Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Story
Edina approves grants for new French creperie, parking improvements
5146 Eden Avenue (Old Public Works Site) Request for Proposal (RFP) Discussion
Legislative and Loan Updates
Votes (2)
Approval of Streamline Grant Agreement with Okrep LLC
Dissent: Commissioner Risser voiced concerns about the source and allocation process of Spark funds, indicating she would abstain or vote negative.
Moved by Commissioner Jackson [55:17] · Seconded by Commissioner Agu [55:17]
Economic Development Manager Bill Neindorf presented the background of the Spark program and the specifics of the $24,000 grant for Okrep LLC. The grant is intended to cover unexpected costs for ADA compliance and SAC/WAC fees incurred during the renovation of the former Caribou Coffee space. Owner Claire Cis shared her passion for her French crêperie business and the unforeseen challenges of renovating an older building to meet current codes. Commissioner Risser expressed general concerns about the use of TIF funds and lack of public hearings for individual allocations, while other Commissioners lauded the program's support for local businesses.
Approval of Streamline Grant Agreement with Arbor Sunnyside Properties LLC
Dissent: Commissioner Risser
Moved by Commissioner Agu [1:03:53] · Seconded by Commissioner Pierce [1:03:53]
Following the approval for Okrep LLC, the HRA considered a $20,000 grant for Arbor Sunnyside Properties LLC, the landlord. This grant is earmarked for the reconstruction of the rear parking lot, specifically to eliminate an 8-inch step, improving accessibility for all tenants in the building. Steve Young, the owner, confirmed the importance of addressing this barrier. The discussion reiterated previous concerns regarding TIF fund allocation, but commissioners acknowledged the direct benefit of the project to accessibility.
Notable Quotes (7)
The reason we selected $24,000 as the cap is that um uh based on State on on state subsidy laws any subsidy less than $25,000 is not considered a subsidy and you um essentially are exempt from years of reporting.
One of the things that is concerning to me is so many of the projects are outside of southeast Indina and we're really heavy in Northeast Nina and um you know just thinking about where those property tax revenues came from it would be good to see more investment in southeast IND moving forward.
That space was last remodeled prior to the adoption of the Ada and so um while there is a small ramp to get in the front door like the sidewalk slopes up it's very steep it's too narrow the jam doesn't comply the door doesn't comply the opener doesn't comply the windows don't comply all of a sudden you're looking at about a $20,000 fix and this was the inexpensive version.
Well I think part of it is because you know Caribou was there for so long um everything has changed since then um so we had to just do a lot of a lot more work than we thought we thought we could do a little cosmetic work and and open right away which was really what I wanted to do um but after meeting with the health inspector and the building inspector we realized that we had a lot more work to do than we thought uh and so our expenses just kept growing.
I am super excited about this I love Crips I love their from Britany um and this is why our retail districts are so vibrant we talk a lot about wanting to have these experiences with small local owners and having opportunities to um to enjoy ourselves and for them to thrive and so this I think is just such a wonderful program um to express that value that I hear a lot from people in our community.
It's reconstruction of that rear parking lot and again the contract is clear that it doesn't say repaving it says reconstruction because we want to get rid of that step uh the cost of that work um uh is around $40,000.
When Bill told me about this unique opportunity to fix the problem uh for all the businesses then I started looking into it and figured out a way to make it work.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
City program offering grants and loans for business growth, derived from state legislation during the COVID era.
Special legislation approved statewide to support business growth, investment, and job creation, which enabled the creation of the Spark program.
Funding mechanism from which Spark program monies were derived.
Laws that define when a subsidy is triggered, impacting reporting requirements for grants over $25,000.
Document being prepared to solicit developers for the 5146 Eden Avenue site.
Policy framework that will apply to development proposals for the 5146 Eden Avenue site.
Policies that will apply to development proposals for the 5146 Eden Avenue site.
Comprehensive plan that will guide development at 5146 Eden Avenue.
Regulations that will apply to development at 5146 Eden Avenue.
Planned Unit Development rezonings, a process that may be used for the 5146 Eden Avenue site.
City policy, written in 2011, currently undergoing an update process.