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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. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority September 16, 2004 Page 2 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 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority September 16, 2004 Page 3 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