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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 05-24 EDAMMINUTES 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 MAY 2412021 VIA ZOOM 1. CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Regular Session called to order by President Mike Elliott at 8940 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL President Mike Elliott and Commissioners Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence - Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Commissioner April Graves was excused. Also present were Acting Executive Director Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, Economic Development Coordinator Vong Thao, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Butler moved and Commissioner Ryan seconded to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda, and the following item was approved: 3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 10, 2021 —Regular Session Motion passed unanimously. 4. COMMISSION CONSIDERATION ITEMS 4a. RESOLUTION N0.2021-05 APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE RIGHT OF ENTRY AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF THE FORMER TARGET BUILDING BY NORTH MEMORIAL HOSPITALS AND CLINICS Acting Executive Director Reggie Edwards introduced the item and invited Ms. Beekman to present the staff report. Community Development Director Meg Beekman reviewed that in November of 2020, the EDA entered into a right of entry agreement with North Memorial Hospitals and Clinics for the use of the former Target building, which is owned by the EDA. The purpose at that time was to open a OS/24/21 -1- COVID testing facility available to the public to provide testing. The lease was for six months and then from month -to -month with notice provided by either party. She advised that two months ago, North Memorial shifted their focus from providing COVID tests to providing COVID vaccines. Initially, they provided those strictly to their patient base but have since opened it to the general public and are now accepting walk ins as well. North Memorial's lease went through the end of May and they have provided notice they would like to extend to the end of June. They initially asked for a reduction in rent from $8,500 per month to $4,000 per month, generally citing the drop off in number of vaccines provided and interest, which is a trend seen in other parts of the State and country. She noted North Memorial does get reimbursed for the vaccines so it was a cost benefit. Ms. Beekman stated staff reached out to North Memorial to aslc if there are ways to promote the site more broadly to Brooklyn Center residents so folk are aware it is available and explored the idea of incentivize vaccines. North Memorial replied that offering incentives is not permitted within the Medicare rules they have to follow. However, they have offered their marketing department to help prepare some collateral to push out into the community more widely that this is available. Ms. Beekman explained that at this point, the resolution before the EDA is to amend the agreement, focused specifically on the lease rate reduction from $8,500 to $4,000. She had a conversation with Mike Opat who is on the board and indicated there has been some requests to waive the rent altogether for the month of June. She has not received that request in writing but had a conversation with staff who indicated they would be appreciative of that given the cost of running the operation compared with the number of vaccines they are providing. Ms. Beekman offered to answer questions. Mary Beth McDonald, North Memorial, thanked Ms. Beekman for a great summary and stated they are proud of the work they have been able to do at that vaccine site, noting since the end of November they have given almost 61,000 vaccines. She stated she appreciated the EDA's consideration and offered to answer questions. President Elliott stated he would be inclined to support the reduction in rent as he knows North Memorial has chosen to be in Brooklyn Center, which has been and continues to be at the top of the list for infections in Hennepin County. He stated having North Memorial here is an asset to Brooklyn Center and he is interested in finding ways to continue to better target folks in our community and promote the availability of the vaccine. President Elliott stated this is a public service that North Memorial is providing and the City is fortunate to have them located here in Brooklyn Center. President Elliott moved and Commissioner Ryan seconded to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2021-01; Approving an Amendment to the Right of Entry Agreement for the use of the former Target Building by North Memorial Hospitals and Clinics. Motion passed unanimously. OS/24/21 -2- 4b. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-06 APPROVING THE AWARD OF GRANTS UNDER THE MICRO -GRANT FA4ADE PROGRAM Acting Executive Director Reggie Edwards introduced the item and invited Ms. Beekman to present the staff report. Ms. Beekman stated Economic Development Coordinator Vong Thao has been with Brooklyn Center since January and prepared the Micro -Grant Fagade Improvement Program and reviewed the applications. She invited Mr. Thao to present the staff report. Economic Development Coordinator Vong Thao introduced himself and stated the EDA is considering a motion to approve the eight applications in the current amount of $37,500. He provided background on the Micro -Grant Program, noting the City Council established strategic priorities for the 2021 budget that included a $50,000 initiative to support a program to help incentivize businesses with clean up and property improvements, which includes repair and damages as a result of the civil unrest. Mr. Thao stated most of the work would be exterior improvements and fagade beautification. The grant awards up to $5,000 per business to assist with the improvement of exterior properties. Mr. Thao explained there was a scoring criterion but based on the number of applications received, it was not needed as the requests for grants was under the amount available. He read a list of eligible uses and stated the approval process was on a rolling basis. Once the program was launched, 11 applications were received and 8 were recommended for approval for a total amount of $37,500. Three applications were denied for various reasons including being a home -based business, a business not located within Brooklyn Center, and for replacement of stolen vehicle catalytic converters. Mr. Thao restated the request of the EDA is to approve the eight applications for $37,500, noting the businesses are listed in the staff report and included in tonight's meeting packet as follows: • Allstate - Chima Ogwurilce Agency will be installing exterior cameras, athena gun detectors, glass break sensor, door access control with video. Grant request amount of $5,000, match amount of $9,765 and total project cost of $14,765. • BT Nails will be replacing glass windows. Grant requested of $3,500 with a matching amount of $2,000 and total project cost of $5,500. • F and G Beauty will be repairing broken windows and door. Grant requested of $5,000, matching funds of $1,259 and total project cost of $6259. • God Will Fashion will be replacing windows and doors. Grant requested of $5,000, matching funds of $5,000 and total project cost of $10,000. • Hmong Senior Healthcare will be upgrading their gutters and landscaping expenses. Grant request of $5,000, no match at this time and an estimated project cost of over $5,000. OS/24/21 -3- • Jammin Wings will be repairing fiont entrance windows, replace lighting and add cameras. Grant request of $5,000, match amount of $5,000 and total project cost of $10,000. • v inai Market will be replacing their front doors and window glass replacement. Grant request of $5,000, no match amount is provided at this time and total project cost is not yet known. • Xin Xin Restaurant will be replacing damaged windows and frames. Grant requested is $4,000, no match and total project cost of $4,000. Mr. Thao noted all are businesses of color, small business operations, and this money will go a long way for these applicants. President Elliott asked, generally speaking, how did people find out about the availability of these grants. Mr. Thao stated an e-mail blast was sent to businesses twice and phone calls were made as well as visiting businesses face to face. Also, staff helped businesses complete the application process and worked with them on the level of grant requested. Mr. Thao noted the list of applicants represents a very diverse group of business entities and many are small businesses in mixed retail and service businesses. President Elliott asked what staff saw in differences between applicants and the awards recommended and if there is a difference between the demand and funds available. Mr. Thao stated there is a high demand for what the EDA has available, noting the program is new and staff had to walls some business owners through the application process. Staff continues to accept applications on a rolling basis and today he received two new applications that will be considered in round two of approvals and he is expecting more businesses to submit an application in the next Few weeks. President Elliott moved and Commissioner Ryan seconded to approve eight applications for the Micro Fagade Grant Program with total grant amount to approve as D37,500 as recommended by staff; and, adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2021-06 Approving the Award of Grants Under the Micro - grant Fagade Program. Motion passed unanimously. 5. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Ryan moved and President Elliott seconded adjourmnent of the Economic Development Authority meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. OS/24/21 -4- 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 EDA Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on May 24, 2021. 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 June 28, 2021, Regular Session. OS/24/21 -5-