HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 01-25-2000MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
January 25, 2000
PRESENT: Chair Brad Brown, Commissioners Susan Henderson, Leon Michlitsch, Dick Abel, Tim
Bildsoe
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, HRA Supervisor Ed Goldsmith, Housing
Specialist Rebecca Stoen and Senior Clerk/Typist Barb Peterson
OTHERS PRESENT: Planning Commission Liaison Sarah Reinhardt
RECEPTION IN HONOR OF FORMER COMMISSIONERS CRAIN, HELMKEN, AND
JOHNSON — 6:00 p.m.
Chair Brown congratulated and presented former Commissioners Crain, Helmken, and Johnson with
resolutions recognizing their contribution to the HRA and the City.
2. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order by Chair Brown on
January 25, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. at Plymouth Towne Square (PTS), 15500 37"' Avenue North.
3. RESOLUTION DEDICATING THE COMMUNITY/DINING ROOM AT PTS IN HONOR OF
H. DAVID CRAIN
Supervisor Goldsmith presented a staff recommendation for the Board to adopt Resolution 2000-01,
resolution dedicating the Community/Dining Room at Plymouth Towne Square in honor of H. David Crain
for his service on the HRA Board of Commissioners
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the Board
adopt the resolution dedicating the Community/Dining Room at Plymouth Towne Square in honor of H.
David Crain for his service on the HRA Board of Commissioners.
Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
Following the motion former Commissioner H. David Crain was presented with a resolution dedicating the
community/dining room at Plymouth Towne Square in his honor. He then hung the resolution by the entry
to the dining room.
The meeting was then opened to questions from the Plymouth Towne Square residents.
A resident inquired about why the windows are so hard to open. Chair Brown said they will look into that
matter. Another stated that the stoves are hard to clean. Chair Brown said that when they are replaced
they will have self-cleaning ovens. The community room being hard to hear in was another concern of a
resident. Discussion was also held regarding the traffic situation in the area of Plymouth Towne Square.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Henderson, seconded by Commissioner Abel, to recommend approval of the
December 16, 1999 minutes.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
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January 25, 2000
Page 2
5. PLYMOUTH TOWN SQUARE MONTHLY REPORT
Plymouth Towne Square Manager Burnham thanked the HRA Board for meeting at Plymouth Towne
Square and for providing the meal. She said that the building entry door had to be re -keyed because a
resident's purse had been stolen with the keys to the building in it. All residents have garage stalls at this
time.
6. STATUS OF OUTLOT D BASS LAKE HEIGHTS ADDITION AND RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A FUNDING APPLICATION TO THE MHFA
Housing Supervisor Goldsmith explained that Outlot D is a tax -forfeited property that the HRA is
considering for development of affordable housing. An initial title search had been done and it was learned
that the neighboring homeowners may have access and use easements over the property. An attorney for
one of the homeowners also brought this to the attention of staff. Because of the need to further research
the legal ramifications of this situation, there will be a delay in moving forward with acquisition and
development of this property. This will also delay the HRA meeting with the neighbors that was to have
been held in February. The dates of March 20 & March 28 are available at the library. Commissioner
Henderson asked if we would be ready by then.
The staff report included a recommendation to make an application for funding to the Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency (MHFA) for financing the development, but considering the delay, staff is withdrawing
this recommendation. Chair Brown asked what the legal process would be. If we decide to go forth and
the City Attorney determines the neighbors do have an interest we could undertake a condemnation of those
interests. Planning Commission Liaison Reinhardt wanted to know how the neighbor with the attorney was
aware of this. Supervisor Goldsmith indicated that several of the neighbors have known about the tax
forfeiture and the HRA's interest for well over a year. Surveyors had recently been surveying and stacking
the property. This prompted several neighbors to contact the City to ask what was happening. There had
never been a formal homeowners association.
Jay Nelson, President of the Plymouth Housing Alliance asked about the nature of the usage easements
over the property. Supervisor Goldsmith indicated that the Outlot had been intended to be used as
greenspace. Chair Brown asked about a timeline. Supervisor Goldsmith responded that the attorneys are
in the research phase right now. By the February meeting we should have further information. . Chair
Brown asked the commissioners for their thoughts. Commissioner Abel said we need more information.
He asked what the neighbor wants out of it. Supervisor Goldsmith indicated that some of them want it to
remain greenspace. Our attorney is talking to the County's attorney regarding the County's position on the
tax forfeiture. Chair Brown indicated we should go ahead and book a date for the public meeting. We will
tentatively set the 28th of March if Ginny Black is available. Commissioner Abel asked if Ginny has
received any calls regarding this. Supervisor Goldsmith indicated that he had talked with her and she has
not. Approximately four residents have called the city in regards to the issue.
HRA Specialist Stoen indicated that the next MFHA application deadline would be in June. The proposed
HRA RESOLUTION 2000-02 was withdrawn by staff and not voted on due to the fact we are not
submitting an application at this time.
