Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 11-09 EDAM11/09/20 -1- MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 9, 2020 1. CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Regular Session called to order by President Mike Elliott at 8:05 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Webex. 2. ROLL CALL President Mike Elliott and Commissioners Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence- Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were Executive Director Curt Boganey, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, City Clerk Barb Suciu and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA President Elliott moved and Commissioner Ryan seconded to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda, and the following item was approved: 3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. October 12, 2020 – Regular Session 3b. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-17 AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF CARES ACT FUNDS TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND FORGIVING SMALL BUSINESS LOANS CREATED UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM RESOLUTION NO. 2020-18 AUTHORIZING USE OF CARES FUNDS FOR PAST EXPENSES FROM FORGIVLBE LOAN PROGRAM AND PROVIDING FOR LOAN FORGIVENESS Motion passed unanimously. 4. COMMISSION CONSIDERATION ITEMS 4a. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-19 APPROVING A RIGHT OF ENTRY AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF THE FORMER TARGET BUILDING BY NORTH MEMORIAL HOSPITALS AND CLINICS 11/09/20 -2- Community Development Director Meg Beekman reviewed a request from North Memorial Health to enter an agreement with the Economic Development Authority (EDA) for use of the former Target building and parking lot as the location for a walk-up Covid-testing clinic. North Memorial Health is seeking a large site to combine capacity and replace 2 existing testing sites. Ms. Beekman stated North Memorial Health would enter a 6-month lease agreement with the EDA which would then shift to month-to-month. The facility would be open for testing Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with an expected daily capacity of 300-500 people per day, with 30 people being tested at a time. Pre-registration would be required, and appointments would take between 10-30 minutes, depending upon numbers. Ms. Beekman stated the proposed lease amount would be $8,000 per month, and North Memorial Health would take over exterior maintenance and snow removal, as well as utility payments. People who are already registered for testing would enter through the main entrance at their appointment time and exit through the side door. It is hoped that the testing site will be up and running very soon as there is currently high demand for testing. President Elliott stated this sounds like a great opportunity for the City and its residents to have access to testing. Commissioner Graves asked about the other two locations that will be closed. Lance Ross, Emergency Manager with North Memorial Health, stated the current drive-up testing site is in Robbinsdale, in the rear parking lot of the Specialty Care Center. He added the walk-up testing site is located at 44th and Humboldt, but due to the size of the space, social distancing would be difficult. He noted the Target site, which is located on the bus line, will provide ample space for social distancing and queueing. He noted North Memorial Health is excited about the possibilities of the Target site. Commissioner Graves asked whether the testing site will be used for vaccinations when they become available. Mr. Ross stated he is unsure about how the vaccines will be rolled out, but the site would be appropriate for vaccinations. Commissioner Graves stated she works at the Minneapolis Health Department. She added she understands the Pfizer vaccine, which has been proven to be 90% effective against the virus, may be released soon in phases, although it has not received final approval. She noted she is curious about the vaccine, considering the demographics and high rates of Covid-19 in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Ryan stated the health and safety of the residents of Brooklyn Center is the City Council’s greatest priority. He added he is pleased to see this proposal come forward. He asked how long the turnaround time is for people who are waiting for test results. Mr. Ross stated test results have been coming back within 3-7 days. He added that time frame has gone up in the last few days to 72-96 hours, due to high volume of testing. He noted, however, 3- 7 days is a safe assumption. 11/09/20 -3- Commissioner Ryan stated he appreciates that North Memorial Health is trying to expand their testing capability, which has been a factor in how this terrible pandemic has been mishandled in this country. He added he hopes the proposal moves forward. President Elliott stated the Brooklyn Center community has been shown to be among the very hardest hit by Covid-19. He asked whether North Memorial Health will also provide outreach services to the community, in terms of testing sites. Mr. Ross stated he is not sure he understands the question. He added, along with testing sites, North Memorial Health has a community paramedic program and mobile lab that go out to nursing homes and other established contacts. President Elliott stated the Brooklyn Center community is very diverse. He asked whether North Memorial Health has a program in place to interface with local residents, to provide information about testing. Mr. Ross stated he is the Emergency Manager, and he provides daily support services to the testing sites. He added he does not have any information about outreach programs and education about testing for different populations. President Elliott asked whether Mr. Ross can find that out and let him know if there is someone who works on outreach. Mr. Ross agreed. Mr. Ross stated North Memorial Health already has a good working relationship with Brooklyn Center through EMT and emergency services. He thanked the City Council for considering this opportunity to serve the community. He thanked Ms. Beekman and her staff, as well as the Fire Chief, Fire Inspector, and Fire Department for their assistance. Mr. Boganey stated this is a great opportunity to provide a service that fills a need in Brooklyn Center. President Elliott moved and Commissioner Ryan seconded to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2020-19 Approving a Right of Entry Agreement for the Use of the Former Target Building by North Memorial Hospitals and Clinics. Motion passed unanimously. 6. ADJOURNMENT President Elliott moved and Commissioner Graves seconded adjournment of the Economic Development Authority meeting at 8:26 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 11/09/20 -4- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed Secretary of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Regular Session of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) of the City of Brooklyn Center held on November 9, 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 Economic Development Authority (EDA) adopted said minutes at its November 23, 2020, Regular Session. President