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BOARD/COMMISSION:  Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority

(MHEFA)

Address

860 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 145
Eagan, MN
55121

Web Site

Supporting Entity/Enabling Legislation Supported by Authority

ENABLING LEGISLATION
M.S. 136A.26.
Enabled: 06-07-1971
Revisor of Statutes Link

Chair and Contact
CONTACT
Barry Fick
(651) 296-4690
CHAIR
David Rowland
(612) 743-8755
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
Executive Director
Barry Fick
bwf@mnhefa.org
(651) 296-4690
Yes
Operations Manager
Amanda Lee
agl@mnhefa.org
(651) 296-4690
No
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
Chair
David Rowland
ddrowland@comcast.net
(612) 743-8755
Yes
Membership
The 10 members include eight who are appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. At least two members must reside outside the metropolitan area, at least one of the members shall be a person having a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge, and experience in the field of state and municipal finance; and at least one shall be a person having a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge, and experience in the building construction field; and at least one of the members shall be a trustee, director, officer, or employee of an institution of higher education. A designee of the Office of Higher Education is an ex-officio member and the president or designee of the Minnesota Private College Council is an ex-officio, non-voting member.
Member Info

COMPENSATION

  • Per Diem: $55.00
  • Other Compensation: $55 per diem

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

  • Requires Older Member - no
  • Requires Senate Approval - yes
  • Members file campaign finance and disclosure - yes
Entity Powers and Duties, Activity Summary
The purpose of the authority shall be to assist eligible institutions of higher education in the construction, financing and refinancing of projects. The exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by Minnesota Statutes sections 136A.25 to 136A.42 shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential public function. For the purpose of sections 136.25 to 136.42, the authority shall have the powers and duties set forth in Subd. 2 to 23. The MN Higher Education Facilities Authority receives no state appropriations, and is fully funded by revenue generated through fees assessed to the colleges and universities it serves. The debt issued by the Authority is not backed, guaranteed or supported in any form by the State of Minnesota. The Authority receives no tax revenue, state grants or any financial support from the State of Minnesota.

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

The purpose of the authority is to assist not-for-profit institutions of higher education in financing or refinancing capital building projects. Institutions may apply for financing or re-financing through the authority. It is the authority board's responsibility to consider the legality and appropriateness of the financings that are proposed to be completed through the authority. The board is assisted in their decision making process by the staff of the authority, financial consultants, bond counsel and the attorney general's office.
Meeting Information
Meetings typically last: Generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2:00 pm Central time. Meetings typically last for less than 2 hours.
Meeting Frequency: Regular meetings are held monthly as needed. Special or emergency meetings may be held in accord with Minnesota Statutory requirements. Notice for all Board meetings are announced on the Authority website and through other appropriate communications.

Meetings are held at:
Meetings are held at the lower-level Conference/Board room located in the building housing office of the Authority offices, 860 Blue Gentian Road, Eagan, MN 55121 or on the campus of a Minnesota higher education institution. Members may also participate by telephone or video link if unable to attend a meeting in person. Meetings are open to the public and reasonable accommodations for access can be made upon request.


Fiscal Information
Annual Staff Hours: 4160.00
Total Appropriations: $0.00
Appropriations Description: The MN Higher Education Facilities Authority receives no state appropriations.
Fiscal Year Expenses: $450,000.00

Expenses Description:

Open Positions (0)
No Open Positions
NAME POSITION APPLICATION DATE
Erich Heppner Members (At Least 2 of Whom Reside Outside the Metro Area) 11/20/2024
David Rowland Members (At Least 2 of Whom Reside Outside the Metro Area) 11/5/2024
AGENCY
POSITION
SEAT
NAME
TERM START
TERM END
Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority
Members (At Least 2 of Whom Reside Outside the Metro Area)
Member (with Experience in Municipal Finance)
David Rowland
4/9/2025
01/01/2029
Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority
Members (At Least 2 of Whom Reside Outside the Metro Area)
Member (Higher Education Affiliation)
Erich Heppner
4/9/2025
01/01/2029
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
ACTION
Direct Appointments
Ex-officio, Pres. Mn Private College Council
MN Private College Council
Paul Cerkvenik
Filled
07/10/2028
Current Members (8)
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
Members (At Least 2 of Whom Reside Outside the Metro Area)
Member
Governor
Ms. Bonnie Anderson Rons
Filled
01/04/2027
Member
Governor
Mikeya Griffin
Filled
01/05/2026
Member
Governor
Nancy Sampair
Filled
01/05/2026
Member (Higher Education Affiliation)
Governor
Mary Thao
Past Term End
01/06/2025
Member (Non-Metro + Higher Education Affiliation)
Governor
Mary Ives
Filled
01/03/2028
Member (Non-Metro)
Governor
Kennneth Westphal
Filled
01/03/2028
Member (with Building Construction Field Expertise)
Governor
Gary Benson
Filled
01/04/2027
Member (with Experience in Municipal Finance)
Governor
David Rowland
Past Term End
01/06/2025
ALL BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

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