Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 03-25-2021APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY March 25, 2021 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Michelle Soderberg, Commissioners Robert Huddleston, Aqueelah Whitfield (arrived at 7:04 p.m.), Lucas Larson, James Williams, and Wayne Peterson. STAFF PRESENT: HRA Executive Director Steve Juetten, HRA Manager Jim Barnes, Community Development Coordinator Matt Lupini, Support Services Manager Denise Whalen and Permit Technician Michelle Bast. OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Jim Davis, Jody Boedigheimer of Grace Management, Cathy Capone Bennett of Bennett Community Consulting ABSENT: Commissioner Jeff Kulaszewicz 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Soderberg called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:01 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 Williams, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve the Agenda. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 4. CONSENT AGENDA 4A. Approve proposed minutes from February 25, 2021 4B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept monthly housing reports 4C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing reports 4D. Housing Choice Voucher Program. Approve amendments to landlord incentive pilot programs 4E. Scattered Site Housing Program. Approve Admission and Occupancy Policy and Lease Agreement Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 25, 2021 Page 2 MOTION by Commissioner Huddleston, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes MOTION passed unanimously. 5. NEW BUSINESS 5A. Strategic Plan. Adopt the Strategic Plan Cathy Capone Bennett of Bennett Community Consulting provided an overview of the City Council’s discussion of the HRA Strategic Plan, including their comments and suggested changes. She stated the City Council agreed collecting and distributing information may be the better way to describe the role of the HRA in terms of advocating for various housing program initiatives. Commissioner Huddleston asked with whom information is shared, since the sentence as written did not specify a measure. Ms. Bennett stated that although the first bullet point is broad, the action itself is specific. Commissioner Williams asked what was the prevailing issue that necessitated this change to the language. Ms. Bennett said the conversation was around not wanting to have the HRA be an advocate for or against any specific policy. Commissioner Larson inquired about the HRA’s discretion in accepting or rejecting changes suggested by the City Council. Ms. Bennett stated that the Strategic Plan is an HRA-approved draft that was presented to the City Council for their opinions and suggestions. The purpose of this discussion is to take into consideration Council’s suggestions before the HRA adopts the Strategic Plan. Chair Soderberg stated that the Strategic Plan is the HRA’s document. HRA Manager Barnes affirmed this is the HRA’s document and it does not need to go back before the City Council before being adopted. The changes made will address concerns but will not change the HRA’s plan for the next three to five years. Ms. Bennett moved to the next change made which was on Page 11 regarding the phrase “adequate funding”. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 25, 2021 Page 3 Commissioner Huddleston asked if the funds for strategic plan initiatives are to be solely from dedicated sources, as well as which funds are under the control of the City Council versus the HRA. HRA Manager Barnes explained the HRA has three budgets. The first is the HRA general fund which is supported almost entirely by the HRA property tax levy.The City Council decides based on the HRA recommendation how much to levy every year. The second budget is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that is 97% supported by federal dollars. Those federal dollars are awarded to the City of Plymouth not the HRA. There is an agreement with the city to pass the daily operations of the CDBG program to the HRA and its staff for administration.The third budget, which the HRA has the most control over is the Housing Choice Voucher program. However, that budget is dictated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Commissioner Larson stated he felt the word ‘adequate’ on Page 12 was unnecessary. Chair Soderberg suggested taking a vote regarding keeping the sentence in question. Roll Call Vote. 2-4. (Commissioners Larson, Peterson, Whitfield, and Williams voted Nay. MOTION failed. The sentence was removed. Commissioner Williams asked why the word ‘all’ was stricken from the Action sentence on Page 13.He said he wanted to be sure all options remained open to the HRA. Commissioner Huddleston said he was not sure if the HRA would have the resources to investigate all possibilities. MOTION by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to adopt the Strategic Plan as amended. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 5B. Plymouth Towne Square. Approve replacement of zone values in the building. HRA Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Williams asked if insurance can be used to pay for the valves or the damage incurred. HRA Manager Barnes replied the senior buildings are insured through the League of Minnesota Cities, which will cover the damage, but not the valve replacement. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 25, 2021 Page 4 Council Member Davis asked what the valves regulate. HRA Manager Barnes replied the valves regulate heat in each unit. Council Member Davis clarified whether they regulate radiant heat. HRA Manager Barnes confirmed the valves regulate radiant heat. MOTION by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Huddleston, to approve replacement of zone values in the building. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 6. UPDATES Cranberry Ridge Element Four Seasons Mall Project Valor Place Senior Apartment Building on Harbor Lane Dundee Nursery Redevelopment 7. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Soderberg, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.