Northfield Housing & Redevelopment Authority Meeting - October 2, 2025

The Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of Northfield, Minnesota, met on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 801 Washington Street. Chair Malecha called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM. Five members were present: Board Members Nystrom, Freeland, Sokup, and Vice Chair Beumer, along with Chair Malecha. Two members were absent: Board Members Thomas and Thorsteinson. Staff present included Housing Coordinator Melissa Hanson, City Administrator Ben Martig, and Administrative Associate Kari Bonde. Youth representatives Kay Swanson and Abby Kauffeld were also present. The meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion by Board Member Nystrom, seconded by Board Member Freeland, to approve the agenda. The motion carried with 5 yes votes (Nystrom, Freeland, Malecha, Sokup, Beumer).
• Approval of Minutes (September 22, 2025 Work Session): Motion by Nystrom, seconded by Beumer, to approve the minutes. The motion carried with 4 yes votes (Nystrom, Freeland, Malecha, Beumer). Board Member Sokup arrived at 6:02 PM, after the minutes were approved, and was recorded as "Not Present" for this vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• None.

Public Hearings

• Public Hearing on Sale of HRA Property at 2330 Elianna Drive: Chair Malecha opened the public hearing at 6:04 PM. Housing Coordinator Melissa Hanson noted that the hearing was to consider selling the HRA-owned property at 2330 Elianna Drive. No public testimony was reported. A motion by Board Member Freeland, seconded by Vice Chair Beumer, to close the public hearing carried with 5 yes votes.

Discussion Items

• HRA Resolution 2025-013 - Consideration of Sale of HRA Owned Property at 2330 Elianna Drive: Housing Coordinator Hanson introduced the resolution. A motion by Freeland, seconded by Beumer, to approve the resolution carried with 5 yes votes. The enactment number was recorded as HRA Res. 2025-014. Note: The agenda lists the resolution as 2025-013, while the minutes record the enactment as 2025-014.
• Staff Updates: Housing Coordinator Hanson reported that she attended the MN NAHRO conference the previous week, held conversations with Dakota County regarding housing and the impacts of funding cuts, and participated in the Metro-wide Cities Forum.
• Board Member Reports: Board Member Sokup announced an affordable housing event on October 9 at 7 PM at St. John's Church, featuring Representative Kristi Pursell and former Council Member George Zuccolotto. Note: The minutes refer to Davin Sokup as both "Chair" and "Board Member" inconsistently.

Key Outcomes

• All motions carried without opposition. The HRA approved the sale of the property at 2330 Elianna Drive and closed the associated public hearing. The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 PM following a motion by Vice Chair Beumer, seconded by Board Member Freeland, which carried with 5 yes votes.