HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 12-20-2001MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
December 20, 2001
PRESENT: Chair Susan Henderson, Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Tim Bildsoe, Sandy
Hewitt, Leon Michlitsch and Planning Liaison Mike Stulberg
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, Housing Manager Jim Barnes, and
Office Support Representative Barb Peterson
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order by Chair
Henderson on December 20, 2001, at 7:04 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, to recommend
approval of the November 15, 2001 minutes.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, approving
the Consent Agenda to include the following item:
A. PLYMOUTH TOWNE SQUARE MONTHLY REPORT
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
4A. CITY HOUSING FORUM OPTIONS
Director Hurlburt reported that the City Council has suggested holding a "housing forum" and
inviting interest groups, housing advocates, developers, commission members, and council
members to talk about the City of Plymouth's housing goals. This idea surfaced because some
developers have come through the City process without meeting the goals for affordable housing.
Affordable housing advocates who attend the Planning Commission meetings or City Council
meetings are concerned that the goals are not being met. Director Hurlburt said there is some
lack of understanding and that housing advocates think the city is ignoring the goals, which it is
not. The Council is scheduled to discuss what the event might entail on Jan. 15, 2001, at a
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December 20, 2001
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special study session. Director Hurlburt stated that Housing Manager Barnes and she will be
putting together a draft containing suggestions for the event. She asked for input from the
commissioners as to what ideas they might want included in the program, which can then be
relayed to the Council at the special session.
Commissioner Hewitt said the idea stemed from City Council Members Slavik and Johnson
meeting with affordable housing advocates. They requested a meeting with land developers and
residents, especially those of northwest Plymouth. Director Hurlburt said she and Housing
Manager Barnes met with Commissioners Slavik and Johnson and they are now looking at
holding an educational event. Chair Henderson asked if it would consist of presentations.
Director Hurlburt said her goal for the event is to provide understanding about what is being
done in Plymouth for affordable housing and what more can be done. Commissioner Ludovissie
asked if it would be beneficial for various departments in the City to get together and discuss the
problem. Director Hurlburt stated that she doesn't think the problem is internal. Housing
Manager Barnes said we are looking at many ways to solve the affordable housing issue and it
comes down to dollars and there may be more sources we can tap into. Commissioner Bildsoe
thinks the goals need to be more defined as to what needs to be accomplished. Planning Liaison
Stulberg said if a picture could be painted from the beginning of the process until the end, it
would help toward understanding the process. It was suggested that tax laws could be talked
about. Selling options could be presented which might encourage residents to sell their land
cheaper. Planning Liaison Stulberg suggested working with small numbers so people can easily
understand what components make up the cost of housing.
Director Hurlburt suggested a series of small presentations to provide basic education. Director
Hurlburt stated that some of the current issue stems from the "Reserve", a new housing
development in Plymouth. Housing advocates feel that the City abandoned its housing goals
because we did not require affordable apartments in that project, however, she indicated the
Reserve has 20% of the ownership housing affordable to households at or below 80% of the
median income. She also indicated that the housing advocates were upset that Rottland did not
sell the property to an interested non-profit developer and stated that we cannot force property
owners to sell their land to a nonprofit organization.
Commissioner Bildsoe asked when the event would take place and Director Hurlburt replied it
would be held at the Plymouth Creek Center and would probably be late February or early
spring. Commissioner Ludovissie suggested keeping the event as simple as possible. Planning
Liaison Stulberg suggested having an impartial person give the presentation. Director Hurlburt
stated the City has used a facilitator in the past and we could certainly look into that option.
