HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 09-24-2020APPROVED MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
September 24, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Michelle Soderberg, Commissioners Jeff Kulaszewicz, Robert
Huddleston, Aqueelah Whitfield, and Lucas Larson.
STAFF PRESENT: HRA Executive Director Steve Juetten, HRA Manager Jim Barnes,
Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini, Support Services Manager Denise Whalen,
and Permit Technician Tina Beckfeld.
OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Jim Davis, Cathy Capone Bennett of Bennett
Community Consulting, and Joel Spoonheim Plymouth resident and representative of Outreach
Development Corp.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Soderberg called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at
7:00 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 Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve
the Agenda. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Whitfield, Larson,
Huddleston, and Kulaszewicz). MOTION passed unanimously.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
4A. Approve proposed August 27, 2020 minutes
4B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept monthly housing reports
4C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing reports
MOTION by Commissioner Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve
the Consent Agenda. 5 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Whitfield, Larson,
Huddleston, and Kulaszewicz). MOTION passed unanimously.
5. NEW BUSINESS
5A. Strategic Plan. Review and discuss HRA strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat
analysis (SWOT)
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Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
September 24, 2020
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Cathy Capone Bennett of Bennett Community Consulting updated the board on her progress of
holding stakeholder engagement meetings with a Summit Mortgage banker, a local realtor, a
resident who used to work in banking and currently works in affordable housing, Interfaith
Outreach, and the Outreach Development Corp (ODC) board. She stated she would provide the
board with a summary of those meetings once she completes her interviews with Plymouth faith
leaders and Wayzata School staff. In addition, she stated a Flash Vote survey was sent out earlier
in the week, with results received just before this meeting. She said results would hopefully be
shared prior to or at the next HRA meeting.
Council Member Jim Davis asked what the ODC board is.
Ms. Bennett replied the ODC is a housing developer, and the board is comprised of approximately
20 business leaders: people in affordable housing, corporations, and representative of the health
sector that drive the work of Interfaith Outreach. They also provide funding for affordable
housing.
Chair Soderberg asked Ms. Bennett to clarify if the ODC is a corporation separate from IOCP.
Ms. Bennett confirmed that the ODC is an affiliate that works in the interest of Interfaith Outreach.
Commissioner Larson asked if any residents were interviewed.
Ms. Bennett said yes, she interviewed a resident that was recommended to her who used to work
in banking and currently works in affordable housing. The Flash Vote was done since in person
interviews with residents is prohibitive during the Coronavirus pandemic. Survey results were just
short of 1,200 responses.
Commissioner Larson asked if the responses were all Plymouth residents.
HRA Manager Barnes replied the majority of the responses were from Plymouth residents.
Ms. Bennett presented a color coordinated compilation of the board members’ thoughts for the
SWOT summary. She stated she wants to confirm she captured everything and address some
conflicts between the strengths and weaknesses that were provided.
HRA Manger Barnes added he would like to see a concerted platform from the board using one
voice going forward to present to the City Council.
Commissioners Larson and Kulaszewicz asked for clarification if the SWOT is about the city of
Plymouth in general or is it specific to the HRA.
Ms. Bennett replied the intent of the SWOT is to specify what the goals and mission of the HRA
are in regard to the city. She said the HRA cannot be isolated from the community because it
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Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
September 24, 2020
Page 3
serves the community, and that strengths are the work that the HRA does well for the community
and the weaknesses are the things the HRA can do better for the community.
HRA Executive Director Juetten stated the SWOT analysis gives us a basis of what we want to put
into the strategic plan; to pull out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. He said
we must identify those things in the city as a whole that the HRA can make better and ultimately
develop a strategic plan that makes the strengths stronger, and lessens the weaknesses.
The Board discussed the conflicts in the SWOT matrix and came to a consensus on the revisions.
Ms. Bennett stated she would make the changes and provide the board with the final SWOT
analysis at the October 13th meeting. She also asked the Board to review her compilation of best
practices that was distributed earlier in the week and be ready to discuss them at the next meeting.
Joel Spoolheim of 11710 28th Ave N, resident of Plymouth and member of the ODC addressed
the board. He mentioned barriers in Plymouth for affordable housing: the amount of land
guided or zoned for affordable housing and density with respect to affordable housing – for
work force homeowners/tenants. He stated he appreciates the work the HRA is doing with
the strategic plan and extended an invitation to the commissioners to continue the
conversation.
Chair Soderberg asked Ms. Bennett if they should each have one to three ideas of focus areas
prepared for the next meeting.
Ms. Bennett suggested the commissioners introduce idea(s) they want included in the
Strategic Plan as a presentation so everyone is taking the information in at the same time.
5B. HRA Budgets. Review and approve the 2021 budget
Support Services Manager Whalen gave an overview of the Housing Choice Voucher portion of
the 2021 budget staff report.
Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked how many vouchers Plymouth is currently administering.
Support Services Manager Whalen replied a little over 300 vouchers, 230 of which are for
Plymouth including five new Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers. VASH
vouchers serves veterans. She added that there are also 95 port-in vouchers that Plymouth
administers.
HRA Manager Barnes gave an overview of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
and the HRA General Fund portions of the 2021 budget staff report.
Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked if we have looked at the interest rates of our bonds.
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Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
September 24, 2020
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HRA Manager Barnes replied yes - every year our financial advisor Ehlers reviews the entire
portfolio of bonds and makes recommendations. Ehlers recommended paying the Plymouth
Towne Square bonds off with an inter-fund loan through the city to reduce costs by approximately
$30,000. Vicksburg Crossing will be looked at in the first or second quarter of 2021.
Council Member Davis stated the budget documents are hard to follow and requested a summary
going forward.
HRA Manager Barnes said he would work with Finance staff to make the transmission of budget
information easier to understand.
Council Member Davis asked if the levy includes funds for new initiatives.
HRA Manager Barnes answered no.
MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to recommend
that the City Council approve the 2021 HRA budgets. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. (Chair
Soderberg, Commissioners Whitfield, Larson, Huddleston, and Kulaszewicz). MOTION
passed unanimously.
5C. HRA Accessible Home Program – Consider purchase of 3315 Garland Lane N
HRA Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report.
Council Member Davis asked what would happen to the rented property if the occupant passed
away or had to move to a facility.
HRA Manager Barnes answered at that point staff would bring options to the board for their
consideration.
Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked why there is such a discrepancy between the purchase price and
the appraisal.
HRA Manager Barnes stated the occupant is very grateful for what the program has provided, and
wanted his asking price to reflect such.
Commissioner Huddleston asked if the book value is $185,000 plus $65,000 loan forgiveness.
HRA Manager Barnes answered yes.
Commissioner Huddleston asked if there will be a tax obligation for buying the property at a
significantly lower market value.
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Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
September 24, 2020
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HRA Manager Barnes answered no.
MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Commissioner Whitfield, to provide
staff the authority to draft a purchase agreement and make an offer to purchase 3315 Garland
Lane N, Plymouth, MN 55447 in the amount of $185,000. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. (Chair
Soderberg, Commissioners Whitfield, Larson, Huddleston, and Kulaszewicz). MOTION
passed unanimously.
6. UPDATES
Elements
Cranberry Ridge
Four Seasons Mall
Fernbrook Lane site
Vicksburg Crossing Magic Packs
7. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Chair Soderberg, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.