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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 01-27 CCM Work SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION JANUARY 27, 2020 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Mike Elliott at 7:53 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Mike Elliott and Councilmembers/Commissioners April Graves and Dan Ryan. Councilmembers/Commissioners Marquita Butler and Kris Lawrence -Anderson were absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. CONCEPT REVIEW FROM J O COMPANIES, LLC FOR THE EDA-OWNED PROPERTIES LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 61ST AVENUE NORTH AND BROOKLYN BOULEVARD (cont'd) Community Development Director Meg Beekman stated she completed her presentation during the Study Session. She asked whether the City Council/EDA had questions or comments. Mayor/President Elliott asked for clarification regarding the time frame for 100% affordability of the apartments. Ms. Beekman stated the length of affordability depends upon the source of the subsidy, as they have requirements and regulations. She added federal funding, a common form of financing for legally binding affordable housing has specific requirements. She noted, for instance, the developer of the Jerry's Foods site received federal tax credits that were sold to private investors to buydown their tax base, and they have a 15-year requirement that can be extended and refinanced. The developer, representing J O Companies, LLC, thanked the City Council/EDA for their consideration of the proposed project. He introduced other members of the design team. He thanked Ms. Beekman and City Staff for their help and support. He thanked Ms. Beekman and City Staff for their help and support. He noted this would be a significant development and an opportunity to provide families with a new, attractive place to live. The developer stated he has been working with the City of St. Paul for the past two years on a 91- unit development similar to that which is currently being proposed. He expressed the importance 01 /27/20 -1- of engaging the community to get their support and perspective. He added his development partners bring years of experience in development to this proposal. He noted the development team believes this unique development, with many 3-bedroom units, is something the City of Brooklyn Center needs, and will be a benefit to the community. Mayor/President Elliott thanked the developer for bringing the proposal to the City Council/EDA. He added he believes the project meets many of the community's needs. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she is excited about the proposed development, and she likes that there are many 3-bedroom units. She added she supports the affordability of the development, which makes the availability of TIF funding more palatable. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves asked whether the proposed building would be four stories. Mr. Park stated he has met with the developers of the Sanctuary to find what worked for them and what was not feasible. He added they are supportive of this type of proposal as there is a lack of this type of affordable housing in the community. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan thanked the developer for his presentation. He added he is very interested in the proposal, and it is similar in many ways to what the City Council/EDA had expressed as priorities for the previous proposal for this site. He noted the proposed architectural design fits well with the location, and the inclusion of many 3-bedroom units fills a need within the community. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated the proposed projected rents for the proposed aprarttment building are not very different from the average apartment rents here in Brooklyn Center, except for the 3-bedroom units, because there are too few of those in the city to make the comparison. Ms. Beekman agreed, adding market rents in Brooklyn Center is affordable at 50% Area Median Income (AMI). She said there is stability in this type of development, and it is difficult to make comparisons as most apartment buildings in Brooklyn Center were built between 1961-1971. Mayor/President Elliott asked whether the developer intends to include energy -saving components and sustainability measures. He added he is in favor of moving forward with the project. The developer confirmed that sustainability would be a priority with this development. He added it is an essential focus at the State level as well as within communities. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan asked whether the developer will maintain ownership of the building. He added renters have often expressed that they have a better rental experience if the developer owns and manages the property over a long time period. The developer stated he intends to be a long-term owner/operator. 01 /27/20 -2- Mayor/President Elliott thanked the developer for his presentation. Mayor/President Elliott stated Ramsey County funding requests would be reviewed tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. He asked whether any of the Councilmembers/Commissioners would be able to attend to represent the City regarding the need for County funding. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she could attend the Ramsey County meeting. Mayor/President Elliott called for adjournment as he was not feeling well. ADJOURNMENT Mayor/President Elliott moved, and Councilmember/Commissioner Graves seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 8:30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on January 27, 2020. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its February 10, 2020, Regular Session. Barbara Suciu, City Clerk Mike Elliott, Mayor 01/27/20 -3-