411. PLYMOUTH TOWNE SQUARE — UPDATE ON ROOF ISSUE
Housing Manager Barnes stated that some progress has been made on the roof problem at
Plymouth Towne Square. Walker Management is now looking into the problem more
thoroughly. He explained what has been done in the past to try and correct the situation with ice
dams forming, which causes water to back up and enter apartments. Following an inspection by
a heat thermographer, who went through the building identifying hot and cold spots, a
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recommendation was made to install electrical heat tape. It is expected the heat tape would last
approximately 15 years. Walker has received bids for the Heat Tape ranging from $16,500 to
35,000. The best option would be to run the new electrical service up the exterior of the
building, which reduces the cost somewhat. A bid was received today for the cost of heat tape
for $6,357, which added to the $10,000 labor bid comes to $16,357.
Housing Manager Barnes received a bid from Sela Roofing to take care of the other roof issue,
which effected Unit 206. They proposed building a saddle to divert the water away from the
area. Their bid was for $2,200 and was the only bid received due to the size of job. They would
also remove some siding to install flashing and would also install the heat cable clips. A total of
5,080 is what they bid for this project.
Housing Manager Barnes explained that because so many people have been walking in the attic
the insulation has gotten packed down so additional insulation will need to be added at some
point and a cat walk system created for future access. Commissioner Ludovissie asked whether
the HRA or Walker has consulted with an engineering firm other than Walker's people. Director
Hurlburt said they have and basically the design of the roof is the problem.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Hewitt, approving the roofing
bid from Sela and authorizing staff to select one of the two low bids for the heat tape installation.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
4C. PLYMOUTH TOWNE SQUARE — UPDATE ON MANAGEMENT TRANSITION
Housing Manager Barnes stated that there are about 10 days left before Grace takes over the
management of Plymouth Towne Square. He said the bank accounts are in the City control and
they will be moved to Anchor Bank. They will be placed in Grace's name but anything over
10,000 will require a signature by the City.
4D. POSSIBLE HRA INVOLVEMENT WITH HOMES ACQUIRED FOR THE
HIGHWAY 101 PROJECT
Housing Manager Barnes gave an update on the Highway 101 construction project. He said City
staff and Council Members Hewitt and Johnson are looking at ways in which to dispose of the
eight properties, which were purchased by the City and Hennepin County. Some will sell
quickly, some need a little work and three to four need a lot of work.
Interfaith Outreach had expressed an interest in acquiring a couple homes. One house has been
identified as a possibility to offer IOCP. It has a value of $189,000. IOCP has committed
30,000 towards rehabilitation and the write-down of the mortgage. The homebuyer selected
would meet the criteria for the First Time Homebuyer Program, which allows $20,000 in a
second mortgage to reduce the size of the first mortgage. Commissioner Bildsoe asked how
much we have in First Time Homebuyer funds. Housing Manager Barnes responded that he
believes we have approximately $130,000 in uncommitted 2001 and 2002 funds. Commissioner
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December 20, 2001
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Michlitsch asked if the homes are to be moved. The answer was no. Director Hurlburt said the
City is keeping one house. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if it's movable. Director Hurlburt
said they would be very difficult to move.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Hewitt, approving setting aside
20,000 from the First Time Homebuyer Program to be used by Interfaith Community
Partnership in assisting a homebuyer to acquire one of the properties the City acquired as a result
of the Highway 101 Reconstruction Project.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
4E. SUBMISSION OF A CONSOLIDATED RFP APPLICATION FOR THE TOWN
AND COUNTRY HOMES HARVEST HILLS DEVELOPMENT
Housing Manager Barnes stated that Town & Country Homes are developing 166 units on a
40.44 acre site located east of Peony Lane and north of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Staff
would like to submit an application for approximately $100,000 to the Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency for affordability gap assistance in this development. Staff is suggesting the use
of $125,000 in local funds as leveraged funding. The more leverage you have the higher you
score. For local funds, staff is interested in setting aside $60,000 of 2001 and 2002 First Time
Homebuyer program funds for purchasing units within this development, and will identify the
other sources as the proposal progresses.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Hewitt, authorizing the
submission of an application to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's Consolidated Request
for proposal for gap assistance at Harvest Hills.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:05
HRA/Minutes/12/20/01