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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 01-18-2001MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY January 18, 2001 PRESENT: HRA Commissioners Leon Michlitsch, Susan Henderson, Tim Bildsoe, and Steve Ludovissie ABSENT: Sandy Hewitt STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, HRA Supervisor Ed Goldsmith, HRA Specialist Rebecca Stoen, HRA Specialist Melissa Carnicelli, and HRA Office Support Representative Barb Peterson OTHERS PRESENT: Planning Liaison Kapila Bobra 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order by Vice Chair Henderson 7:00 p.m. on January 18, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. 2. INTRODUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEW COMMISSIONER STEVE LUDOVISSIE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Michlitsch, seconded by Commissioner Bildsoe, to recommend approval of the November 16, 2000 meeting minutes. Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously. 4a. RESOLUTION HONORING HRA CHAIR BRAD BROWN MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the Board adopt the attached resolution honoring Brad Brown for his service on the HRA Board of Commissioners. Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. HRA Resolution 2001-01 adopted unanimously. 4b. RESOLUTION HONORING HRA COMMISSIONER RICHARD ABEL MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the Board adopt the attached resolution honoring Richard Abel for his service on the HRA Board of Commissioners. Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. HRA Resolution 2001-02 adopted unanimously. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority January 18, 2001 Page 2 5. PROJECT BASED SECTION 8 VOUCHERS FOR THE PROPOSED STONE CREEK VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT Supervisor Goldsmith explained that a developer had submitted an application to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MFHA) asking for assistance to develop Stone Creek Village which would include approximately 140 mixed-income rental apartments. It would be located at the northeast quadrant of State Highway 55 and Medicine Lake Drive West. The application received a high ranking but did not receive an allocation of low-income housing credits. The developer is planning to revise and resubmit their application by the February 1st deadline. One way the proposal competitiveness can be increased is to obtain an allocation of “Project Based Section 8 Vouchers”. HUD allows Section 8 agencies to convert up to 20% of Tenant Based Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to Project Based Section 8 Vouchers. Supervisor Goldsmith explained how Project Based Section 8 Vouchers work as opposed to Tenant Based Vouchers. Plymouth HRA could convert up to 28 of its 140 “Tenant Based Vouchers” to “Project Based Vouchers”. This would be a way for the HRA to assist in this project which would increase the possibility of state assistance, reducing the need for local assistance. MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the Plymouth HRA authorize its Executive Director to negotiate and enter into a letter of intent to develop a cooperation agreement with Dominium Development for the use of Project Based Section 8 Vouchers in conjunction with an application to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) for an allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for the Stone Creek Village Development proposal in accordance with applicable regulations of the MHFA and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Director Hurlburt said that even if we do not use “Project Based Vouchers” in Stone Creek we could use them at another time. There are many housing developments in different planning stages for which they could be used. Commissioner Ludovissie asked what the contract term was. It is determined by the HRA and can be up to ten years. Commissioner Henderson asked if they are renewable. They can be renewed as long as HUD funding is available. Commissioner Henderson asked which vouchers would be converted. Vouchers that can be converted would be vouchers that are not being currently utilized. The people who received the vouchers would come off of our Section 8 waiting list and must live in the development for which they are received. They would need to meet selection requirements for the apartment complex. Approximately 25 Plymouth vouchers turn over each year. Commissioner Ludovissie asked how many vouchers are not being used right now. Except for new Vouchers being leased-up, we have only a few not being used right now. Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously. 6. PUBLIC HEARING: PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN & OPENING OF SECTION 8 WAITING LIST HRA Specialist Carnicelli stated that HUD requires the HRA to submit an update to our Public Housing Agency Annual Plan prior to each fiscal year. Several changes will be made if approved by the Board. The start date for our fiscal year would change from July 1 to January 1 to Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority January 18, 2001 Page 3 conform with the HRA fiscal year. The allocation and type of vouchers would chang to 112 general purpose vouchers and 30 Mainstream special purpose vouchers to conform to the most recent HUD allocations. Policy changes will include a modification limiting a self-sufficiency preference to someone who has graduated from a self-sufficiency program within 12 months of selection from the Section 8 waiting list. The procedure for determining rent reasonableness will also change to allow the use of the 50th percentile market rent, which was set by HUD in December, 2000 rather than the 40th percentile. Another change is the definition of “substantial deviation” from our five-year plan, which has been approved by HUD. This was submitted to a resident advisory board and we did not receive