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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 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 20, 2001 Page 2 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 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 20, 2001 Page 3 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 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 20, 2001 Page 4 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