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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 10-13-2020APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING October 13, 2020 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Michelle Soderberg, Commissioners Robert Huddleston, Jeff Kulaszewicz, Aqueelah Whitfield, and Lucas Larson ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: HRA Manager Jim Barnes, Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini, Support Services Manager Denise Whalen, and Permit Technician Michelle Bast OTHERS PRESENT: Cathy Capone Bennett of Bennett Community Consulting 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Soderberg called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority special meeting to order at 6:03 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 Huddleston, Kulaszewicz, Whitfield, and Larson). MOTION passed unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. HRA Accessible Home Program – Consider purchase agreement for 3315 Garland Lane North HRA Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked if the property has any covenant in place in regards to affordability. HRA Manager Barnes said there is a 90-year loan. That loan will be satisfied when the HRA purchases the property. Commissioner Larson asked what the HRA’s business plan would be for this property after the HRA acquires it. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 13, 2020 Page 2 HRA Manager Barnes responded there is an agreement with Mr. Hitz, property owner, to continue to lease the property until he no longer needs it. After such time, staff will bring it back to the HRA to consider options. Commissioner Huddleston noted there is a typo in the seventh paragraph of the resolution: the pronoun “she” should be changed to “he”. MOTION by Commissioner Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to adopt the resolution to purchase the property located at 3315 Garland Lane North. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. (Chair Soderberg, Commissioners Huddleston, Kulaszewicz, Whitfield, and Larson). MOTION passed unanimously. B. HRA Strategic Plan - Review and finalize the HRA’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) and discuss the list of best practices. Ms. Bennett summarized the previous work conducted on the HRA Strategic Plan. The Board discussed a few areas of the SWOT analysis and made some modifications to the wording to provide clarification. Ms. Bennett said those modifications will be made and presented at the joint meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2020. She provided an overview of the Best Practice Tools. She stated this is not an exhaustive list; however, this list may provide you with some areas to focus on as part of your strategic plan. The Best Practices are structured around four areas: Preservation and Tenant Protections; Increasing Housing Affordability and Options; Redevelopment Options; and, Funding and Financial Strategies. Ms. Bennet reviewed the preservation and tenant protection policies. She outlined five specific best practices. Ms. Bennett reminded the board this is not an exhaustive list and to add other policies and ideas that fit well for Plymouth. Many of these policies have been adopted by Plymouth’s peer cities Commissioner Larson stated he believes these programs are all well intentioned; however, he thinks it is prudent to be careful. There could be unintended consequences. An example is with a tenant protection program. If a new owner acquires the property, a policy such as this might affect the sales price for current owners. There may be a discount purchase price for those three months that the new owners are not able to increase the rent. Ms. Bennett replied correct, there could be unintended consequences in any new policy that you would evaluate. This does not mean you should not go through the process to really understand what those unintended consequences are prior to moving forward with an ordinance. Commissioner Huddleston inquired if there was a model ordinance by another city in the state Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 13, 2020 Page 3 relative to tenant protection. Ms. Bennett replied there are not exactly model ordinances; however, several of your peer cities have adopted similar ordinances. Chair Soderberg said the challenge here is to find that balance. This is a step; there is no guarantee. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked what the goal is for tonight in regards to the best practices. HRA Manager Barnes responded staff is hoping the board can come to a consensus of items that can be passed on to council next week. These items are priorities, either programs or policies you want them to consider going forward. Chair Soderberg suggested that Ms. Bennett discuss all the items and then come back to determine what to move forward with. The Board discussed the four categories and agreed on a list of potential priorities to present to the City Council. HRA Manager Barnes said we do have one person who wants to talk: Ed Goldsmith Mr. Goldsmith introduced himself stating he had been the HRA supervisor 20 years ago for the city when we did a Housing Improvement Area and he provided background on the project to the Board. He also stated that he is a member of the Outreach Development Corporation, which is the Housing Corporation that was set up by Interfaith Outreach. They are having some discussions about making some suggestions to the HRA relative to both the SWOT analysis and the housing best practices. He also inquired whether the city still has the density bonus in its zoning ordinance. HRA Manager Barnes responded the city does not have density bonuses. 5. UPDATES Public Hearing for the Housing Choice Voucher program Request to issue the bids for windows for Vicksburg Crossing Magic Packs 6. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Soderberg, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.