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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 04-18-2002MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY April 18, 2002 PRESENT: Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Sandy Hewitt and Leon Michlitsch ABSENT: Chair Susan Henderson and Commissioner Tim Bildsoe STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, Housing Manager Jim Barnes, HRA Specialist Tracy Jones 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 Vice Chair Ludovissie on April 18, 2002 at 7:02 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, recommending approval of the March 21, 2002 minutes. Vote. 3 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously. 3. CONSENT AGENDA A. Plymouth Towne Square Monthly Report MOTION was made by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, approving the Consent Agenda. Vote. 3 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously. DISCUSSION ON PLYMOUTH TOWNE SQUARE MEETINGS Housing Manager Barnes explained the process that staff used to convey changes to the rent structure and policies to residents at Plymouth Towne Square. He said three meetings were held which were well attended by the residents. Director Hurlburt stated the discussion of items related to medical deductions seemed to be the topic that caused the most concern with the residents. Director Hurlburt said that only about half of the residents have enough medical expenses above the 3% threshold to be used as deductions. Director Hurlburt stated that the majority of residents had no problem with the new rent structure, however, the asset calculation being changed to 5% was of concern to a few residents. Commissioner Hewitt asked how it would be handled if residents transferred assets. Housing Manager Barnes said they would use Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority April 18, 2002 Page 2 the market value for two years after the transfer towards the asset calculation, which is included as income. Director Hurlburt also mentioned a meeting was held for single residents living in two bedroom units. Direct Hurlburt indicated that for the most part the residents received this policy change with little objection. She said there are some tenants that may need to stay in a two bedroom unit due to handicapped issues. Commissioner Hewitt asked how many handicapped accessible apartments there are at Plymouth Towne Square and questioned if we need to make more apartments handicapped accessible in the future. Commissioner Ludovissie stated that the mission of the building is independent living and how far we want to extend that will need to be discussed in the future. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Plymouth Towne Square. Opening of the waiting list for two bedroom units. Housing Manager Barnes said the opening of the wait list for two bedroom units had been discussed at previous meetings and with the new policy changes a number of two bedroom units will open up as those residents move into one bedroom units. Housing Manager Barnes stated that the transition for singles residing in two-bedroom units should begin within the next month. Housing Manager Barnes updated the Board about the current waiting list and indicated that all eligible applicants had been contacted about vacant units and had opted not to rent at Plymouth Towne Square at this time. Director Hurlburt explained the process that would be used in opening the waiting list for two bedroom units. She said we would advertise within the Plymouth area, using the Sun Sailor, flyers and the City's web page. The wait list will be open for one or two days and interested parties can call in and request an application or stop at City Hall and pick one up. Commissioner Hewitt asked if the wait list at Plymouth Towne Square is separated between one and two bedrooms. Director Hurlburt said they are not kept separate. However, the number of bedrooms needed and for which they would qualify is identified by the number of household members on the application. Director Hurlburt said the wait list will be handled similar to the Section 8 voucher list, however, the HRA can set their own guidelines. Housing Manager Barnes explained how people are removed from the waiting list. He said that after they have been offered an apartment three times, they are removed from the list. He said there are 78 names on the list now and 21 are eligible for two bedrooms. Director Hurlburt stated that there will not be any one bedroom units available for rent from the waiting list for quite some time due to the fact that the two bedroom residents will be moving into the one bedroom units as they become vacant. MOTION by Commissioner Michlitsch, seconded by Commissioner Hewitt, authorizing staff to open the Plymouth Towne Square waiting list according to the guidelines in the memo dated April 10, 2002. Vote. 3 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously. B. Explore funding option for properties subject to the right of first refusal clause Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority April 18, 2002 Page 3 Housing Manager Barnes explained that Commissioner Bildsoe had requested this staff report to be prepared and asked the commissioners present if they wanted to discuss this topic tonight or table it until the next meeting when Commissioner Bildsoe was present. Commissioner Ludovissie suggested that we go over the report and if there are any questions, staff can research them and add them to the report for the next meeting. Commissioner Ludovissie asked what the time frame was for repayment once we purchase the unit. Housing Manager Barnes said it would probably be a 90 day time frame, and explained that the approval process for potential buyers takes quite awhile to complete given the fact they may have credit issues. Commissioner Ludovissie asked how critical the reserve amount is that the City wants to maintain. Director Hurlburt said it depends on the timing of when we receive property tax revenues. Housing Manager Barnes said there may be other factors, which may occur such as holding the property longer than anticipated, that would tie up these funds and could create some cash flow issues. Commissioner Hewitt said she felt the HRA may want to take the risk. Commissioner Michlitsch asked if the HRA doesn't exercise our right to purchase the property can the owner sell it at market value. Housing Manager Barnes said there is an income restriction limit. At the Village at Bassett Creek if the HRA does not purchase the home, the owner is charged a penalty to remove the covenants from the property. Commissioner Ludovissie felt that it is a nice vehicle without a lot of subsidy. Director Hurlburt suggested that an equity loan might be used as a short term financial tool and suggested talking with a bank about the feasibility of this action. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if the council would need to approve it. Director Hurlburt said the board has the authority to do this without City Council action. Discussion was tabled until the next meeting. 5. OTHER BUSINESS Housing Manager Barnes stated that Grace Management has been tying their monthly narrative to the financials of the same month and asked if that is how the Board wants it to be done. Commissioner Hewitt said she likes them to match. Commissioner Ludovissie suggested that Grace Management be represented at the Board meetings occasionally. Commissioner Hewitt felt they should be at every meeting. Director Hurlburt said if we had anything pertaining to Plymouth Towne Square on the agenda, then they should be at the meeting. Discussion was held regarding helping the tenants move from two bedroom units to one bedroom units. Director Hurlburt said the caretakers of the building would be used to help with the move. 5. ADJOURMENT MOTION by Commissioner Michlitsch, seconded by Commissioner Hewitt, adjourning the meeting at 7:50 p.m. HRA/Minutes/4/18/02