HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 07-20-2006MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
July 20, 2006
PRESENT: Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Tim Bildsoe, and Jenny Flansburg. Jim
Kovach arrived at 7:10 p.m.
ABSENT: Chair Susan Henderson
STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, Office Support
Representative Janice Bergstrom
OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Wolters, Constructive Ideas
1. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Bildsoe called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
meeting to order July 19, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve June 15, 2006 HRA Meeting Minutes
B. Plymouth Towne Square. — Accept monthly housing reports.
MOTION by Vice Chair Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, approving the
consent agenda.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved.
A. Vicksburg Crossing — Change Order Request Number 3
Housing Program Manager Barnes gave an overview of the July 10, 2006 staff report.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked what percentage of the project is complete.
Mr. Wolters responded that the building is 60% complete at this time and is looking for a
November 16, 2006 completion date.
Vice Chair Bildsoe asked for detail of Change Order Request #37.
Mr. Wolters explained that the reason for adding sheetrock in the stairwells resulted from
an interpretation of the building code.
Vice Chair Bildsoe asked if any of these change orders could have been anticipated in the
process.
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July 20, 2006
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Mr. Wolters explained that #35 — add panic hardware to electrical rooms -resulted from a
change in code. He said #41 — install sound mat under hard surface floors — resulted from
changes in a manufactured rating. Mr. Wolters said #43 — relocate AC units to garage —
was the result of a change in design of the patio on which two compressors for the AC
were to be placed. These were relocated inside the garage and the conduit and Romex®
needed for this relocation resulted in the $2,977 charge.
MOTION by Vice Chair Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, approving
Change Order Request Number 3.
Vote. 4 ayes. MOTION approved.
There was discussion regarding the change orders which have materialized. Vice Chair
Bildsoe said the HRA is the "customer", and some of the change orders resulted from
inspections conducted by the City's building department. He said it would be a good idea
to have a list of items that needed corrections or were questioned by building inspectors.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said he would request that Building Official Joe Ryan
address the code concerns raised.
B. HRA 2007 Budgets. Review draft budgets.
Housing Program Manager Barnes presented a corrected staff report (3.B.) and noted there
was a date change.
Housing Program Manager Barnes gave an overview of the July 6, 2006 staff report. He
pointed out the main change in CDBG is a dramatic drop in federal funds. Housing
Program Manager Barnes said there is discussion to reorganize how CDBG funds are
allocated which would essentially wipe Plymouth out as an entitlement community.
However, there are too many communities similar to Plymouth who would lose out so
there is not much chance of this occuring.
Housing Program Manager Barnes noted the $21,000 decrease in the HRA General Fund is
primarily because there is no identified housing project for next year. Housing Program
Manager Barnes noted that in budget meetings held, the Administrative Services Director
questioned why the HRA is reducing the levy given the fact they have reduced their
reserves considerably over the past year and a half. He said the City Manager was not in
attendance at the meeting so does not know what her thoughts are on this subject.
Commissioner Flansburg asked about the correlation between federal and state taxes going
down and cities are burdening more local costs that come out of the property tax. She said
in looking at the percentage increase from the prior year with the Vicksburg Crossing
project, and this budget proposes a decrease. She asked if it is a good thing for the HRA,
from a tax perspective, that the tax levy is being reduced.
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Housing Program Manager Barnes said staff tried to present a conservative budget this
year. He said if projects come up, hopefully there will be reserves available, or the timing
could be adjusted.
Commissioner Ludovissie said it is not a question of can you raise the funds, but are they
needed. Commissioner Ludovissie said the focus should be on what the HRA is
effectively doing.
Commissioner Flansburg asked if the gap were adjusted or decreased down to 2%, what
areas of the budget would that be justifiable.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said 2% would be approximately $10,000 additional
and could probably put it the housing loan line item
Vice Chair Bildsoe asked for clarification on the amount in the general fund reserves.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said there is $600,000 in reserves. He said after paying
the upcoming expenses, including the Plymouth Towne Square roof repair, there will be
approximately $400,000 - $500,000 in the reserve account.
Commissioner Flansburg noted the Vicksburg Crossing is a big project and the HRA won't
expect to be involved in a large project like this every year. She said in looking at the
budget, the $500,000 in reserves appears to be moderately healthy.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said in 2007 the Board needs to revisit our strategic
plan, and said previous comments from commissioners were to start looking at
redevelopment and economic development. Housing Program Manager Barnes said he
thinks the reserve is healthy for where the HRA is right now.
Vice Chair Bildsoe said reducing the budget by $25,000 is not a huge deal. He said with
every budget, the Council asks city staff what is needed to deliver the service. Vice Chair
Bildsoe referenced the General Fund and asked why the amount doubled for conferences
and seminars.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said he will be attending a national NAHRO
conference, which he has not attended for five years.
MOTION BY Vice Chair Bildsoe, seconded by Commissioner Flansburg, recommending
that the City Council adopt the 2007 HRA preliminary budget.
Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved.
4. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
HRA/Minutes 7/20/06
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July 20, 2006
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