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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 04-26 EDAPE conomic Development Authority V I RT UA L meeting being conducted by electronic means in accordance with Minnesota S tatutes, section 13D.021 P ublic portion available for connection via telephone Dial: 1-312-626- 6799 Meeting I D: 92710125463# Passcode: 7635693300# A pril 26, 2021 AGE NDA 1.Call to Order The City Council requests that attendees turn off cell phones and pagers during the meeting. A copy of the full C ity Counc il packet, including E D A (E conomic Development Authority ), is available to the public. The packet ring binder is located at the entrance of the council chambers. 2.Roll Call 3.Approval of Consent Agenda The following items are considered to be routine by the Economic Development Authority (E D A) and will been acted by one motion. There will be no separate disc ussion of these items unless a Commissioner so requests, in whic h event the item will be removed from the c onsent agenda and considered at the end of Commission Consideration I tems. a.Approval of Minutes - Motion to approve the April 26, 2021 minutes 4.Commission Consideration Items a.Resolution Establishing a Micro-Grant F acade I mprovement Program - Motion to approve a resolution approving Policy and Procedures for Micro-grant Facade Improvement Program 5.Adjournment Economic Development Authority DAT E:4/26/2021 TO :C ity C ouncil F R O M:C urt Boganey, City Manager T H R O U G H :N/A BY:Barb S uciu, C ity C lerk S U B J E C T:A pproval of Minutes Requested Council A con: - Moon to approve the A pril 26, 2021 minutes B ackground: B udget I ssues: I nclusive C ommunity Engagement: A nracist/Equity Policy Effect: S trategic Priories and Values: O pera-onal Excellence AT TA C H M E N TS : D escrip-on U pload D ate Type 4/26/2021 M inutes 5/4/2021 Backup M aterial Economic Development Authority DAT E:4/26/2021 TO :C ity C ouncil F R O M:C urt Boganey, City Manager T H R O U G H :M eg Beekman, C ommunity D evelopment D irector BY:Vong Thao, Economic D evelopment C oordinator S U B J E C T:Res olu.on Establis hing a Micro-G rant Facade I mprovement P rogram Requested Council A con: - Moon to approve a resoluon approving Policy and P rocedures for M icro-grant Facade I mprovement P rogram B ackground: A s part of the 2021 budget, the Brooklyn C enter C ity C ouncil iden.fied a s trategic Council P riority to promote beau.fica.on and cleanlines s . The goal of the strategy w as to put into effect new programs and approaches to improve the look and quality of the City. O n of the ac.vi.es under this priority that w as iden.fied was to explore and implement a program to incen.vize bus inesses to inves t in bea.fica.on s trategies. The E DA budget included $50,000 to fund such a program. O ver the last several w eeks staff has been mee.ng with commercial property ow ners as well as busines s res ource providers s uch as the A frican D evelopment Center (A D C ), L I B A and A C E R. A s part of thos e dis cus s ions it became clear that s mall and medium s iz ed bricks and mortar bus inesses w ould benefit from a micro-grant program to assist with exterior improvements to their proper.es . Economic D evelopment Coordinator, Vong Thao, cra@ed a program s imilar to one being implemented in the City of S t. Paul. The program would provide matching grants of up to $5,000 to small and medium sized bus inesses . G rant proceeds would be able to be used for the following purposes: I nstalla.on, repair or replacement of exterior signage including, monument signs on the property and wall signs affixed to the building Exterior ligh.ng Exterior pain.ng Repair and /or replacement of w indow s and exterior doors Mas onry repairs and tuck poin.ng A rt installa.ons and wall murals, w ith an approved maintenance plan Canopy and/or awning ins talla.on or repair Pedes trian improvements , which improve access for pers ons w ith dis abili.es. Permanent site improvements (w alks , pa.os, courts) Trash and mechanical enclosures Parking area repairs and improvements (including the addi.on of bicycle facili.es ) S ecurity cameras , as approved by the Brooklyn Center Police D epartment Fences Materials for any of the above iden.fied items Policies and procedures for a micro-grant program have been created and are aBached to this report. T he purpose of the Micro-grant Façade I mprovement Program would be to support businesses with exterior improvements, beau.fica.on and repairs. T he inten.on is to encourage and assist businesses with improving the exterior of proper.es while improving the public realm, beau.fying businesses, improving public safety and maintaining cleanliness. A s part of the program, any G rantee w ho controls their parking lot and landscaped areas would be required to provide a property maintenance and beau.fica.on plan. The P lan w ould include how the property ow ner or property manager will ens ure that the exterior of teh property remains free of tras h and liBer. A pplica.ons w ill be reques ted immediately upon approval of the program. A pplica.ons w ill be scored and a recommenda.on of aw ards based on the scoring will be brought to the E DA for approval. A ny funds not expended in the first round w ould be available on a rolling bas is . S taff has been working on this program for s everal weeks ; however, s taff is aware that the current events in the city and civil unres t have caus ed damage to many busines s es. A c.va.ng this program w ill allow bus inesses to u.lize these res ources as part of their rebuilding efforts. I n addi.on to this program, the E DA created a revolving loan fund program tw o years ago. The policies and procedures for the program were adopted by the E DA ; however, the the program has not