The Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) board met on Tuesday inside Valley Technology Park. The meeting began with the election of officers for 2022. The following individuals will serve on the CHEDA Board in 2022.
- President: Dylane Klatt
- Vice President: Kristie Jerde
- Treasurer: Don Cavalier
- Secretary: Theresa Tahran
- Assistant Treasurer: Ryan Lindtwed
Dylane Klatt said he’s excited to start his role of CHEDA President in 2022. “I just want to continue doing the right thing for the community and help any businesses that we can,” said Klatt. “We’re here to help businesses through loans and things, so hopefully, we can continue doing some of that.”
CONSENT AGENDA
The meeting then continued with the approval of the Consent Agenda, and all items were approved unanimously. The items on the Consent Agenda were as follows.
- EDA Financials
- Crookston Jobs Loan Status and Financials
- Community Investment Financials
- B3 Grants and Financials
- Prairie Skyline Project
- Epitome Energy Financials
- Crookston Jobs Revolving Loan Fund
- Revolving Loan Status and Financials
- Oak Court Public Housing Financials
- Housing Choice Voucher Financials
- Workforce Housing Financials
- Rehab Housing Loan Status and Financials
- CHEDA Bills Payable
- Valley Technology Park Financials
- Valley Technology Park Building Occupancy
- Valley Technology Park Expanded Business Incubation
OLD BUSINESS
The board then heard an update on the POHP Plumbing Project. The project is complete, and the paperwork just needs to be finalized.
The board also heard an update on the 1603 Hoven Lane Project from Theresa Tahran, but no new updates were provided. The completion date is still expected for some time in March.
One of the more prominent talking points of the meeting was considering an extension on the loan agreement with Epitome Energy. CHEDA Executive Director Robert Barnes said the board was happy to grant the extension now that their requirements have been met. “The loan that CHEDA extended to Epitome Energy officially expired this past November,” said Barnes. “They asked for another extension, and part of the agreement with the extension was that they provide some collateral, and they agreed and now have a life insurance policy for the life of the loan. Because of those factors, the board approved the extension of the loan.”
With the board’s approval, the loan is extended until September 30, 2022.
Barnes also gave an update on the POHP 2020 roofing project. Barnes recommended the hiring of Michael J. Burns to complete the project. This is due to the timeline laid out by Burns, and Barnes also noted Burns has been easy to work with. The board approved the request unanimously.
MAIN AGENDA
The main agenda began with consideration for the Subordination of the Fournet building. Barnes explained the action the board took. “The building owner Jeff Evers has the opportunity to mitigate some costs by taking advantage of different financing,” said Barnes. “This affects CHEDA because we have two different loans with him. As we are in line with the banks and city, we had to agree to subordinate our loan to the new financial institution, and that’s what the board did today.”
The last item on the Main Agenda was considering a request from Kay Hegge of the Prairie Skyline Project. Hegge gave a presentation discussing what has been completed with the project and what still needs work. Two roof leaks have been repaired and fixed, but more work needs to be done on the steeples. Hegge was asking if CHEDA would consider forgiving the $41,000 initial loan agreement so that the money could match another grant from the state and help tackle any future projects on the building. The board voted not to forgive the loan and, according to Barnes, will consider giving another loan to the project once the $41,000 has been paid back. “The board wants to do one project at a time,” said Barnes. “They want to clean up and end the current arrangement with Skyline, and then when new opportunities present themselves, they will make the determination to participate based on the merits of the new opportunities, and they can take each grant and each step one part at a time.”
The next CHEDA meeting will be on March 15, inside Valley Technology Park.
