HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/09/2026 EDAC Packet
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AGENDA
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Broadcast on Cable TV Channel 16
and northmetrotv.com/lino-lakes-stream
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING, 8:00 A.M.
Community Room (not televised)
1.Call to Order and Roll Call
2.Approval of Minutes: June 4, 2026
3.Discussion Items
A.Housing Maintenance Assistance Program
B.Project Updates
ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF LINO LAKES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DATE:June 4, 2026
TIME STARTED:8:00 a.m.
TIME ENDED:8:55 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:Blakely LaCroix, Patrick Kohler, Nathan Vojtech,
Chad Wagner, Sam Bennett, Barbara White, Mark
Pfeil, Suzy Guthmueller, Andrew Cravero
MEMBERS ABSENT:None
STAFF PRESENT:Michael Grochala, Jessica Eller, Marissa Ertel
1.CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Vojtech called the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to order at
8:00 a.m. on June 4, 2026.
2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Kohler made a motion to approve the May 7, 2026 meeting minutes. Motion was
supported by Mr. LaCroix. Motion carried 9 – 0.
3.DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.Draft 5-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan
As part of the City’s economic development efforts, the Economic Development Advisory
Committee (EDAC) is responsible for the preparation of a five-year Economic
Development Strategic Plan. The plan was last updated in 2021.
Mr. Grochala spoke on the six priorities for the strategic economic development plan.
Mr. Wagner stated that putting in a Lino Lakes sign in the I-35E/Main Street Corridor
would be beneficial.
Mr. Vojtech wanted to know how soon we needed to establish the housing maintenance
assistance program. Mr. Grochala stated we would need to get that prepared by early fall.
DRAFT MINUTES
Economic Development Advisory Committee
June 4, 2026
Page 2
Mr. Kohler asked if the land owned by the County would realistically be included in
priority one. Mr. Grochala stated that working with the County regarding those parcels
would be a priority.
Mr. Wagner wanted to know if there was a potential to raise the amount of money that
could be part of the housing maintenance fund to get more projects done.
Mr. Vojtech motioned to bring the draft 5-year economic development strategic plan to
City Council. Motion was seconded by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 10 – 0.
B.Project Updates
Mr. Grochala provided project updates to the committee.
4.ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Vojtech made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 a.m. Motioned seconded by
Mr. Cravero. Motion was carried 10 – 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Marissa Ertel, Community Development Administrative Assistant
DRAFT MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM 3A
STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jessica Eller, Community Development Specialist
MEETING DATE: July 9, 2026
TOPIC:Housing Maintenance Assistance Program
BACKGROUND
In March 2023, the Economic Development Advisory Committee discussed the creation of a
housing maintenance assistance program utilizing available housing funds and directed staff to
evaluate programs offered by neighboring communities. Staff determined that a City program
should focus on encouraging exterior property improvements that enhance curb appeal,
preserve property values, and complement existing county housing rehabilitation programs.
The establishment of a Housing Maintenance Assistance Program was subsequently identified
as a priority within the Economic Development Advisory Committee's strategic plan to
encourage reinvestment in the City's existing housing stock and preserve neighborhood
character.
Since that discussion, staff has continued to evaluate community housing needs and has
developed two complementary grant programs for the Committee's consideration.
1.Home Improvement Program
The proposed Home Improvement Program is intended to preserve the City's existing
affordable owner-occupied housing stock by encouraging investment in aging homes through
reimbursement grants for exterior and essential home system improvements that enhance curb
appeal, promote health and safety, and extend the useful life of residential properties.
The proposed program would be limited to owner-occupied homes. Household income must
not exceed 80 percent of the greater of State or Area Median Income (AMI), as determined by
the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in accordance with
LAHA program requirements. Affordability limits are established annually based on area
median income. For 2026, eligible properties would have an estimated market value of
$319,900 or less and must be at least 30 years old. These eligibility requirements are intended
to target investment in the City’s affordable and aging housing stock.
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The following table is provided for reference and illustrates estimated affordable home
purchase price and maximum monthly housing cost by income level (based on 2026 estimates
for households of 1–4 persons):
The proposed program would reimburse 20% of eligible material costs, with a maximum grant
award of $6,000 per property. Labor and equipment costs would not be eligible for
reimbursement.
Eligible improvements would include:
Roof
Siding
Windows
Entry door
Garage door
Septic system replacement or repair
Connection to municipal water and sanitary sewer infrastructure
The Home Improvement Program will be funded through the City’s Local Affordable Housing
Aid (LAHA) allocation. Established by the 2023 Minnesota Legislature, LAHA provides funding
to metropolitan communities to support the development and preservation of affordable
housing. Annual funding levels would be established by the Economic Development Authority.
2.Multi-Family Affordability Improvement Grant Program
Staff is also proposing the creation of a Multi-Family Affordability Improvement Grant Program
to encourage reinvestment in existing affordable rental housing.
The proposed program would provide reimbursement grants of up to 50% of eligible project
material costs, with a maximum grant award of $50,000 per property. Labor and equipment
costs would not be eligible for reimbursement.
Eligible improvements would focus on exterior architectural enhancements, landscaping
improvements, and life-safety improvements that enhance the appearance of the property and
the well-being of its residents.
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Eligible improvements may include:
Landscaping
Exterior architectural enhancements
Code-related safety improvements
To be eligible for funding, applicants would be required to meet the following criteria:
At least 50% of the dwelling units must be affordable to households earning at or below
60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Property owners would be required to enter into and record an affordability covenant
with the City to ensure the property remains affordable for a minimum of five to ten
years following the grant award. The recorded affordability covenant would remain
with the property in the event of a change in ownership during the covenant period.
The following table is provided for reference and illustrates 2026 Affordable Rent Limits by unit
size and Area Median Income (AMI) level:
Funding for the program would be provided through a Local Housing Incentive Account (LHIA)
grant awarded to the City by the Metropolitan Council in 2004. The funds were disbursed as a
loan to the Lakewood Apartment project in 2005. Upon repayment, the funds became
available to support the preservation, rehabilitation, and expansion of affordable housing
opportunities within the community.
The program is intended to preserve existing affordable rental housing while improving the
quality, appearance, safety, and long-term viability of multi-family developments throughout
the community.
If the Committee supports the proposed program concepts, staff will prepare the final program
terms and conditions, application materials, grant agreements, and administrative procedures.
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EDAC CONSIDERATION
Staff is requesting direction from the Committee on the proposed program criteria and eligibility
requirements.
ATTACHMENTS
None
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