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MINUTES New Brighton Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting — November 6, 2008 7:00 a.m. Members/Liaisons Present: Bob Benke, Dennis Flahave, Linda Harmon, Cynthia Lesher, Mark Nelson, and Jim Sculthorp. Members/Liaisons Absent: Mary Burg and Tim Roche. Staff Present: Dean Lotter, City Manager; David Black, Assistant Community Development Director; and Jennifer Lavandowska, Office Support. Call to Order Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the October 7, 2008 meeting were presented for approval. All approved. Northwest Quadrant Report West Side Black reported that the Council authorized Colliers International to complete a new market study for the Northwest Quadrant. It is anticipated that the study will begin next week and be completed by January 12'h. The study will look at the current market demand for housing (owner -occupied and rental) and commercial/retail. Senior housing was not authorized by the Council. Benke inquired why senior housing was not included. Black replied that the Council decided not to include senior housing after a discussion with the Task Force. Harmon indicated that she always thought there would a senior housing component within the development as a way to free up housing stock within the City. Black replied that previous housing proposals were not age -restricted, and the Council could expand the new market study at a later date to include senior housing if desired. Benke asked staff to clarify the affordable housing issue, since the last Comprehensive Plan shows that the City meets or exceeds the goals for affordable housing. Black replied that the Metropolitan Council's grant agreement for the dump cleanup includes a stipulation that requires affordable housing to be built within the redevelopment area. The 1999 Comprehensive Plan does show that the City has met its affordable housing standards, but this requirement is placed in all Metropolitan Council grant awards. The City Council decided not to sign the grant agreement and at the same time the Metropolitan Council rescinded the grant until after the market study is complete. Benke asked whether affordable housing meant Section 8 housing. Black replied that affordable housing does not mean Section 8 housing, where a renter pays only a portion of his/her income for rent, with the remainder paid by the government. Affordable housing can be accomplished in several ways; for example the Rottlund proposal included affordable units that started at $180,000 and were not Section 8. The Task Force met last Monday and mainly discussed the market study. They will suspend meetings until the study is complete.