HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 12-02-2004MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
December 2, 2004
PRESENT: Commissioners Susan Henderson, Steve Ludovissie, Jenny Flansburg, Tim
Bildsoe, and Jim Kovach
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, Executive Director Anne Hurlburt
and Office Support Specialist Ranelle Gifford
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Henderson called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order
December 2, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
2. NEW BUSINESS
A. Senior Housing Project. Select an Owners Representative.
Housing Manager Barnes said we received twelve proposals for Architectural services and four
proposals for Owner's Representative services. He said the four proposals for the Owner's
Representative were from Bossardt Corporation, Constructive Ideas, Inc., Dunbar Development
Corporation, and Gockel & Associates. He said the proposals differ in their proposed fees. He
gave an overview of the estimated fees for each company. He said Dunbar Development has the
most experience with housing projects, however their fee was the highest. Gockel & Associates
had the lowest fee, but did not have a lot of housing experience. He said Bossardt Corp. and
Constructive Ideas were fairly similar with their fees and experience. He said based on good
feedback from their current project with the City's Public Safety building, he recommends
Constructive Ideas as the Owner's Representative for the construction of the HRA's new senior
apartment facility.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked if there was a resume for Constructive Ideas. Housing Manager
Barnes said he did not include one in the staff report. He said Bossardt Corp. is a larger
company, which would allow the HRA to draw from a larger pool of employees. He said when
going through the selection process it was a tough decision between Bossardt Corp. and
Constructive Ideas. He said it eventually came down to the fees. Executive Director Hurlburt
said we could go with either company, however we have personal experience with Constructive
Ideas. Commissioner Ludovissie said he just wants to make sure they have the proper
experience. Housing Manager Barnes said the project will have an architect, the owner's
representative, and a building contractor. He said it is key that we have strength in the area of
the architect and the owners representative. Chair Henderson asked if staff would be working
with the Owner's Representative directly. Housing Manager Barnes answered affirmatively.
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December 2, 2004
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He said if money was no object he would recommend Bossardt Corporation. Commissioner
Ludovissie said he doesn't want to compromise the relationship with Constructive Ideas.
Housing Manager Barnes said Constructive Ideas larger projects included government building
expansions and apartments. Chair Henderson asked what we budgeted for this service. Housing
Manager Barnes said about $100,000. Commissioner Flansburg asked if the selection of the
Owner's Representative has any affect on the selection process for the architect. Housing
Manager Barnes said the roles of the two do overlap and we will address these roles in their
respective contacts to limit any duplication of services. He said because we have the luxury of
selecting the Owner's Representative and the Architect there needs to be strength in the two we
select. Commissioner Flansburg asked if we spent more money, would it be better to put that
into the Owner's Representative or the architect. Executive Director Hurlburt said it is not a
trade off as they both have different roles in the project. She said there is a lot of balance
between the different key players in a project like this. Housing Manager Barnes said the
majority of the architects he spoke with are very comfortable working with an Owner's
Representative. Commissioner Ludovissie said ultimately we are looking for experience and
knowledge of the product. Executive Director Hurlburt said the current City project with
Constructive Ideas has been very positive to this point. Commissioner Bildsoe said an extra
20,000 in the scheme of the whole project is minor. He said he would support recommending
Constructive Ideas as the Owner's Representative for this project. Commissioner Kovach said
there needs to be communication between the Architect and the Owner's Representative. He
said the one we select needs to have a lot of past experience with this type of project.
Commissioner Flansburg said Constructive Ideas is already working in Plymouth and may have
a better vision of what we are looking for in this project. Commissioner Ludovissie said he
believes the selection of the Owner's Representative is an extremely important decision to make.
He said we need someone that has the background and experience to deliver the product and
provide cost savings where possible. Housing Manager Barnes said he based his
recommendation on the dollar amount and the fact that we already have a personal working
relationship with Constructive Ideas.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Flansburg, approving
Constructive Ideas for the Owner's Representative for the construction of the HRA's new senior
apartment facility.
Commissioner Ludovissie said he feels the backgrounds of the two companies are not that
similar. He said the familiarity is also an important factor.
Chair Henderson asked on a scale of 1-10, where would staff rate Bossardt Corporation and
Constructive Ideas. Housing Manager Barnes said he would rate them both around a 7.5. He
said either company is going to be a huge benefit to getting this project done. Commission
Flansburg said the only difference she sees is that Bossardt Corporation has done more housing
than Constructive Ideas. She asked if one stands out more than the other because of the type of
project this is. Housing Manager Barnes said that would be more directed towards the architect.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
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December 2, 2004
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3. OLD BUSINESS
A. Willow Creek North & South Apartments. Reconsider action to pursue HUD decision.
Commissioner Bildsoe said the mission of the HRA is to keep affordable housing in Plymouth.
He said we should make contact with the representatives in Washington DC and direct them to
inquire as to the reason it was denied, and secondly to have our congressman lend support to
keep the funding and maintaining this project in Plymouth. He said here is an opportunity to do
something to keep our mission on track. He said he would like to reconsider his previous
decision. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if there is any new information since the last time this
item was heard. Housing Manager Barnes said just the letter from Minneapolis HUD.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, to reconsider the
original vote in regards to pursuing the HUD decision.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Commissioner Ludovissie voted Nay.
Housing Manager Barnes said MFHA received a letter from HUD Minneapolis which was faxed
to our office. That letter stated that because the owner had made the indication that they did not
wish to renew that they were no longer eligible. He said MFHA disagrees with that
interpretation. Executive Director Hurlburt said HUD's explanation of the denial was based on a
technicality. Chair Henderson asked if HUD Minneapolis is making the decision. Housing
Manager Barnes said HUD Washington is making the decision. He said MFHA wrote to HUD
Minneapolis because that is the proper protocol. Chair Henderson said she supports
Commissioner Bildsoe in his desire to reconsider. She said we have an obligation to keep
affordable housing in Plymouth.
Commissioner Ludovissie said we still don't know if this letter identifies the reason for the
denial. He said it seems far fetched that the government rejected it because of a technicality. He
said we made a concerted effort to preserve the affordable housing. He asked how hard do we
press the matter at this point. Housing Manager Barnes said they are asking HUD to reconsider.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked what specifically are we asking staff to do to continue to
support this. Housing Manager Barnes said we would simply be joining in the effort.
Commissioner Ludovissie said he would like to have specific actions. Commissioner Bildsoe
said we are just asking staff to follow up with our congressman and senators and indicate our
interest. Commissioner Flansburg said she agonized over her previous vote and sees this as an
opportunity to reconsider.
Vote on original MOTION to not pursue the HUD decision. 5 Nays. MOTION denied.
Commissioner Flansburg said she feels staff does not need specific direction and that staff is
capable of knowing how much time and effort to put forth in this matter. Commissioner Bildsoe
asked what would be appropriate action given the discussion. Executive Director Hurlburt said
all we would be doing is sending a letter to show the HRA's support of what MFHA is doing.
She said it wouldn't be much more than phone calls or letters. Commissioner Ludovissie said
we still don't know why they were denied. He said he would like to know the reason for the
decision or we are fairly limited to what we do. Director Hurlburt said we could discuss it
further at the next meeting in two weeks. Commissioner Kovach said for everyone's sake, we
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December 2, 2004
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need to know why it was turned down. Commissioner Bildsoe said he would like to move
forward with correspondence showing the HRA' support.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
HRA/Minutes/120204