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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 02-28-2019APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY February 28, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Michelle Soderberg, Commissioners Robert Huddleston, and Matthew Plec ABSENT: Commissioners Jeff Kulaszewicz and Marty McCarthy STAFF PRESENT: HRA Manager Jim Barnes, Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini, and Office Support Representative Tina Beckfeld 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Soderberg called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. HRA Manager Jim Barnes replaced Resolution 2019-02 for Item #4A with a revised version. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes for January 24, 2019. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Reports. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept Monthly Housing/Marketing Reports. MOTION by Commissioner Plec, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 3. PUBLIC HEARING A. Community Development Block Grant. Consider 2019 Action Plan. HRA Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Chair Soderberg asked if the rehabilitation loan program has had a higher level of interest recently or does it vary from year to year. HRA Manager Barnes answered the HRA rehabilitation loans are market driven. Housing prices seem to be the biggest obstacle for first time homebuyers at this point. Chair Soderberg opened the public forum. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority February 28, 2019 Page 2 Five organizations were present: Christa Trapp representing Tree House; Jon Burkhow representing Senior Community Services (SCS); Erik Haugue, representing Home Line; Cathy Thoma representing Hammer Residencies Inc.; and LaDonna Hoy representing Interfaith Outreach. Each representative gave a brief overview of what services their agency provides, noting their impact for Plymouth residents, and thanked the HRA for their continued support. Chair Soderberg asked Christa Trapp, representing Tree House, where their participants are referred from. Ms. Trapp replied schools, counselors, and law enforcement refer clients to the program. Word of mouth from participants also reaches other potential clients. Commissioner Huddleston asked Cathy Thoma, representing Hammer Residencies Inc., what impact Hammer Residences has on Plymouth. Ms. Thoma stated there are 18 Hammer group homes and apartments in Plymouth helping 73 individuals. Fifteen of those being group homes where the renovations have taken place. Three of those homes with 14 individuals are being assisted by the funding this year. Chair Soderberg closed the public forum. MOTION by Commissioner Plec, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to adopt HRA Resolution 2019-01 providing a recommendation to the City Council for adoption of its 2019 CDBG program funding. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Beacon Interfaith. Consider request for additional funding for Cranberry Ridge. HRA Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Chair Soderberg asked what impact four additional points would have on the Cranberry Ridge application. HRA Manager Barnes stated each application can earn up to 100 points, with 80 points typically being the threshold. The threshold varies from year to year based on competing projects, and every point matters. Chair Soderberg asked LaDonna Hoy, representing Interfaith Outreach and Beacon, to speak about their new program Great Expectations. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority February 28, 2019 Page 3 Ms. Hoy stated Great Expectations is an outcome-driven initiative that coordinates the efforts of the Wayzata and Orono school districts with the goodwill and resources of our community so that every single child has the cradle-to-career support needed to succeed in school, community and life. A great education is the path out of poverty. An estimated 500 preschool and 1,600 school-age kids aren't meeting critical educational benchmarks that predict their success in school and in life. Chair Soderberg asked if the HRA has supported other projects as requested by Beacon Interfaith for Cranberry Ridge. HRA Manager Barnes replied affirmatively - the West View Estates project Commissioner Plec stated supporting Cranberry Ridge would be a good use of funds. Commissioner Huddleston asked if Minnesota Housing does not fund the project would Cranberry Ridge still be an active project. HRA Manager Barnes said that would be up to Beacon Interfaith. Chair Soderberg asked if applications were only reviewed once a year. HRA Manager Barnes answered yes. Mr. Chris Dettling, representing Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, stated last year’s application did not score high enough to move forward in 2018 but they are optimistic that their score will improve in 2019 with support from the City. MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Chair Soderberg, to adopt HRA Resolution 2019-2, as revised to provide $250,000 to offset a portion of the city fees for the Cranberry Ridge Project. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. MOTION by Commissioner Plec, seconded by Commissioner Plec, to request the City Council consider using funds from the Tax Increment Financing district 7-7 to provide a loan to the project in the amount of $527,000. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. B. Election of Officers. Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary. MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Commission Plec nominating Chair Soderberg as HRA Chair. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Chair Soderberg to repeal the first motion and to table the election of officers to the next meeting. Vote. 3 Ayes. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority February 28, 2019 Page 4 MOTION approved unanimously. 5. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Soderberg, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m.