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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. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 2, 2004 Page 2 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. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 2, 2004 Page 3 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 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 2, 2004 Page 4 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