HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 02-15-2007MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
February 15, 2007
PRESENT: Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Jim Kovach, Jenny Flansburg, Jeff
Kulaszewicz, and Bob Stein
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Steve Juetten, Housing Program
Manager Jim Barnes, HRA Specialist Patty Schaffer, Housing Specialist Paula Dorn,
Office Support Representative Barb Peterson
OTHERS PRESENT: Representatives from CDBG grant agencies.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Ludovissie called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
meeting to order February 15, 2007 at 7:04 P.M.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve January 25, 2007 HRA Meeting Minutes
B. Plymouth Towne Square. — Accept monthly housing reports.
C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing reports.
D. Approve the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) Certification
Submission
MOTION by Commissioner Flansburg, seconded by Commissioner Kulaszewicz,
approving the consent agenda.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Community Development Block Grant. Consider 2007 Action Plan.
Housing Program Manager Barnes introduced HRA Specialist Patty Schaffer. Ms.
Schaffer presented an overview of the CDBG program for 2007, which will begin on July
1, 2007. She stated that the allocation from HUD for 2007 will be approximately
272,208.00. Housing Program Manager Barnes commented on the dollar amounts. He
said that at the time the staff report was prepared the House of Representatives had passed
a resolution funding the CDBG Block Grant for the same amount as 2006. On February
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February 15, 2007
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14, 2007 the Senate passed the same budget so it is now in front of the President for
signature. We expect the amount to remain the same.
Commissioner Ludovissie said he is concerned with how the spending process for the 2006
funds is going. His one concern is to make sure those groups that truly have a need and
utilize and spend the money per the requirements as quickly as possible is our main
objective. He asked for more information regarding this process.
HRA Specialist Schaffer stated that the Housing Rehab Program has three homes in
progress but have not expended any funds at this time. She is projecting that they will be
submitting invoices within the next thirty days. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if there
are committed dollar amounts available for those projects. Ms. Schaffer replied one
application is for $20,000, and the other two approximately $30,000 each. The Small
Repair Grant is for $4,200. She feels interest in the programs will pick up in the spring for
both Rehab and First Time Homebuyer Programs.
HRA Specialist Schaffer said that Community Action has submitted their invoice which
leaves them with a zero balance, as is the case with Homeline. Housing Program Manager
Barnes reminded the Board that these amounts are based on six months into the program
year. He said the winter months traditionally have shown higher balances in accounts and
with the social service agencies it depends on when their accounting departments send out
invoices.
Commissioner Stein asked if fund balances are rolled over into the next year. Housing
Program Manager Barnes said they are and around May
1St there cannot be more than a
total of 1.5 times the grant amount in our federal account. The balance gets rolled over and
stays in the same program at year end.
Commissioner Kulaszewicz commented that the report was very comprehensive and that
HRA Specialist Schaffer prepared it very well.
Commissioner Ludovissie opened the Public Hearing.
Pat Rowan represented PRISM, Elder Express and thanked the HRA for their continuing
support. He explained the difference between Plymouth Dial -A -Ride and their
transportation program. He said they are working on a project to expand their service as
far north as Rogers and as far south as Edina. He said they take many residents to doctor
appointments and also to the food shelf as well as Churches in the area. Commissioner
Stein asked if they provide regular daily service. Mr. Rowan said over 50% are standing
appointments to Courage Center and other facilities. Commissioner Ludovissie asked for
clarification on what type of person uses their program. Mr. Rowan said the majority are
female heads of household. He said about 75% of their riders have an annual income of
0-$10,000 per year. Commissioner Flansburg asked him to share how far the dollars we
provide go in terms of ridership. Discussion took place regarding the cost per ride. He
said the suggested donation is $5.00 per ride but they don't require payment.
Commissioner Stein asked how many riders donate. Mr. Rowan said that those who
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February 15, 2007
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contribute do make a $5.00 donation. He also stated that many who use the service go to
the food shelf and probably don't have the funds to donate for a ride.
Scott Zemke represented Community Action Partnership and thanked the HRA for their
support. He said they provide education for first time homebuyers and for the foreclosure
prevention program. Commissioner Flansburg asked if there was a higher demand at a
certain time of year. Mr. Zemke replied that after Christmas there are many foreclosure
calls and spring has a greater need for first time homebuyer assistance. Commissioner
Kulaszewicz asked how people find out about their service. Mr. Zemke said they work
through emergency service agencies and find out about the Homestretch classes through
the lenders.
Larry Nelson represented YMCA, Point Northwest. He stated he has come before the
Board a number of times and thanked them for their continued support. He said Point
Northwest provides 24 hour crisis intervention for runaway youth. They partner with
PRISM to provide a food shelf for youth 17 and under to help kids get food as well as help
them find housing options. They also provide host homes for short periods of time for
youth with the idea they will go back home or to a more stable environment. One of those
homes is located in Plymouth. Mr. Nelson said they are also planning to communicate
with the Plymouth police regarding homeless youth.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked if they are struggling to use the funds allocated for 2006.
Mr. Nelson stated that he did not believe they were struggling. He told the Board that it is
not always easy to know when a youth is going to need their assistance and he felt they
would meet their goals for the 2006 funding year. Commissioner Flansburg asked if they
ever need to turn anybody away. Mr. Nelson said that every youth has a meeting with a
staff person and is referred to an appropriate source of help. Commissioner Stein asked
how the youth find out about the program. Mr. Nelson said that youth counselors tend to
make referrals. He commented that youth who live in the suburbs seem to have a harder
time seeking help. Commissioner Stein asked what other cities contribute. Mr. Nelson
said that Plymouth is the only city that contributes CDBG funds directly to their program.
Commissioner Stein asked if they work with the school districts. Mr. Nelson said they do.
Commissioner Kulaszewicz inquired as to why we are giving them money again this year
if they didn't meet the goals for 2006. Commissioner Flansburg asked if we are only doing
the two-tier system for YMCA. Housing Program Manager Barnes replied affirmatively.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked what would happen to their program if the $8,000 they
are being given is cut. Mr. Nelson said they would need to look for other ways to make up
the funding. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked if they served nine youth from Plymouth
in the first half could they do nine more in the second half. Mr. Nelson said he believed
they would meet their goal. He also stated that they are beginning to work with the
Plymouth Police department, which would assist them in identifying how many at -risk
youth may be in the community.
Ruth Hogenson-Rutford, Brian Houts and Becky Walker, Executive Director, represented
Family Hope Services. Mr. Houts gave a brief overview of the Treehouse program. He
said the sixth treehouse will be built in Plymouth. He said they have had 30,000 contacts
with kids over the past year and many are struggling for various reasons. He gave some
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February 15, 2007
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examples of the problems kids face and how they have turned out after being in the
program. Treehouse provides safe places for kids to talk over their problems and have
support programs. They also work with families and do trips and activities to put youth in
positions where they can learn and contribute to society. He thanked the City on behalf of
Treehouse and said they appreciate the support. Commissioner Stein asked if the house
was now under construction. Ms. Walker said they have the plans and are hoping to break
ground by fall. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked where the funding will come from for
the Plymouth facility. Ms. Walaker said a group of individuals will be the core and begin a
campaign. Commissioner Flansburg asked if any partnering goes on with the YMCA. Mr.
Houts said they do work with the YMCA and have referred some of the kids they work
with to the YMCA.
Brenda Kiepert-Holtbaus represented Homeline. She said their organization staffs a tenant
hotline to help renters and landlords with legal problems. She thanked Plymouth HRA for
their help. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked how people find out about their program.
Ms. Kiepert-Holtbaus stated that people are reffered to HomeLine from various sources
including the Plymouth HRA. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if they expect the trend to
continue. She said they do. The cities of Minnetonka, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie also
contribute to their funding and last year they received 200 calls from Plymouth.
Commissioner Ludovissie closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Flansburg asked to discuss the two-tier system and if she is correct in
thinking that in December of 2007 if the YMCA has not served 16 youth they would not
receive their funding. Housing Program Manager Barnes said staff will look at the
numbers and evaluate their goals at mid -year. Commissioner Stein asked who sets the
goals. Housing Program Manager Barnes said the agency sets their own goals.