been funded up un.l now. The 2021 E DA budget included funding the revolving loan program w ith $100,000. F unding the program was iden.fied by the C ouncil as an approved ac.on under the C ouncil's s trategic priority of Busines s Economic S tability. The revolving loan program w ill also be made available to bus inesses as part of the rebuilding effort. I t provides larger low interes t loans to busines s es for exterior improvements and equipment purchases . B udget I ssues: The E DA Budget includes $50,000 for this program. I nclusive C ommunity Engagement: A nracist/Equity Policy Effect: The program s coring criteria awards addi.on points if the bus iness is locally owned and either cons idered a s mall bus iness (under 25 employees ), and/or is ow ned by a woman or pers on of color. S trategic Priories and Values: S afe, S ecure, S table C ommunity AT TA C H M E N TS : D escrip.on U pload D ate Type Res olu.on 4/20/2021 Resolu.on LeBer M icro-G rant Facade I mprovement P rogram Policies and P rocedures 4/20/2021 Resolu.on LeBer Commissioner introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: EDA RESOLUTION NO. 2021- RESOLUTION APPROVING POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR MICRO-GRANT FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota (the "EDA") acknowledges the need to provide financial assistance to small and medium sized businesses to forward the economic development objectives of the City of Brooklyn Center (the "City"); and WHEREAS, the EDA has determined to adopt written procedures regarding how the City will carry out its micro-grant façade improvement program, and to that end has caused to be prepared a document titled Policy and Procedures for the Micro-grant Façade Improvement Program of the Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (the "Policy"). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota (the "Board"), as follows: 1. The Board hereby adopts the Policy. 2. EDA staff are authorized to take all actions necessary to carry out the Policy. April 26, 2021 Date President ATTEST: City Clerk The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: and the following voted against the same: whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. EXHIBIT A POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR THE MICRO-GRANT FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY I. PURPOSE The purpose of the Micro-grant Façade Improvement Program is to provide matching grants of up to $5,000 to support small and medium sized businesses in the City with exterior improvements, beautification and repairs. The intention is to encourage and assist businesses with improving the exterior of properties while improving the public realm, beautifying businesses, improving public safety and maintaining cleanliness. II. MICRO-GRANT FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT FUND GOALS By providing matching grants of up to $5,000 to existing or new businesses, the Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center has established the following goals: 1. The proposed project must be a conforming use in the zoning district in which it is located and generally consistent with the City of Brooklyn Center’s Comprehensive Plan. 2. The project will consist of permanent building and/or site improvements, which improve the exterior appearance of buildings and property, comply with all building codes and city regulations. 3. The project will not significantly or adversely increase the impacts on existing utility service needs in the City. 4. The project should seek to utilize local contractors, suppliers, vendors, professionals, and/or financial institutions when feasible. 5. The project will help protect or increase property values and the general public’s health, safety and welfare. 6. The proposed project will improve the customer experience and contribute to the aesthetic quality of the area. III. QUALIFYING IMPROVEMENTS AND USE OF FUNDS Micro-grant Façade Improvement Fund proceeds may be used for the following purposes: 1. Installation, repair or replacement of exterior signage including, monument signs on the property and wall signs affixed to the building 2. Exterior lighting 3. Exterior painting 4. Repair and /or replacement of windows and exterior doors 5. Masonry repairs and tuck pointing 6. Art installations and wall murals, with an approved maintenance plan 7. Canopy and/or awning installation or repair 8. Pedestrian improvements, which improve access for persons with disabilities. 9. Permanent site improvements (walks, patios, courts) 10. Trash and mechanical enclosures 2 11. Parking area repairs and improvements (including the addition of bicycle facilities) 12. Security cameras, as approved by the Brooklyn Center Police Department 13. Fences 14. Materials for any of the above identified items Grant proceeds may not be applied to: 1. Work, which is in process or purchases made prior to the application approval. 2. Improvement to residential-only (non-commercial) buildings or sites 3. New additions (new square footage) or new buildings 4. Billboards 5. Trees 6. Roofing 7. Kitchen or store equipment that is not affixed to building, such as free-standing refrigerators 8. Plantings 9. Pylon, temporary, or roof signs 10. Labor for an unlicensed contractor Qualifying Improvements must begin construction or be purchased within 90 days of loan closing, unless an extension is requested and approved. IV. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY 1. Applicants may be individual owners, partnerships, corporations, tenant operators, or contract for deed purchasers of a property or building within the City of Brooklyn Center. Documentation of entity status shall be delivered with the application forms. 