any comments. Our application waiting list will be open on January 29, 30, and 31. We have advertised quite heavily in the community and have also followed the HUD affirmative fair housing requirements. We require a person to rent for the first year in our jurisdiction. Approximately 160 vouchers are being used in Plymouth from other jurisdictions. Commissioner Henderson questioned if we need to send the revision to the advisory committee. As this is being discussed at this meeting before the public hearing, we do not need to do so. Vice Chair Henderson officially opened the Public Hearing. No persons were present to speak at the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was officially closed by Vice Chair Henderson. MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, to adopt the resolution approving the Public Housing Agency Annual Plan for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2001, in accordance with applicable HUD regulations. Roll Call Vote. 4 ayes. Resolution 2001-03 adopted unanimously. 7. APPLICATION FOR ADDITIONAL SECTION 8 VOUCHERS We are eligible to apply for 35 additional vouchers. Plymouth has a very small percentage of the housing need in the state and is therefore eligible for only a small proportion of available vouchers. Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth get the majority. Most cities are having a hard time renting up the vouchers they have, however we have not had a problem. If this became a problem, we can absorb persons who have vouchers from other jurisdictions to use our allocation. Commissioner Ludovissie asked what the threshold was when you could not apply for additional vouchers. HRA Specialist Carnicelli indicated it was 85%. Effectively we are near to 100%. MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the Board adopt the resolution directing staff to apply for HUD funding for the 35 additional Section 8 Vouchers. Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. Resolution 2001-04 adopted unanimously. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority January 18, 2001 Page 4 8. TARGETED MARKETING PROGRAM FOR ELMHURST AND ELMHURST GATEWAY STUDY AREAS HRA Specialist Stoen presented her recommendations for the Elmhurst areas. She gave background about the project for Commissioner Ludovissie. It was determined that no major redevelopment of the area is necessary. She recommends that we do a survey of the homes in the area to determine the income range of residents and obtain more information on existing housing conditions. Homes that were identified as in below average condition during the drive-by housing condition survey would receive rehab information and an application along with the survey. Based on the information obtained from the survey and response from the area, we could use this information to apply for outside funding. Commissioner Ludovissie said they had discussed doing this type of surveying when he was on the Board previously. This will be the first area the HRA has formally surveyed. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if there is some point when the HRA cannot put money into the property. HRA Specialist Stoen explained the process by which the rehab needs of the property are determined. The possibility of buying properties by the HRA has come before the Board. The two we have looked at were sold privately. MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the HRA Board authorize staff to begin implementation of the program for the Elmhurst and Elmhurst Gateway Neighborhoods as presented in the staff report. Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously. 9. UPDATE ON VILLAGE AT BASSETT CREEK TOWNHOME PURCHASE HRA Specialist Stoen provided a little background and gave an update on the reason the townhome was purchased by the HRA on Dec. 18th. We are now in the process of choosing a person to buy the home. We will give preference to a qualified buyer that lives and works in Plymouth and has dependent children. A lottery will determine the buyer if we have two equal applicants. We expect to sell the property at the end of March. MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending that the HRA Board authorize staff to continue as outlined in the staff report for the sale of this property. Staff will update the Board on the status of the project before the resale of the property. 10. FILLING OF VACANT BOARD OFFICER POSITIONS Supervisor Goldsmith is recommending that the Board nominate and elect officers to serve until the next regular election at the March Annual meeting. Commissioner Bildsoe nominated Commissioner Henderson for Chair. Commissioner Ludovissie seconded it. Vote. 3 Ayes. Commissioner Henderson elected Chair unanimously. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority January 18, 2001 Page 5 Commissioner Ludovissie nominated Commissioner Bildsoe for Vice Chair. Commissioner Michlitsch seconded it. Vote. 3 Ayes. Commissioner Bildsoe elected Vice Chair unanimously. Commissioner Michlitsch nominated Commissioner Ludovissie for Secretary. Commissioner Bildsoe seconded it. Vote. 3 Ayes. Commissioner Ludovissie elected Secretary unanimously. 11. PLYMOUTH TOWNE SQUARE MONTHLY HOUSING REPORTS Plymouth Towne Square Manager Burnham is back at work following her leave of absence. All units are leased at this time. Finances are in good order. Supervisor Goldsmith spoke about a theft that occurred in the building. Notices were sent out again that residents should keep their doors locked at all times. Commissioner Henderson pointed out some differences in the financial statement. Supervisor Goldsmith said he would check on this and report at the next meeting. Commissioner Bildsoe asked about the cost of heating. These expenditures are running under budget. 12. OTHER BUSINESS The annual public hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is scheduled for next month. 13. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.