The Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority met on Tuesday, April 29, at Valley Technology Park.
Theresa Tahran touched on a couple of topics in her Housing Report. Due to a rain delay, Pierce Lee could not be onsite Monday at Oak Court to finish up the remaining items on the punch list for the roofing project, but will be back on the job this week. Tahran also mentioned that paperwork has been submitted for the HUD Emergency Safety and Security Grant to HUD, the MN Housing POHP RFP, and the RFP for Bring It Home Vouchers.
Tahran updated the board on the Workforce Housing – 412 Eickhof Blvd. Barry Bingham and his crew are bringing in electricians and plumbers this week. The roof, windows, and soffits have been installed, and siding and fascia installation will begin next week. The board approved accepting a down payment of $50,000 on an offer for the home of $455,000.
Karie Kirschbaum gave a quick update on the rodeo plans. The EDA team is working with Crookston Park and Rec and community members to host the Wojo’s Rodeo on September 5 and 6 outside the Crookston Sports Center. The rodeo event steering committee meets every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Valley Tech Park. Anyone interested in participating in the planning process is welcome to attend.
The main agenda began with the board confirming the resignation of Board President Tim Menard. “Our favorite council member, board member for our EDA Board and housing, Tim, has put in his resignation,” says Kirschbaum. “He will tell you he survived a stroke and he’s in great shape, but that he just really needs to take care of his health.” Kirschbaum says Menard will be missed. “We love him, we appreciate his time, his mentorship, his constant joy that he brought to the room, and so, we are going to miss him.”
The Mayor will have to fill the spot with another council member. “It is the responsibility of Mayor Stainbrook to fill the spot,” says Kirschbaum. “It will be another council member as we have to have two council members on our board at all times.”
Josh Knaack will serve as interim president until Mayor Stainbrook appoints a council member to the board and the board votes on who will be President.
Also on the main agenda was a Recommendation to the City Council regarding reimbursement from city bonds to CHEDA for engineering fees for the Industrial Park. “That would just be for CHEDA to be able to request reimbursement for any engineering studies that they have done, though any subsequent bonding that has been done in that area,” says board member Morgan Hibma. “So, if there was an engineering study that was done that was listed in here, like out at the Industrial Park, if there was any subsequent bonding that the city may receive for that, they request to be reimbursed by that, since CHEDA was the one who paid for that engineering study.” The board approved of the recommendation.
Hibma explained the agenda item Clarification of Organization Structure of the Housing Director and HRA was about. “That is something I think we should have done a long time ago just to get a better understanding of the structure of the Crookston Housing and Economic Development, CHEDA, of how the structure within, with job positions and how it relates between the Community Development Director and the position that was created back in 2023, I believe, for the Housing Director,” says Hibma. “Who does each person report to, what is the structure there, and I think it’s just important to get clarification for those positions.” The board agreed that the discussion needs to happen for further clarification and tabled this topic for discussion at a future meeting.
The next CHEDA meeting is on Tuesday, May 27, at 7:00 a.m. at Valley Tech Park.
