HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 01-19-2006MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
January 19, 2006
PRESENT: Chair Susan Henderson, Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Tim Bildsoe, and Jenny
Flansburg
ABSENT: Commissioner Jim Kovach
STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes
and Office Support Representative Barb Peterson.
OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Wolters from Constructive Ideas, Link Wilson from Miller Hansen
Partners, Grace Management Representatives Jodi Boedigheimer and Eugene Grace.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Henderson called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order
January 19, 2006 at 7:05 P.M.
Housing Program Manager Barnes stated there is a replacement for Item 3A.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve December 15, 2005 HRA Meeting Minutes
B. Plymouth Towne Square. — Accept monthly housing reports.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Flansburg, approving the
consent agenda.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
A. 2006 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan
Housing Program Manager Barnes introduced HRA Specialist Jones. Ms. Jones presented an
overview of the CDBG program for 2006, which will begin on July 1, 2006. She stated that our
funding for the coming year is $30,686.00 lower than we had anticipated leaving an amount for
2006 of $272,208.00.
HRA Specialist Jones stated that $107,229.50 would go into Housing Rehabilitation Grant/Loans
and $107,229.50 would go into First time Homebuyer Assistance Programs. The balance of
57,749.00 is recommended for public service activities to be divided between seven agencies.
Chair Henderson opened the Public Hearing
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January 19, 2006
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Larry Nelson, representing YMCA and Point Northwest thanked the HRA for their ongoing
support.
Commissioner Bildsoe asked Mr. Nelson what their relationship is with Prism and Interfaith
Outreach. Mr Nelson said Prism and Interfaith work with older adults and families and the
YMCA and Point Northwest work with younger ages, hopefully preventing them from needing
help when they are older. He also stated that they receive referrals from PRISM and Interfaith.
Greg Ritter and Audrey Murry represented Family Hope Services. Mr. Ritter thanked the HRA
for their previous and continuing support. He gave a summary of the Treehouses located
throughout the metro area. He then introduced Audrey Murry, who will be the director of the
new Treehouse in Plymouth, which will be Treehouse Number 6. Ms. Murry explained how the
Treehouse program works.
Chair Henderson asked what age group their agency serves. Ms. Murry replied it is for junior
high youth.
Michael Vraa represented Home Line and thanked the HRA for their ongoing support. He stated
that the City of Plymouth was the first city that provided them funding and now there are seven
cities which they receive funding from. He said that he speaks at schools to teach youth how to
be responsible renters.
Scott Zemke represented Community Action for Suburban Hennepin County (CASH) and
thanked the HRA for their support.
Chair Henderson closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Bildsoe made a suggestion to move $1,000.00 from the First Time Homebuyer
Assistance Program line to Family Hope Services. He said he feels they make a large investment
in our community and are building a Treehouse in Plymouth.
MOTION by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Flansburg, recommending that
the City Council authorize the City Manager to apply for 2006 Community Development Block
Grant funds totaling approximately $272,208.00 from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development with a change to move $1,000.00 from the First Time Homebuyer
Assistance Program line to Family Hope Services.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved.
4. OLD BUSINESS
A. Vicksburg Crossing. Grace Management Proposal for Management Services
Housing Program Manager Barnes stated that this item had been tabled from last month. He said
that Grace Management has managed Plymouth Towne Square for the past four years and staff
feels they have done a good job working with staff and the residents. He said that Grace
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January 19, 2006
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Management has submitted a proposal to manage Vicksburg Crossing and have provided two
options for compensation.
Grace Management Owner Eugene Grace presented an overview of their services and described
the differences between Option 1 and 2.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked if it would be possible to get a copy of the draft management
contract once it has been prepared. Mr. Grace said they could provide a copy. Discussion
occurred regarding the two options. Housing Program Manager Barnes said the project is about
six weeks behind right now. Mr. Wolters commented that was due to some bad soil on the site.
Commissioner Ludovissie requested that a way to discontinue the contract be written into the
contract if we should become unsatisfied with their leasing. Mr. Grace said they would not have
any problem with that.
Chair Henderson asked about delayed schedules causing additional fees. Mr. Grace stated that
once they start marketing, hiring, etc. Grace Management will need to be paid. He suggested
pushing the starting date ahead further. Housing Program Manager Barnes said one full-time
staff person will be added and will be shared between Vicksburg Crossing and Plymouth Towne
Square. He said the intent is to bring the person on earlier so they become familiar with the
operation at Plymouth Towne Square.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked for a 60 -day notice of termination and would like to tie the
agreements together for both buildings. Mr. Grace said there should be two separate contracts
but be similar. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if the agreement provides for monthly updates
to the Board throughout the year. Mr. Grace responded affirmatively.
Commissioner Flansburg asked to talk about the differences between Option 1 and 2. Director
Hurlburt said Option 2 would cost more up front, but if the building leases up faster it would be a
savings when the building opens.
Chair Henderson asked when it would be wise to begin marketing. Grace Management
Representative Boedigheimer said typically they begin marketing about 6 months before the
building opens by targeting the interest list and sending monthly mailings to those on the interest
list. Mr. Grace said momentum could be lost if the process begins too soon. Ms. Boedigheimer
said face-to-face networking works best.
MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Bildsoe, stating that the
HRA Board prefers Option 2.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said he would bring a draft copy to the HRA Board in
February.
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January 19, 2006
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5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Vicksburg Crossing. Construction Proposal Requests
Housing Program Manager Barnes presented an overview of the January 19, 2006 staff report.
Chair Henderson asked to separate Change Order #2 from the rest of the proposals. Discussion
occurred about the gas piping but the Board consensus was to leave it in and approve Change
Order #2.
Motion by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie to accept Change
Order #2 as proposed.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved.
Commissioner Bildsoe stated the proposal request numbers that he would suggest approving.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said he is recommending not doing the gutters for the first
year to see how the building performs and then attach them later if necessary. Mr. Wolters said
the downspouts could cause a problem as well. Commissioner Flansburg stated she agrees to
wait with gutters.
Mr. Grace provided recommendations for the features he would suggest including as marketing
tools. Discussion occurred regarding fireplaces. Mr. Wilson suggested doing approximately
twelve fireplaces in certain areas.
Commissioner Ludovissie suggested doing numbers 10 & 11 for the brick. Mr. Wilson did say
the brick might take extend the construction period. The Board concurred.
Motion by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Flansburg recommending
proposal #10 & #11 adding brick.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved.
Chair Henderson inquired about what type of trim will be used in the units. Mr. Wilson said it
would match the cabinet color.
Commissioner Ludovissie commented about the generator and feels because it is a senior
building and taking into consideration the number of power outages it is needed. Mr. Wilson
also added that the generator would run the elevator. Director Hurlburt said there is a generator
at Plymouth Towne Square.
Chair Henderson suggested that Mr. Wilson look at which apartments to put fireplaces into. This
item was tabled until the February meeting.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said the options chosen by the Board total approximately
410,483.58 including the brick and not including the fireplaces, which will be added later.
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January 19, 2006
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Commissioner Bildsoe asked about considering a flat screen TV in the lobby area. Mr. Wilson
said it could be incorporated into the design.
Motion by Commissioner Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie to accept Proposal
Requests items #2a, #5, #6, #8, #14, #15, #16, #18, #10, and #11.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved.
6. ADJOURMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
HRA/Minutesl/19/06