HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 05-28-2020APPROVED MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
May 28, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Michelle Soderberg, Commissioners Robert Huddleston,
Aqueelah Whitfield (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), and Lucas Larson.
ABSENT: Commissioner Jeff Kulaszewicz
STAFF PRESENT: HRA Executive Director Steve Juetten, HRA Manager Jim Barnes,
Support Services Manager Denise Whalen, Community Development Coordinator Matt
Lupini, and Permit Technician Tina Beckfeld.
OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Jim Davis, and Andy Hughes, representative of
CommonBond
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 Huddleston, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to approve the
Agenda. Roll Call Vote. 3 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Huddleston, and Larson).
MOTION passed unanimously.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
4A. Approve proposed March 26, 2020 and May 7, 2020 minutes.
4B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept monthly housing reports.
4C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing Reports.
4D. Approve Covid-19 statutory and regulatory waivers for the Housing Choice
Voucher Program
MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to approve the
Consent Agenda. Roll Call Vote. 3 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Huddleston and
Larson). MOTION passed unanimously.
Approved Minutes
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
May 28, 2020
Page 2
5. NEW BUSINESS
5A. Strategic Plan Process. Overview by Cathy Bennett
Cathy Bennett, President/CEO/Owner of Bennett Community Consulting, gave her background
and credentials. She gave an overview of the Power Point presentation of the HRA Strategic
Planning process.
Chair Soderberg asked if the timeline would be shifting a month because May is almost over.
Ms. Bennett stated the start date could be after the surveys are returned or surveys can be sent out
in June and keep the same schedule.
Chair Soderberg inquired about the timing of the joint meetings with the City Council.
HRA Manager Barnes stated there are two; one in July 2020 (development discussion) and another
in October 2020 (SWOT analysis).
Chair Soderberg asked Ms. Bennett how many times she has worked with various communities.
Ms. Bennett replied that she has done hundreds of public presentations, and approximately a dozen
HRA Strategic Plans, noting her latest one for Golden Valley.
Chair Soderberg asked what would be the key to success.
Ms. Bennett answered getting as many participants as possible to reply to the survey. Many times
businesses do not see the connection between their businesses and housing, so it is important to
inform them. The surveys and SWOT analysis is most essential. The emphasis will be on distilling
data and the results from the survey as to what is important.
Chair Soderberg asked about the timing of the joint City Council meetings.
HRA Executive Director Juetten stated the process might not move fast enough to meet the planned
July meeting with the City Council so it may need to be moved back. The engagement of the HRA
will be easy, but he asked Council Member Davis to facilitate a good response from the City
Council members. Engaging the council and the general public will be the biggest challenge. The
city council is engaged in a parallel process; Strategic Planning for City Center, that the HRA is
not a part of, but may be of benefit to HRA housing. The study will provide market data the HRA
can use.
Ms. Bennett said that she could be flexible in shifting schedules to meet the needs of the HRA.
5B. Stone Creek Village Apartments. Approve subordination of HRA loans.
Approved Minutes
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
May 28, 2020
Page 3
HRA Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report.
Chair Soderberg ask for clarification of the subordination.
HRA Manager Barnes stated that the loan is already in a subordinate position. The master
subordination agreement will keep all loans in the same position.
Commissioner Larson asked if they are refinancing with the city or just with Bridgewater.
HRA Manager Barnes said they are refinancing their Fannie Mae mortgage for 5 years with
Bridgewater, intending to solidify more permanent financing in the future.
Commissioner Larson asked if the principle balance would change with the City of Plymouth.
HRA Manager Barnes answered no, the principle balance will not change.
MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Commissioner Whitfield to
approve the subordination request for the $236,000 Tax Increment Housing
Assistance Program loan and the $130,000 Affordable Housing Fund Program
loan. Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Huddleston,
Whitfield, and Larson). MOTION passed unanimously.
5C. Willow Woods Apartments. Approve assumption of HRA loan
HRA Manager gave an overview of the staff report.
Chair Soderberg asked for clarification of item number two of the letter from CommonBond,
which states, “There should not be an expectation of repayment in the case of a preservation project
like this.”
HRA Manager Barnes stated that many cities or funders consider the forgiveness of interest to
assist and preserve the projects affordable housing units.
Chair Soderberg asked if we would consider forgiving the interest.
HRA Manager Barnes answered that staff is proposing to wait to make sure the project is going
forward and they are executing the HAP funding contract for another 20 years.
Chair Soderberg asked the condition of Willow Woods Apartment.
Mr. Andy Hughes, representative of CommonBond, answered the property is in good condition.
They are planning a moderate rehab in 2022 consisting of select roofing, siding, and some interior
refresh of some units. Funding is being set aside for future improvements.
Approved Minutes
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
May 28, 2020
Page 4
Commissioner Larson asked why Dominium doesn’t pay the interest before CommonBond
assumes the loan.
HRA Manager Barnes said the interest repayment is negotiated between Dominium and
CommonBond.
Commissioner Larson asked if the $50,000 loan was with the City of Plymouth.
HRA Manager Barnes answered the loan is from Plymouth HRA.
Chair Soderberg asked if the terms of the loan just required accrual not repayment.
HRA Manager Barnes replied full payment; principle and interest, of the note would be in 2035
when the note becomes due.
Commissioner Larson asked if the loan transfers with the change in ownership.
HRA Manager Barnes replied it does not. That is why CommonBond is requesting an assumption
of the loan.
Commissioner Larson raised the concern of the HRA losing repayment of interest when
CommonBond assumes the loan, if the interest is not already paid by Dominium.
HRA Manager Barnes stated the majority of loans are issued at 0% interest and all loans are a
myriad of terms conditions that are negotiated between the owner and either the HRA or City.
Mr. Hughes stated it is important to note that CommonBond is requesting to assume the loan to
include the interest to help fund the purchase price. It will actually reduce the purchase price that
will be going to the seller.
Commissioner Larson noted he wants to make sure the HRA will not be losing out on any interest
payment.
HRA Manager Barnes stated when CommonBond comes back in 2022 staff will evaluate their
entire financial package to determine if interest forgiveness make sense.
Chair Soderberg noted assumption of the loan would guarantee 20 more years of affordable
housing in those units.
Commissioner Whitfield asked what impact this assumption would have on the residents.
Approved Minutes
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
May 28, 2020
Page 5
HRA Manager Barnes stated the assumption may require temporary relocation of some of the
residents to a different unit or another property for the duration of planned upgrades, but that this
would not occur until 2022.
MOTION by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Whitfield, to approve the
assumption of the $50,000 Affordable Housing Fund loan to facilitate the preservation of
affordable housing. Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Huddleston,
Whitfield, and Larson). MOTION passed unanimously.
5D. Election of Vice-Chair
Chair Soderberg nominated Commissioner Larson to fill the Vice-President position.
MOTION by Chair Soderberg, seconded by Commissioner Whitfield, nominating Commissioner
Larson as HRA Vice-chair. Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Huddleston,
Whitfield, and Larson). MOTION passed unanimously.
6. UPDATES
HRA Manager Barnes provided an update to the Board on the following items.
• Element/Sand Companies
• Beacon Interfaith/Cranberry Ridge
• Senior Building updates
• Vicksburg Crossing windows
• HRA Strategic Plan
7. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Chair Soderberg, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m.