HRA Meeting Date: June 30, 2025
To: Members of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
Rice County Neighbors United Cleanup Request on Behalf of Viking Terrace, Riverside and Northfield Estates.
Body
Action Requested:
HRA to reconsider the HRA role and support of a cleanup day at Viking Terrace, Riverside and Northfield Estates.
Summary Report:
The HRA established the Fall Cleanup for the mobile home park communities in response to complaints from Bridgewater Township and residents that live on Dresden Avenue about the illegal dumping of mattresses and trash. The HRA set up a pilot program and budgeted it for 4 years.
Below is a breakdown of the annual HRA financial support to the pilot program:
Year
Tons of Trash
Mattresses
Tires w/rims
Tons of Tires
Total HRA Cost
2018
11.57
29|1010|1.67
$5,859.12
2019
9.61
60
16
.5
$8,614.54
2020
14.32
59
70
1.9
$10,302.92
2021
9.63
40
13
.88
$8,540.06
Total HRA *FINANCIAL contribution: $33,316.64
*HRA and City Staff also put a considerable amount of time into the organization of the Fall Cleanup:
* Scheduling and coordinating with the refuse company
* Coordinating Volunteers before the event
* Marketing
* Coordinating Volunteers during the event
o Direct traffic
o Track use/visitors
* Street Department Coordination - cones, road barriers, etc.
* Morning coffee and snacks for volunteers
The last 2 years of cleanup were exceptionally challenging to recruit volunteers, made more difficult due to Covid restrictions for college students at the time. After the local owners of Viking Terrace sold the park to a national investor, the HRA board took the position that the property owner should be taking on the expense of cleanup and felt that the management should be providing this service to their residents.
Neighbors United is requesting that the HRA resurrect the free cleanup day and have identified other organizations (Rotary, Northfield Union of Youth, St. Olaf College...
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