HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 09-16-2004MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
September 16, 2004
PRESENT: Commissioners Susan Henderson, Steve Ludovissie, and Tim Bildsoe
ABSENT: Commissioners Jenny Hibbard and Jim Kovach
STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, Office Support Representative
Barb Peterson and Housing Specialist Paula Dorn
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Henderson called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order
September 16, 2004 at 7:02 p.m.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the August 19, 2004 HRA Meeting Minutes.
B. Plymouth Towne Square - Accept monthly housing reports.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, approving the
Consent Agenda items.
Vote. 3 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Section 8 Program. Public Housing Agency Five Year Plan and Annual Plan and proposed
changes to the Administrative Plan.
Housing Specialist Dorn presented an overview of the proposed changes to the Public Housing
Agency Five Year Plan and Annual Plan. Ms. Dorn stated that the Federal Quality Housing and
Work Responsibility Act of 1998 requires housing authorities to advise HUD of their mission
every five years. She said the 2005 Annual Plan and 2005-2009 Five Year Plan updates the
objectives and policies of the Plymouth HRA.
Currently, the Plymouth HRA serves about 400 very -low income families. Housing Specialist
Dorn said our current allocation is 177 vouchers, however, there are 223 vouchers being used by
participants porting in from other areas.
Housing Specialist Dorn explained the two proposed changes to the Annual Plan. The first
proposed change is to increase the amount of minimum rent participants must pay to $50. This
change will decrease the amount of utility reimbursement payments made to the tenant.
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September 16, 2004
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The second change addresses who is eligible to sit on the informal hearing board. It will not
consist of anyone who is directly involved in the decision to terminate assistance, or a
subordinate of that person. The PHA hearing board will consist of the HRA Section 8 Manager
and two other city employees.
Housing Specialist Dorn summarized the procedure for submission of the updated Annual Plan
to HUD.
Chair Henderson opened the public hearing.
Chair Henderson closed the public hearing, as no speakers were present.
Commissioner Bildsoe asked how long people typically remain on Section 8. Housing Specialist
Dorn replied there is not a time limit, however, younger people typically give up their vouchers
sooner than elderly people. She said that about 75% of the people on the program are single
mothers with children. Most of the rest are elderly.
Housing Specialist Dorn indicated HUD is recommending changes to the rules for the Section 8
program that would include a flexible voucher program. This would allow individual HRA's to
have the flexibility to put a cap on how long participants can keep their voucher. She said there
are other changes being considered that would require recipients to live in the City in which they
received their voucher from for a period greater than one year.
Commissioner Bildsoe asked if there is anything that can be done locally to regulate new
proposals being made by HUD. Housing Specialist Dorn replied that it is up to Congress to
make the changes.
Chair Henderson asked how many voucher holders port out. Housing Specialist Dorn stated it
averages around 12 —15 per year.
Commissioner Bildsoe asked if the $50 minimum rent amount is common. Housing Specialist
Dorn said most agencies were at $35 but have raised the amount to $50.
Commissioner Bildsoe asked if the HRA has written our representatives from Plymouth and
suggested writing to Congressman Jim Ramstad. Housing Manager Barnes said staff would
review the proposed Section 8 changes to determine if the HRA should support them and report
back to the HRA Board.
Housing Manager Barnes asked Housing Specialist Dorn to explain the role of the Resident
Advisory Board. Housing Specialist Dorn said it is a panel of five Section 8 participants that are
asked to review and comment on the HRA's Annual Plan. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if
these members are rotated. Housing Specialist Dorn stated we only rotate this group when one
of them leaves the program or moves to another city.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, approving HRA
Resolution 2004-09 and HRA Resolution 2004-10 approving the update to the Public Housing
Agency Annual Plan for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2005, in accordance with applicable
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September 16, 2004
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HUD regulations and a revision to the Minimum Rent Policy and the Informal Hearing
Procedures of the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program Administrative Plan.
Vote. 3 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Verbal Update on Potential Senior Building
Housing Manager Barnes said they are waiting for the market study to be completed in late
September.
An additional HRA meeting will need to be scheduled in October after the market study is
received. Commissioner Bildsoe asked who was doing the market study. Housing Manager
Barnes replied Maxwell Research.
Housing Manager Barnes stated the HRA would be the legal entity to set up the Tax Increment
Financing Redevelopment District for CSM's "Shops at Plymouth Creek". He said staff would
provide a draft TIF documents for the Board to review at the special meeting in October. The
Council will still hold a public hearing, which is tentatively set for November 23rd. He
summarized the tentative schedule for setting up the TIF district.
Commissioner Bildsoe inquired as to how the residents at Plymouth Towne Square like the new
decorating. Housing Manager Barnes said most of the residents are pleased with the changes so
far. Discussion took place regarding the design of a new building.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
HRA/Minutes/09/16/04