03 25 24 EDA MinutesEDA Meeting
Page 1 March 25, 2024
City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
EDA Minutes March 25, 2024
Regular Meeting City Hall
CALL TO ORDER President Hemken called the meeting of the Economic Development Authority to
order at 8:14 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present:
Absent:
Kathi Hemken, President
John Elder, Commissioner (via WebEx)
Andy Hoffe, Commissioner
Michael Isenberg, Commissioner
Jonathan London, Commissioner
Staff Present:
Recce Bertholf, City Manager
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
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 Isenberg, seconded by Commissioner Elder,
to approve the minutes of January 22, 2024. All present voted in favor. Motion
carried.
7300 42nd AVENUE
NORTH
Item 4
President Hemken introduced for discussion EDA Item 4, Resolution approving
the release of declaration of restrictive covenants – 7300 42nd Avenue North.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, explained in 1985 the city
established TIF District 85‐2 to focus on the redevelopment of properties near
Winnetka and 42nd avenues. He stated on June 27, 1996, Gill Brothers Funeral
Chapels entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with the EDA to construct the
funeral chapel which is currently located at 7300 42nd Avenue. Because the
property was in an active TIF district, the EDA required a declaration of restrictive
covenants on the property to ensure that the proper amount of taxes would be
generated. One of the covenants stated that the property could not be sold to a
non‐profit entity. He explained the TIF district expired in 2012 and although the
restrictive covenants are no longer warranted, they are not scheduled to expire
until June 1, 2026. The city receives approximately $8,000 per year in tax revenue.
The property at 7300 42nd Avenue North is now for sale.
Mr. Sargent explained that the Somali Community Resettlement Services (SCRS)
group has asked the city to release the restrictive covenants to allow them to
purchase the property at 7300 42nd Avenue North. He stated the SCRS provides
services to refugees and immigrants resettling into Minnesota.
EDA Meeting
Page 2 March 25, 2024
Mr. Sargent stated the Council considered the request at its work session of March
18, 2024, and directed staff to place the item on the EDA agenda.
Commissioner Isenberg pointed out the value provided by SCRS to the
community.
Mr. Abdullah Hared, executive director of Somali Community Resettlement
Services, was recognized. He stated the organization intends to change its name
to better reflect the population it serves. He stated over the last two years, in
addition to serving the Somali population, SCRS assists immigrants from Ukraine,
Afghanistan, and Latin America.
The EDA welcomed the organization to the city.
RESOLUTION 2024‐03
Item 4
Commissioner Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption “RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RELEASE OF DECLARATION
OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS – 7300 42ND AVENUE NORTH.” 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; and the following voted against the same: None;
Abstained: None; Absent: London; whereupon the resolution was declared duly
passed and adopted, signed by the president which was attested to by the
executive director.
ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Commissioner Isenberg, seconded by Commissioner Hoffe,
to adjourn the meeting. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The New Hope
EDA adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk