HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 04-10-2003MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
April 10, 2003
PRESENT: Commissioners Susan Henderson, Steve Ludovissie, Leon Michlitsch, Tim Bildsoe
and Jenny Hibbard
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, Office Support Representative
Barb Peterson
OTHERS PRESENT: Grace Management Representative Jodi Boedigheimer
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Henderson called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order
April 10, 2003 at 7:05 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Bildsoe, approving the
February 20, 2003 minutes.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Plymouth Towne Square — Accept monthly housing reports.
The Commission moved this item to 5C.
4. PUBLIC HEARING — No public hearing.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Election of Officers
The Commissioners discussed the election of officers for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and
Secretary.
MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Hibbard, electing
Commissioner Henderson as Chair, Commissioner Bildsoe as Vice Chair and Commissioner
Michlitsch as Secretary.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
April 10, 2003
Page 2
B. Revised 2003 HRA budget for Grant Awards & Marketing
Housing Manager Barnes began by presenting an overview of the Stone Creek Village apartment
project and said it has been delayed due to a complicated finance package.
Housing Manager Barnes explained that staff had allocated $130,000 from the HRA general
fund's Grant Awards to this project. Due to the delay the project did not close prior to the end of
2002 so the funds were put into the HRA's reserve account. Because this assistance will now be
structured as a loan the funds will be placed in line 7755 (Housing Loans) instead of 7744 (Grant
Awards). He stated there will not be an additional financial impact on the HRA as a result of
transferring the funds.
Housing Manager Barnes explained the second change to the 2003 budget which is for an
increase in postage, printing and publishing. In order to start using outside resources such as the
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's Fix -Up Fund additional marketing will need to take place.
He said the Information Technology Department did a run of properties in the City older than
twenty years and found almost 8,000 properties. Only certain areas or neighborhoods will be
targeted for the mailing. In conversations with the Center for Energy and Environment it was
determined that an extra $2,000 for each category will be needed. He explained the involvement
which the Center for Energy and Environment will have in this project, and said we will
probably enter into a contract with them to administer the program at no cost except the
marketing piece, which they will share in as well. The additional $4,000 will be coming out of
the HRA's reserve account, which has a fund balance of $746,526.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Hibbard, to adopt the revised
2003 HRA General Fund budget.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
C. Plymouth Towne Square common area redecorating options
Chair Henderson asked for questions regarding the Plymouth Towne Square monthly reports.
Commissioner Ludovissie requested an update on the marketing side of financials and asked
what the status of rentals is at this time. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer stated
that there are two two-bedroom units vacant at this time and there will be three more available
soon. Commissioner Ludovissie asked how long they stay on the market. Grace Management
Representative Boedigheimer said it usually takes one to two weeks to turn them. They are
usually vacant about three weeks to a month.
Housing Manager Barnes said the wait list for two-bedroom units is receiving a number of
turndowns. He said 50 applicants were accepted on the wait list when it was last opened and the
list may need to be reopened again soon. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said
postcards are sent to people on the wait list to see if they are still interested and then followed up
by phone calls. Housing Manager Barnes presented background information on the recent
changes at Plymouth Towne Square for the benefit of Commissioner Hibbard. Grace
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April 10, 2003
Page 3
Management Representative Boedigheimer asked if we will address the rents again next year.
Housing Manager Barnes replied affirmatively.
Housing Manager Barnes said that staff had asked Grace Management to assess the areas in need
of redecorating at Plymouth Towne Square. He said some items will be coming up under
replacement reserves such as appliances. He presented various options of approaching the
redecorating. Chair Henderson asked what the dollar amount is in reserves right now. Housing
Manager Barnes said that figure would not be in the Plymouth Towne Square financial
information but would be an internal account.
Commissioner Ludovissie questioned if it would make sense to do the redecorating floor by
floor, possibly a floor each year. Commissioner Bildsoe felt that would not be fair for all the
residents and stated he does not feel there is a budget issue. He feels it is a marketing issue in
which the decorating needs to be kept up for future renting and investment purposes.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked about the replacement of appliances. Housing Manager Barnes
said dishwashers are another item to think about as units do not have them at this time.
Commissioner Hibbard suggested we could hold off on inside apartment repairs and do projects
that would impact the residents all at one time. Commissioner Ludovissie stated he is not so
concerned about competing with other apartments in the area, but is concerned that we have a
very nice place for elderly people to live. Commissioner Michlitsch asked if there is a
substantial reserve for the units themselves. Housing Manager Barnes stated there is
approximately $200,000.00 in reserve accounts.