7. WAIVER OF EQUITY REQUIREMENT FOR REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
HRA Specialist Stoen said that several residents for the Tiburon Rehabilitation Loan program are unable to
meet the equity requirements. Their equity in their homes are less than the loan. Three applicants have
problems under the equity requirements now and there will probably be one more also. Commissioner Abel
asked what types of problems the homes have. HRA Specialist Stoen indicated that these are a
combination of major items, such as foundation, roof, siding, and furnace. Commissioner Henderson asked
what effect the waiver will have. There would be an increased risk that if the owner were to default on
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January 25, 2000
Page 3
their mortgage, there would not be enough equity to repay the loan. However, since at least half of the loan
will be from the Metro Council grant, the HRA's exposure is more limited. The repairs are structural and
will not add much additional value to the home. Mortgage and tax payments are verified to be certain that
each homeowner is current on their payments before assistance is approved. These are the typical HRA 30
year deferred loans. Chair Brown wanted to know if the purchaser got a better deal because of the
problems. These problems were not evident at the time of purchase or occurred after purchase. Chair
Brown asked about using the waiver for emergency cases also.
MOTION by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the Board
approve a waiver of the equity requirement for applicants for the Tiburon Housing Rehabilitation Loan
Program. They further recommended that the Board amend the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Guidelines to
authorize the HRA Executive Director to waive the equity requirement in the case of emergency repairs as
defined in the Guidelines for the citywide program.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
8. STATUS OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE — verbal report
Director Hurlburt said they are in the final stages of the plan and should get it finished Feb. 4th or 7th
There will be a workshop all day Saturday, Feb. 12th. We will hold open houses in March for the public
and the entire plan will be on the City of Plymouth Website. March
29th
is the official public hearing. The
plan will be in place sometime this summer. A timed agenda will be put together for Feb. 12th. Supervisor
Goldsmith suggested the three new commissioners read the housing and land use portions of the Plan.
9. HRA STRATEGIC PLAN — PRIORITIES WORKSHEET AND CONTINUATION FROM
DECEMBER MEETING
Chair Brown explained the four key result areas and how we have focused on affordable housing to date.
He asked the commissioners to prioritize these areas. The majority felt that affordable housing would be
number one, redevelopment number two, economic developmentibusiness climate number three, and social
services number four.
Housing Supervisor Goldsmith provided background on the social services aspect.
Commissioner Henderson asked if there is any agency that takes responsibility for redevelopment. Director
Hurlburt said it is the City of Plymouth and the HRA.
Discussion took place regarding the redevelopment objectives. Director Hurlburt explained that it is a
philosophical issue of how far we are willing to go in spending for redevelopment, condemning property
and if we are willing to displace people from their homes.
Commissioner Henderson and Commissioner Abel chose A2 - select target areas, solicit developers, and
rely on market financing.
Planning Commission Liaison Reinhardt chose a combination of A2 & A3, select target areas, but also
encourage developers to propose sites, using market financing.
Commissioner Michlitsch chose Al, select target areas with aggressive use of public financing.
Director Hurlburt asked if we are comfortable encouraging developers to come to us. The Commissioners
said they were. Commissioner Henderson wanted to know what role the City Council and Planning
Commission take in this. Chair Brown said the HRA has to be the leader.
The next topic discussed was the affordable housing objectives.
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January 25, 2000
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Commissioner Abel prioritized them as B2, B 1, B3 — actively find and acquire sites for private
development, facilitate private and nonprofit developers, and as a last resort take a direct role by
developing, owning, and managing.
Commissioner Michlitsch chose B3 - take a direct role by developing, owning, and managing.
Planning Commission Liaison Reinhardt B1, B2, B3 — emphasis on facilitating private and nonprofit
development owning, but also finding and acquiring sites in support of private development, and as a last
resort take a direct role by developing, owning, and managing.
Commissioner Henderson would go up to B3, developing owning & managing when necessary to
accomplish affordable housing goals.
Chair Brown chose B2 and possibly B3 — actively find and acquire sites for private development, but if
necessary develop, own, and manage.
Economic Dev./Business Climate Objectives was the next topic.
Commissioner Henderson chose C 1 — develop a promotional process to respond to businesses interested in
locating in Plymouth, modified to include development of informational materials that are helpful and give
support to businesses already located in Plymouth and C5 to be aware of issues around work force
development.
Planning Commission Liaison Reinhardt felt that most important were C5 — workforce development, C2 —
use CDBG funds for eligible economic development activities, and C 1 — development of a promotional
process to respond to businesses interested in locating in Plymouth.
Commissioners Michlitsch and Abel chose C5 — participation in workforce development programs focusing
on the relationship of affordable housing and transportation to employment.
HRA Specialist Stoen brought up rehab loans for small businesses. Director Hurlburt said the revolving
loan fund from Value Rx will be coming in so we will have funds to do this type of thing. It could be under
Redevelopment or Economic Development.
Chair Brown said we need to look at what type of businesses we want in Plymouth.
Discussion took place regarding the human services objectives:
Commissioners Abel and Michlitsch chose D4 — remaining focused on using CDBG funds for human
services directly tied to housing and family self-sufficiency.
Planning Commission Liaison Reinhardt recommended grouping all 4 objectives together and determine
what services residents of the City need.
Commissioner Henderson chose D3 and D4 — using and remaining focused on CDBG funds for services in
support of housing and family self-sufficiency.
Supervisor Goldsmith spoke about primary human services being split between PRISM, serving the
Robbinsdale School District area & Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, serving the Wayzata
School District area.
The above information will be further refined by staff for discussion in February.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
The February meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 17. It will include a public hearing for the allocation of
program year 2000 CDBG funds.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.