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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 03-18-2004MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY March 18, 2004 PRESENT: Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Leon Michlitsch, and Tim Bildsoe ABSENT: Commissioners Susan Henderson and Jenny Hibbard STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, Office Support Representative Barb Peterson OTHERS PRESENT: Grace Management Representative Jodi Boedigheimer 1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Bildsoe called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order March 18, 2004 at 7:13 p.m. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of the February 19, 2004 HRA Meeting Minutes. B. Plymouth Towne Square - Accept monthly housing reports. C. Proclaim April as Fair Housing Month. MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, approving the Consent Agenda items. Vote. 3 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously. Housing Manager Barnes indicated that four additional items will be added to the agenda. They are the transfer of PTS Reserves to the HRA General Fund Reserves, Willow Creek North & South Apartments, Satellite Dish Policy for Plymouth Towne Square, and the repurchase of a townhome which the HRA has assisted with and have Declaration of Restrictive Covenants on. Commissioner Bildsoe asked for a brief update regarding the interior improvements scheduled for Plymouth Towne Square. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said bids have been received which total approximately $60,000 for the first floor and she explained the various bids. She stated that the first floor would be the most expensive because that is where the majority of the furniture is in the common areas. Housing Manager Barnes suggested that sample boards of paint colors, fabrics, carpet, and wallpaper be put together for viewing by the Commissioners at the April meeting. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 18, 2004 Page 2 Commissioner Bildsoe inquired whether the lighting has been replaced. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said it has not, but improved bulbs have been installed which brighten up the areas. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Update on City owned property at the southwest corner of Northwest Boulevard and Schmidt Lake Road. Housing Manager Barnes gave an update on the status of the property at Northwest Boulevard and Schmidt Lake Road regarding what transpired at the City Council Meeting on March 9, 2004. The City Council approved going forward with the sale of the property and requested staff to issue Request for Development Proposals (RFP) for the site. He stated that staff has mailed out approximately 100 notices to residential contractors and developers with information explaining how to request an RFP packet. Housing Manager Barnes stated the original offer of 123,000, by the HRA, may not be high enough to be competitive in the RFP process and if the HRA did consider preparing an RFP, they would need to partner with a developer. Housing Manager Barnes asked the Board to discuss various options and provide direction to staff. Commissioner Ludovissie stated he feels the HRA should not prepare an RFP at this time. Commissioner Michlitsch agreed with Commissioner Ludovissie. Commissioner Bildsoe stated he would like to pursue the RFP because that is the purpose of the HRA, but feels it might be better to try and partner with the buyer of the property. Commissioner Bildsoe stated that he feels the City Council has an obligation to the residents to get the most money they can for the property at this time to be used toward infrastructure improvements. MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, that the HRA does not submit an RFP proposal, but consider financial participation with the buyer of the property. Vote. 3 Ayes. Motion passed unanimously. B. Transfer of PTS Reserves into HRA General Reserves. Housing Manager Barnes said that at the April HRA meeting there will be a request to transfer funds out of the PTS operating account into the HRA general fund reserve account. He said there is a little over a $1,000,000 in the operating account which is more than Plymouth Towne Square needs for their operating reserves. This would allow the HRA to utilize the funds for other projects. Housing Manager Barnes said he will work with the Finance Department to determine the balance which could be maintained in the Plymouth Towne Square operating account. Commissioner Bildsoe asked what that amount would be. Housing Manager Barnes said approximately $250,000 would be kept in the PTS reserve fund. C. Willow Creek Apartments North & South Housing Manager Barnes explained that these apartment buildings which are owned by Ted Bigos, have 24 project -based Section 8 units within each building and the HUD contracts have expired. Mr. Bigos has given notice that he does not intend to renew the contracts, so the HRA Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 18, 2004 Page 3 is working with MHFA to preserve those units. Housing Manager Barnes explained that to get Mr. Bigos to renew his contract for a five year minimum it will require an equity contribution by the HRA and MHFA. Mr. Bigos has set his price at $1,000,000 to keep the project -based units for five years. The MHFA has countered with $750,000. Housing Manager Barnes explained the process and said that staff feels with the transfer of the PTS funds that the resources are available to partner with MFHA. He stated the investment is less than $5,000 per unit. In April a request will be brought to the HRA Board to commit $200,000 to this project. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if it will be a loan. Housing Manager Barnes said it is and will be structured to coincide with MHFA's loan. Commissioner Bildsoe asked if the HRA can put a lien on the property. Housing Manager Barnes responded affirmatively. D. Satellite Policy for Plymouth Towne Square. Housing Manager Barnes said he will send a letter to Grace Management and residents stating that until a policy regarding satellite dishes is established, the residents will no longer be allowed to place satellite dishes on the roof. E. Purchase of a Home From a First Time Homebuyer. Housing Manager Barnes stated that a first time homebuyer is having a problem selling his unit which has restrictive covenants on it. The home is located in The Reserve. Discussion occurred regarding the purchase of the home by the HRA. Following the discussion it was decided that the HRA would not pursue the purchase of the home at this time. 4. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. HRA/Minutes/03/18/04