Housing Manager Barnes said that by trying to keep this project within budget when the building
was constructed, some materials were not of the best quality. Windows, for example, are
difficult to open and close. He said the ultimate solution will be replacement of windows. He
said we need to be aware of those items which will expire before their life is over.
Discussion was held on replacement of the furniture. Commissioner Bildsoe suggested carpeting
the whole building at one time. Commissioner Bildsoe brought up other accessories such as a
new speaker system. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer spoke about the Activity
Room and discussion took place on how changes could be made in that room. Housing Manager
Barnes asked the Board if they would be comfortable letting staff put together some suggestions
for the redecorating. Chair Henderson suggested looking at the whole facility. It was suggested
that the next meeting be held at Plymouth Towne Square so the Board can look at the facility.
Discussion was held on the hiring of a designer. Housing Manager Barnes suggested possibly
the designer could pick out three color boards and present them to the residents. Chair
Henderson summarized the plan.
D. City Center Update
Housing Manager Barnes stated that staff has met with all existing property owners that have
vacant property in City Center at this time. He spoke about the property behind Cub Foods,
which is owned by Carlson Companies, and said they basically build office space and if the city
were interested in going forward they would probably sell the property as opposed to being the
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April 10, 2003
Page 4
developer. John Day, another owner, has one and a half sites incorporating six acres on 37th
Ave. which has the library on one side and the funeral home on the other. He doesn't have any
plans for the land at this time, but the land is very expensive at about $9.50 a foot. The biggest
issue is the funeral home across the street. The site would be surrounded by retail and
commercial uses so it would basically be housing on an island. The fourth lot is where Comcast
has their tower right now. It is on the corner of Vicksburg and Cty. Rd. 9. It would be a good
site for a housing development to occur, however, their tower is in the center of the property.
Housing Manager Barnes said Comcast would look at the cost of moving their facilities if the
City were interested in developing that site. Discussion occurred about the Carlson site. It could
incorporate mixed-use development but would also require a subsidy. Commissioner Bildsoe
said Carlson Companies is used to doing commercial, not residential.
Housing Manager Barnes said another area to look at would be the Dana Spicer building which
is south of Hwy. 55. The City Council has had preliminary discussions regarding this property.
Right now it is zoned industrial and is approximately 27 acres. Housing Manager Barnes said if
the Council wants to move forward on mixed-use development for this site we will bring options
to the HRA at a later date.
Commissioner Bildsoe encouraged the Commissioners to attend the Council meeting on April
29th when CSM will be presenting a plan for the Dana Spicer site.
6. APPROVE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF RELATED
DOCUMENTS BETWEEN THE PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY AND THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR
THE STONE CREEK VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
Housing Manager Barnes stated that the HRA entered into a Cooperation and Initial Agreement
with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to allow 13 Holman units at the Stone Creek
Village apartment project.
As part of this process, the HRA will need to enter into additional documents consisting of the
Housing Development Agreement, Regulatory and Operating Agreement, Property management
Agreement, Disbursing Agreement and Subordination Agreement. Commissioner Ludovissie
asked if they are going to start construction soon. Housing Manager Barnes said they have
environmental issues and soil corrections which need to be addressed prior to actual
construction.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, authorizing the
execution of related documents between the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment authority
and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority for the Stone Creek Village development project.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
April 10, 2003
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7. NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Bildsoe said that one of the goals of the Strategic Plan is economic development.
He stated that he has worked with the City Council regarding the Governor's initiative to support
bio -science or bio -tech companies in Minnesota, of which Plymouth, Eden Prairie and Maple
Grove have the largest number. He has been working informally with state legislators to try and
obtain financial support through partnership with the private sector. On May 12th the Governor
is holding a bio -science conference. Commissioner Bildsoe has spoken with Senator David
Gaither to see if there was a way to bring money to Plymouth. He also talked with another
person who creates business incubators in Columbia Heights and Brooklyn Center and he has
also created about 50 companies in the bio -tech industry. Commissioner Bildsoe would like to
bring this issue to the HRA as he gets more information and would like the person who creates
business incubators to speak at a meeting. Commissioner Bildsoe also spoke about an
organization called Medical Alley which is starting a venture capital or seed fund to help
companies start businesses. Commissioner Ludovissie commented that these types of companies
like to be close to each other. Commissioner Bildsoe concurred and added they also do not move
their locations. Commissioner Bildsoe said the timing is right from the State standpoint.
Motion by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch to adjourn the
meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
HRA/Minutes/041003