IV.8. Resolution Authorizing Applications for the Livable Communities Grant Agreement; Needham
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2026-041
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Revée Needham, Community Development Manager
Date: April 7, 2026
Subject: Resolution of Support for Applications to the Livable Communities Grant
Program
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO approve Resolution 2026-014 supporting applications to the Livable
Communities Grant Program.
OVERVIEW
To apply to the Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities grant program, the City
Council needs to approve a resolution of support.
Livable Communities Grant Program
The Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities grant program advance the Imagine
2050 goals for our region to be equitable and inclusive, our communities to be healthy
and safe, and our region to be dynamic and resilient by funding projects that
• Expand housing choices
• Improve safety
• Ensure everyone can meet their needs in their community.
There are multiple projects that the Livable Communities program funds, including
development projects, which build new, rehabilitate, or preserve affordable housing
(rental and ownership) and community-driven commercial spaces. Development grants
support projects at all stages of development including:
• Pre-development
• Acquisition
• Environmental site investigation and cleanup
• Site preparation
• Construction or rehabilitation
There is no local match required. A resolution of support is required to submit an
application. Developers cannot apply directly to the Metropolitan Council for funding; the
City must apply on behalf of developers. The Metropolitan Council awards grant funds
to cities, who then administer the funds to the subrecipient.
Planning & Economic
Development
City of Hopkins Applications
Kaleidoscope LLC has proposed a development project on City-owned property at 102
10th Ave N (Parking Lot 800). The grant would be used for eligible pre-development
costs, such as site planning, project design, environmental sustainability planning, etc. If
the grant were awarded to the City of Hopkins, the City would enter into a subrecipient
grant agreement with Kaleidoscope. Supporting the application to the grant program
does not commit the City to grant land use approvals nor to sell the property.
EvRon Properties has purchased 901 Mainstreet, formerly Blake Antiques. The property
owner proposes rehabilitation of the building, which includes some environmental
cleanup costs. The grant would be used to pay for asbethos abatement. If the grant
were awarded to the City of Hopkins, the City would enter into a subrecipient grant
agreement with EvRon Properties. Supporting the application to the TOD grant program
does not commit the City to grant land use approvals.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Resolution 2026-014
• Hyperlink to Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Development Projects
Webpage
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2026-014
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATIONS FOR THE LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins is a participant in the Livable Communities Act’s Local
Housing Incentives Account Program for 2026 as determined by the Metropolitan
Council, and is eligible to make an application and apply for funds under the Livable
Communities program guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the City has identified a project(s) within the City that meets the Livable
Communities program purposes and criteria and is consistent with and promotes the
purposes of the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act and the policies of the
Metropolitan Council’s adopted metropolitan development guide; and
WHEREAS, the City has the institutional, managerial and financial capability to ensure
adequate project and grant administration; and,
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
as stated in the contract grant agreements; and,
WHEREAS, City finds that the project(s) will not occur through private or other public
investment within the reasonably foreseeable future without Livable Communities grant
funding; and,
WHEREAS, the City represents that it has undertaken reasonable and good faith efforts
to procure funding for the activities for which Livable Communities funding is sought but
was not able to find or secure from other sources funding that is necessary for project(s)
completion and states that this representation is based on the following reasons and
supporting facts:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
after appropriate examination and due consideration, hereby:
1. Authorizes its City Manager or designee to submit on behalf of the City and
Kaleidoscope LLC an application for Metropolitan Council Livable
Communities Demonstration Account grant funds and if the City is awarded a
Livable Communities grant for this project, the City will be the grantee and
agrees to act as a legal sponsor to administer and be responsible for grant
funds expended for the project contained in the grant application submitted on
or before April 15, 2026.
2. Authorizes its City Manager or designee to submit on behalf of the City and
EvRon Properties LLC an application for Metropolitan Council Livable
Communities Demonstration Account grant funds and if the City is awarded a
Livable Communities grant for this project, the City will be the grantee and
agrees to act as a legal sponsor to administer and be responsible for grant
funds expended for the project contained in the grant application submitted on
or before April 15, 2026.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 7th day of April, 2026.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk