01 08 24 EDA MinutesEDA Meeting
Page 1 January 8, 2024
City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
EDA Minutes January 8, 2024
Regular Meeting City Hall
CALL TO ORDER President Hemken called the meeting of the Economic Development Authority to
order at 7:43 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present:
Kathi Hemken, President
John Elder, Commissioner
Andy Hoffe, Commissioner
Michael Isenberg, Commissioner
Jonathan London, Commissioner
Staff Present:
Recce Bertholf, City Manager
Jeff Alger, Community Development Specialist
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks and Recreation
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Item 3
Motion was made by Commissioner London, seconded by Commissioner
Isenberg, to approve the minutes of December 11, 2023. All present voted in
favor. Motion carried.
APPOINTMENT OF
OFFICERS
Item 4
President Hemken introduced for discussion EDA Item 4, Resolution appointing
officers to the Economic Development Authority for the City of New Hope.
Mr. Reece Bertholf, city manager, stated the EDA’s bylaws require the annual
appointment of officers. He stated the resolution appoints Kathi Hemken as
president, John Elder as vice president and treasurer, Reece Bertholf as secretary,
assistant treasurer, and executive director, and Valerie Leone as Clerk.
RESOLUTION 2024‐01
Item 4
Commissioner Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption “RESOLUTION APPOINTING OFFICERS TO THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF NEW HOPE.” The motion
for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Commissioner
Hoffe, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the
same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None; whereupon the resolution was
declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the president which was attested to
by the executive director.
5802 BOONE AVE N
(IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1088)
President Hemken introduced for discussion EDA Item 5, Resolution approving
extension of deadline for closing on sale of property to Great Buy Homes, Inc. at
5802 Boone Avenue North (improvement project no. 1088).
EDA Meeting
Page 2 January 8, 2024
Item 5 Mr. Jeff Alger, community development assistant, explained the EDA approved
the sale of the scattered site lot at 5802 Boone Avenue North last August. He
reported the deadline for closing on the sale of the lot was December 26, 2023. The
builder has asked that the deadline be extended to April 1, 2024. Mr. Alger stated
the only financial impact to the EDA is an estimated amount of $260 in property
taxes. He stated staff recommends extending the deadline as requested by Great
Buy Homes and to require them to be responsible for attorney fees related to
amending the development agreement.
Commssioner Elder expressed disappointment that a representative of Great Buy
Homes was not present. He recommended postponing action to a future meeting.
Commissioner London recommended denying the request and canceling the sale
and directing staff to seek other developers and to optimize the property.
Ms. Stacy Woods, city attorney, pointed out the EDA would need to take action to
cancel the purchase agreement with Great Buy Homes.
MOTION
Item 5
Motion was made by Commissioner Elder, seconded by Commissioner Hoffe, to
postpone action to January 22, 2024, to allow further discussion at the January
16, 2024, work session. Voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg;
and the following voted against the same: London; Abstained: None; Absent:
None. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Commissioner Isenberg, seconded by Commissioner Elder,
to adjourn the meeting. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The New Hope
EDA adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk