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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. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority July 20, 2006 Page 2 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. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority July 20, 2006 Page 3 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 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority July 20, 2006 Page 4