Commissioner Ludovissie feels that it will be a good idea to look at the goals and see if
they are met at the halfway point.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked about the number of applicants and wondered why there
aren't more. Housing Program Manager Barnes explained that we don't do a lot of
advertising because of the limited funding.
Commissioner Flansburg stated that she does not agree with applying the two-tier system
only to the YMCA. She feels it should be applied to every group. Commissioner Stein
said the YMCA is being targeted because they haven't met their goal for the last two years.
Commissioner Ludovissie commented that it would place a handicap on their organization
in that they could lose funding halfway through the year. Housing Program Manager
Barnes said if they did this for every recipient it would not cause much more staff time,
however, it could trigger another public hearing if substantial changes were made to the
funding amounts. If the YMCA is the only organization affected it would not be a large
enough change to facilitate a public hearing. Commissioner Stein asked if the other
agencies have failed to meet their goals in the past. Housing Program Manager Barnes
said the Greater Minneapolis Daycare had a carryover so they received only $1,000 one
year. Commissioner Stein asked Mr. Nelson how the goal of 35 kids was set. He said they
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February 15, 2007
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look at numbers for all cities and set the goal for Plymouth. Commissioner Stein said even
though they are a social service agency they are still a business and should meet their
goals. Commissioner Kovach asked if their allocation should be tabled. Commissioner
Ludovissie explained how the resolution is written. Commissioner Kovach asked how the
funds are released. Housing Program Manager Barnes said they don't get invoiced right
away.
Commissioner Kulaszewicz made a motion to remove the stipulation to the YMCA for the
two-tier contract, cut their funding by $2,000 and give the $2,000 to Family Hope Service.
The motion died for lack of a second.
MOTION by Commissioner Flansburg, seconded by Commissioner Stein, to adopt
Resolution 2007-02 and Resolution 2007-03 recommending to the City Council adoption
of 2007 the CDBG funding.
Commissioner Flansburg asked staff if it would be possible to see updated numbers for
CDBG at the January meeting. She would like more lead time. Housing Program
Manager Barnes said that could be provided.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. HRA Strategic Plan. Discuss update process.
Housing Program Manager Barnes stated that this staff report is an overview of the HRA
Strategic Plan. He said redevelopment could happen on many levels and the City Council
is just beginning the process to provide staff with information on the sites within the city
that they may wish to look at for redevelopment. He said as they get more information
from Planning Commission and City Council he will bring the information forward to the
HRA. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if there will be a way to identify priorities about a
given site. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that once the city identifies the sites
that are important, the HRA could adopt those and look at ways in which they could
contribute. Commissioner Stein said he thinks the present council will have more interest
in redevelopment than past council's have had. He pointed out that the HRA has not
worked on redevelopment of older commercial buildings and would like the HRA to be
more proactive. Commissioner Ludovissie said we have looked at some buildings but they
would be too large a project for the HRA to undertake. Commissioner Ludovissie
suggested starting with some smaller projects. Commissioner Flansburg suggested we
embrace Commissioner Stein's challenge to collaborate with the City Council on
redevelopment. Community Development Director Juetten explained how the process will
work in identifying the areas that need redevelopment. He said that by the end of 2007 we
should know what direction redevelopment will take. Commissioner Stein commented
that the Lowe's site where the new senior building was built is a good example of
redevelopment.
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February 15, 2007
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B. Election of Chair, Vice -Chair and Secretary for 2007.
Commissioner Ludovissie stated there are three positions to fill and asked if anyone would
like to volunteer to serve.
Housing Program Manager Barnes clarified the position duties.
Motion by Commissioner Kovach, seconded by Commissioner Flansburg, nominating
Commissioner Ludovissie for Chair.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved.
Motion by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Kovach, nominating
Commissioner Flansburg for Vice Chair.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved.
Motion by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Kulaszewicz, nominating
Commissioner Kovach for Secretary.
Vote. 5 Ayes. Motion approved.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:10: PM.
HRA/Minutes 2-15-07