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Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes <br />June 2, 2025 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report. He introduced Chad Bouley, Executive Director for Central <br />Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, along with Amy Lord, Career and Technical Education Coordinator <br />with ISD 728. Together, they outlined a collaboration between both entities to provide hands-on <br />experience for high school students to learn the home-building trade, while providing an affordable <br />home for a family. This partnership, along with the HRA naming Habitat as a likely recipient of the city's <br />allocation of State Affordable Housing Aid dollars, will help aid the Habitat goals by assisting them in <br />identifying land for future Habitat homes. <br />Both Mr. Bouley and Ms. Lord expressed excitement about this partnership. It not only provides <br />students with additional construction experience, but the HRA can help fund the purchase of the lot, <br />which can be an expensive part of homeownership. Mr. Bouley explained how Habitat now partners <br />with Stearns Bank to hold the mortgage. The recently approved MHFA funding grant of $100,000 <br />received by ISD 728 can be applied for each year but may not always receive the same amount. Those <br />annual funds will be additional financial aid to this program. The HRA discussed the process of finding a <br />lot to ensure a home could be constructed on it and met the size of the lot. The partnership details will <br />continue to be finalized, and the program will begin in September 2026. <br />6.2 Addendum to 724 Main Street MOU <br />Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. <br />Moved by Commissioner Caswell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to approve the <br />First Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding allowing the Downtown Elk River <br />Business Association (DERBA) to utilize the HRA property at 724 Main Street. Motion <br />carried 5-0. <br />6.3 Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update <br />Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. <br />Commissioner Caswell asked about the inconsistent payments on a particular property. <br />Mr. Mollan stated the inconsistent payments for the property has been discussed with CEE and they <br />don't see it as a delinquency because the property, even though the property oscillates between <br />overpayment and no payment, it is not behind on principal owed. The payments are current and Mr. <br />Mollan stated if the HRA would like to re -visit the topic, they could discuss it at the upcoming <br />worksession. <br />6.4 General Updates <br />The following updates were provided to the HRA: <br />-Mr. Mollan shared the Garden Gem Awards will launch this week with an article and announcement on <br />social media. <br />-Mr. O'Neil stated Ron Touchette has stated he is drawing up plans for building a 9000 ft. building on <br />the corner of Main and Gates and would like to connect with the EDA and HRA to market the <br />building. <br />-Staff has received a resignation from a member of the Joint Finance Committee, and another member <br />will also be resigning. Mr. O'Neil stated he and Mr. Mollan will work together prior to soliciting new <br />