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HRA Meeting Minutes February 2,2004 Page 2 Commissioner Motin asked Mr.Vern Hanson of MetroPlains when the financing would be approved. Mr.Hanson stated that MetroPlains was awarded their first allocation of tax credits for the Jackson Block housing in fall of 2003. He stated that he did not want the Commission to feel that they were being strung along,and that the only remaining issue is the language for the Bluff and Jackson Block developments. Mr.Hanson explained that a request for additional tax credits will go to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency in early February 2004 and that the Department of Employment and Economic Development grant application award has been extended to early April. Keith Holme,co-owner of the Kemper Drug building,stated that he discussed parking issues when he met with Jim Prosser of Ehlers&Associates. Mr.Holmes stated that local realtors feel that MetroPlains'estimates for parking needs in the downtown area are not adequate. He asked if additional parking will be provided before construction begins. Mr. Holmes stated that he felt the lack of parking will affect jobs in the downtown. Chair Wilson suggested that Mr.Prosser address this question when he arrives for the meeting. Chair Wilson stated that he did not see any reason not to approve the 60-day extension. Commissioners Lieser,Thompson and Motin agreed. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER THOMPSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO GRANT AN EXTENSION OF THE PRELIMINARY REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH METROPLAINS DEVELOPMENT, LLC FORA PERIOD UP TO APRIL 5,2004. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6. Housing Work Plan—Housing Availability/Affordability Survey Results Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz explained that as a result of the low response to the housing availability/affordability survey,the HRA directed staff to re-send the survey to the retail/service businesses. Ms.Steinmetz noted there was a 39% response rate from the manufacturers and a 28%response rate from the retail/service businesses. She reviewed the results of the survey,noting that 66%of the sample of retail/service employers feel that Elk River is meeting the housing needs of their employees and 64%of the manufacturing employers feel that Elk River is meeting their employees' needs. The HRA Commissioners concurred with the following recommendations by staff, regarding housing availability and affordability in Elk River: • Utilize existing city plans, such as the Comprehensive Plan and the Economic Development Strategic Plan,to guide housing decisions. • Utilize workforce data to analyze the types of workers and wages in Elk River and compare it to housing affordability/availability in Elk River. • Continue to consider the appropriate housing balance for Elk River. • Conduct an informal housing survey to manufacturers and retail/service businesses on a biannual basis. •