2. Land use of the property must be identified as a commercial, industrial, office or mixed- use 3. Applicant must provide $1 for $1 match of program funds, up to $5,000. Any expenditures related to a project, which exceed the EDA’s match, will come from owners’ expense. V. GRANT DETAILS The Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center will review each application, pursuant to the goals and policies set forth in this document, on a case-by-case basis. 1. Minimum Grant Amount. The minimum loan amount shall be $1,000. 2. Maximum Grant Amount. The maximum loan amount shall be $5,000. 3. Grant Terms. Grantee shall enter into a Grant Agreement with the Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center prior to commencing work on the approved project. Grantee shall furnish invoices for work done to complete the project. City shall reimbursement up to 50% of eligible costs back to the Grantee. 4. Property Beautification. Grantees who control their parking and property areas shall provide a property maintenance and beautification plan as part of their approval. The Plan shall include how the property owner or property manager will ensure the parking 3 and landscaped areas of the property remain free of trash and litter. This may include the addition of covered trash receptacles, trash enclosures or other devices to prevent trash from blowing around the property; assigning staff to regularly clean up parking and landscaped areas; and eliminating plastic bags and other one-time use items that tend to accumulate as litter. 5. Equity Participation. Applicant shall provide a $1 for $1 match of grant funds, up to $5,000. 6. Grant Repayments. No repayment of grant funds is required provided all funds are used on eligible expenditures. 7. Grant Duration. Work for grant funded activities must commence within 90 days of the execution of the Grant Agreement, unless an extension is approved in writing by EDA staff, or the Grant Agreement shall expire and grant funds shall be absorbed back into the program to fund other eligible projects. VI. APPLICATION PROCESS In order to be considered for a grant award, an applicant must submit a completed application to the Economic Development Authority of the City of Brooklyn Center with the following attachments: 1. Picture(s) of existing conditions of proposed area to be improved; 2. Descriptions, drawings, renderings and/or pictures of proposed improvements; 3. Contractor estimates; 4. Timeline for project; 5. For tenants: Letter of consent for improvements from building owner VII. REVIEW GROUP City of Brooklyn Center staff will review applications to ensure they are complete, and score them based on the scoring criteria below. Applications will be ranked based on the scoring results. A recommendation for funding shall be presented to the Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center, which will make the final determination. Determination of whether a grant application is approved will be in the sole discretion of the EDA. 1. Scoring Criteria: i. Aesthetic improvement/“curb appeal”. Improvements that enhance the customer experience and aesthetic quality of the business, property and area (10 points) ii. Community Impact. The project provides a positive impact to the neighborhood, such as improving safety, increasing ADA accessibility, improving public spaces, building community connections, honoring cultural assets or creating jobs. (10 points) iii. Local Economic Impact. The project utilizes local contractors, suppliers, vendors, professionals, and/or financial institutions (5 points) iv. Readiness. The project can be completed in a reasonable timeframe, with a budget that matches the scope of work. The scope of work is achievable with the funding and timeline provided. (5 points) v. Local Business Impact. The business is owned (at least 25% stake) by a resident(s) of the seven-county metro area and meet at least one of the criteria below (5 points): ii. Be a small business (25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees); 4 iii. Be owned (at least 25% stake) and/or operated by women, or persons of color. VIII. PAYMENT OF GRANT PROCEEDS Grant payments shall be paid directly to Grantees. Grantees shall submit invoices to EDA staff. The City shall reimburse up to 50% of all eligible expenditures identified on the invoice. A final reimbursement payment shall not be issued until all work for the grant-funded activities has been completed. Invoices and other necessary information as related to the project costs shall be provided to the EDA or its representative prior to the disbursement of funds. The EDA may, in its sole discretion, allow proceeds to be released earlier than upon completion of work if used as a down payment for work and/or to allow payment to be made directly to the participating lender, contractor, or vendor. IX. DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED All persons/businesses submitting an application and receiving loan proceeds agree, by accepting said proceeds, to comply with all federal and state laws and related rules and regulations which prohibit discrimination. Generally, these laws and rules make it an unfair employment practice, expect when based on limited, statutory exception or a bona fide occupational qualification, for an employer to refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise treat a person differently with respect to fire, compensation, terms, upgrading, conditions, facilities or privileges of employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, or sexual orientation; or in reprisal for objection to, or participating in the investigation or litigation of, alleged discrimination or for associating with disabled person(s) of a different race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation or national origin.