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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 01-23-2020APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY January 23, 2020 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Michelle Soderberg, Commissioners Robert Huddleston, Matthew Plec, and Aqueelah Whitfield ABSENT: Commissioner Jeff Kulaszewicz STAFF PRESENT: HRA Manager Jim Barnes, Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini, and Permit Technician Michelle Rumrey OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Jim Davis 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Soderberg called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. PUBLIC FORUM Chair Soderberg opened and closed the Public Forum, as there was no one present to speak. 3. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Plec, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve the Agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 4. CONSENT AGENDA 4A. Approve proposed November 21, 2019 minutes. 4B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept monthly housing reports. 4C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing Reports. MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Commissioner Plec, to approve the Consent Agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 5. NEW BUSINESS 5A. Emergency Repair Program. Consider increase in maximum assistance. Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini gave an overview of the staff report. Council Member Davis requested clarification of the difference between $30,000 and $7,500. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority January 23, 2020 Page 2 Community Development Coordinator Lupini explained the larger amount is for a loan, which is available when more work is necessary. The smaller amount of $7,500 is for a one-time grant, which is not required to be paid back when the needed repair is less extensive. MOTION by Commissioner Plec, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve the proposed changes to the Emergency Repair Program. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 5B. Home Rehabilitation and First Time Homebuyer Programs. Consider procedural guideline changes. Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Plec asked if the reason for the change related to ages 55 plus was because people in this age group may have more assets but also may be more cash strapped. Community Development Coordinator Lupini responded the six cases where a waiver was sought the applicants were 55 years of age and older. Also, their house was paid off and their primary source of income was Social Security. Chair Soderberg inquired if staff looked externally for examples or if this change was prompted by what has directly affected Plymouth. HRA Manager Barnes said we looked at what was affecting Plymouth. He added when reviewing the approved waivers they were all similar. Council Member Davis said it is good practice to not issue a waiver to every applicant. Commissioner Huddleston asked if the HRA is responsible for all changes. HRA Manager Barnes replied yes. MOTION by Commissioner Plec, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve the proposed changes to the Housing Rehabilitation and First Time Homebuyer Procedural Guidelines. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 5C. HRA Strategic Plan. Approve contract with Bennett Community Consulting. HRA Manager Jim Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Plec asked if there will be additional meetings to discuss the HRA Strategic Plan outside of the monthly meeting. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority January 23, 2020 Page 3 HRA Manager Barnes replied most of the meetings with the consultant will be on the same date as the HRA monthly meetings. He added there will be at least one meeting with the City Council to keep them informed of where the HRA is headed with the Strategic Plan. Community Development Coordinator Lupini commented Ms. Bennett worked with St. Louis Park. Chairman Soderberg stated St. Louis Park has great programs with great initiatives for housing. HRA Manager Barnes said due to her knowledge and experience, Ms. Bennett will bring to us what other communities in the metro area are doing. She has also worked on the national level and will bring that knowledge and experience to us as well. Chairman Soderberg asked what span of time is anticipated. HRA Manager Barnes said the meetings are likely to occur over a four to five month time period. The intention is for Ms. Bennett to be at the March HRA meeting to discuss both the timeline and the process. Commissioner Huddleston asked if Ms. Bennett is easy to work with. HRA Manager Barnes replied affirmatively and added previous interactions with Ms. Bennett she has been thoughtful and attentive to what her clients are seeking. She does not push her own agenda. In addition, she oversees a lot for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and chairs many regional groups. MOTION by Commissioner Plec, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve the contract with Bennett Community Consulting. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 6. UPDATES HRA Manager Barnes provided an update to the Board on the following items.  CDBG Action Plan  Vicksburg Crossing windows  Interfaith Outreach and Wayzata School District  Outreach Development Corporation  Beacon  Four Seasons Mall  Element  Plymouth Towne Square  City Center revamping Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority January 23, 2020 Page 4  Newsletter publicity 7. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Soderberg, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m.