598, 532 for core government services and debt payments (general and debt service
levies)
• $1,194,133 for housing projects and programs (HRA levy)
• $187,000 for economic development projects and programs (HRA levy)
Ms. Cruver noted that final levy approval will occur on Dec. 16, 2024.
Commissioner Rog asked if the EDA levy was previously $500,000 per year. Ms. Cruver stated
yes and last year it was adjusted up to $875,000 to fully cover staffing. Now staffing has been
moved out of this fund and it will focus only on programs.
Commissioner Rog asked if the EDA levy will remain stable at the $375 - $400,000 for the time
being. Ms. Cruver stated yes, barring any large changes that will be the end of the work needed
to stop the spenddown of the development fund.
Commissioner Rog asked if the additional state funds are being calculated into the HRA levy
fund, and if it will remain flat rather than fluid. Ms. Cruver stated the five-year financial
direction projects a flat forecast for the HRA levy. There are many new revenues coming to the
city and into housing, so staff will want to keep reassessing how fast this money will be added
and used before the levy is increased in the future.
Faith Riverstone, 9001 Stanlen Rd., stated she is concerned about the language of the EDA
resolution and noted there is very broad-reaching language. She would prefer the language be
less broad-reaching and just be to particular line items. She stated her intention to speak to her
concern further in the city council meeting.
Commissioner Budd noted she will support this motion.
Commissioner Brausen stated the EDA and council have been working on this budget since May
2024 and staff has been working on it since February 2024. He added this is the result of many
long hours by staff to figure out the resources needed to continue to provide the level of
government service people in the city have come to expect. He added it’s thoughtful and makes
sense to move some of the staff funding over to the general budget and he will support it.
President Dumalag thanked staff for their work and added the report makes it clear the HRA
and EDA levies are not for funding staff, but will allocate funds for projects and programs. She
noted it is helpful to see the investment the city is making here.
It was moved by Commissioner Brausen, seconded by Commissioner Farris, to adopt EDA
Resolution Nos. 24-16 and 24-17 approving the 2025 preliminary EDA and HRA property tax
levy.
The motion passed 7-0.
Docusign Envelope ID: EE1A7F41-4C55-42EF-957E-0B2EA1320BF7
Economic Development Authority -3- Sept. 16, 2024
7. Communications and announcements - none.
8. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, EDA secretary Lynette Dumalag, EDA president
Docusign Envelope ID: EE1A7F41-4C55-42EF-957E-0B2EA1320BF7