HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 05-17-2007MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
May 17, 2007
PRESENT: Chairman Steve Ludovissie, Commissioners Jim Kovach, Jenny Flansburg
and Bob Stein
ABSENT: Commissioner Jeff Kulaszewicz
STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes and Office Support
Representative Barb Peterson
OTHERS PRESENT: Vicksburg Crossing Manager Jennifer Monahan, Mr. Mohamed
Roushdy
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ludovissie called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to
order at 7:05 P.M.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve April 19, 2007 HRA Meeting Minutes
B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept monthly housing reports.
C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing reports.
Chair Ludovissie asked to pull Item 2C., Vicksburg Crossing, from the Consent Agenda
and make it Item 3AL
MOTION by Commissioner Kovach and seconded by Commissioner Flansburg to
approve the consent agenda excluding Item 2C.
Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
3. NEW BUSINESS
Al. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing reports.
Commissioner Ludovissie inquired as to whether a marketing plan had been done prior to
the opening of Vicksburg Crossing and if the projections are being met. Vicksburg
Manager Monahan said there are currently 55 occupants which is approximately 60% of
the total building. She said they have been using many different sources for marketing and
have narrowed the advertising down to those which are working best.
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Minutes
May 17, 2007
Page 2
Commissioner Ludovissie asked Housing Program Manager Barnes if a marketing plan
with projections had been done with Grace Management. Mr. Barnes replied there is a
marketing plan and it contains a bonus structure that rewards Grace Management if they
achieve certain occupancy levels. He said Vicksburg Manager Monahan and Grace
Management Representative Boedigheimer put together the marketing plan for advertising.
Ms. Monahan stated that the City of Plymouth newsletter has had the best success. They
are also advertising in the Sun Sailor newspaper and the Senior Housing Guide. She said
they have also put in place a referral bonus plan at the building whereby residents will
receive $100 off their rent at the time their referral moves in. Commissioner Ludovissie
asked whether they are planning any summer promotions. Ms. Monahan said they have
not planned any yet. Commissioner Stein asked about whether they are using the
Lakeshore Weekly News. Ms Monahan said they have not. Housing Program Manager
Barnes said they would look into it. Commissioner Ludovissie stated he is concerned they
do as much marketing as they can to fill the units before fall.
Commissioner Stein asked what the difference was between the E units & E2 units. Ms.
Monahan said the E units have bedrooms next to each other and the E2 units have
bedrooms on either side of the unit. The E2's are located due north and the E's are
northwest and northeast. Commissioner Stein asked if the current housing market has
anything to do with the rental market. Ms. Monahan said it has been a factor but there are
only a few names remaining on the list in this situation. She said they are averaging 5-8
move -ins a month. Commissioner Kovach asked if any tenants have moved out. Ms.
Monahan said there has been one due to a death and another is going to move out due to
respiratory issues and the smoke odor in the building.
A2. First Time Homebuyer Program. Appeal denial for subordination.
HRA Specialist Schaffer presented an overview of the staff report. She said Mr. Roushdy
is here tonight to appeal staffs' decision. Housing Program Manager Barnes asked the
Board if they have any questions. Commissioner Stein asked Housing Program Manager
Barnes to explain the policy further. Mr. Barnes said there is a policy in the guideline
which restricts the use of any cash taken from First Time Homebuyer loans or
Rehabilitation loans that states when taking cash out 20% of that dollar amount can be
used for anything and 80% needs to go back into the home as eligible home improvements.
He said that policy is not being met by Mr. Roushdy. He said any lender has the right to
subordinate or not and the HRA is considered a lender. Mr. Roushdy indicated that repairs
over the past three years have totaled $31,250. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if staff
had received any receipts for work that has been done. Mr. Barnes stated they have not
received verification of those expenses.
Mr. Roushdy stated that he feels his income was calculated wrong and questioned the
difference between moderate and maximum income limits. He said if his income was
calculated correctly it should meet the income guidelines. Discussion occurred regarding
the income guidelines. HRA Specialist Schaffer said he did provide proof of his income
which was higher than the CDBG guideline.
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Minutes
May 17, 2007
Page 3
Commissioner Ludovissie stated that 80% needs to be put back into the home and Mr.
Roushdy is not meeting that guideline.
Mr. Roushdy asked how he could have gotten the subordination back in 2001 using the
same guidelines. Commissioner Ludovissie said that is not the issue before the Board.
Commissioner Stein asked what his options would be. Housing Program Manager Barnes
said he could find a lender who would put the HRA in first place which is unlikely or Mr.
Roushdy could pay the amount owed to the HRA.
Commissioner Stein commented that Mr. Roushdy was also being denied as the monies
from the refinance did not comply with the purpose of the program.
MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie and seconded by Commissioner Kovach to deny
Roushdy's request to subordinate their first time homebuyer second mortgage to a new
loan offered through Countrywide Home Loans.
Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
Housing Program Manager Barnes explained to Mr. Roushdy that if he gets the loan from
Countrywide Home Loans he must pay the City of Plymouth $9,000.
B. Vicksburg Crossing/Plymouth Towne Square. Consider adopting a smoking fee.
Housing Program Manager Barnes stated this item had been tabled from the last meeting
because the Board requested more information.
Commissioner Ludovissie said the $1000 smoking fee would be in addition to the security
fee. Commissioner Stein asked what the normal security deposit amount is. Ms. Monahan
said it is $500. Commissioner Stein asked if staff had considered a no -smoking policy.
Housing Program Manager Barnes said that is something which could be discussed and
implemented. Discussion occurred regarding the smoke problem at the apartment
building. Ms. Monahan said the smoke smell is drifting into the hallways. Commissioner
Stein suggested going smoke free and grandfathering in the people currently living in the
building until the end of their lease. Housing Program Manager Barnes asked if the Board
would like staff to discuss the possible implementation of a smoke free policy with the
City Attorney. The Board concurred.
Vicksburg Crossing Manager Monahan described an air purifier that is used in apartments
to contain the smoke. The cost is approximately $600. Housing Program Manager Barnes
said Grace Management is purchasing two air purifiers and will test them at Vicksburg
Crossing.
MOTION by Commissioner Flansburg and seconded by Commissioner Kovach approving
a smoking fee in the amount of $1,000 for tenants who smoke at HRA owned buildings.
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Minutes
May 17, 2007
Page 4
Commissioner Stein made a friendly amendment changing the smoking distance from the
building to 25'. The last paragraph of the smoking policy will now end with the word
immediately. Commissioner Flansburg seconded.
Vote: 4 Ayes. MOTION passed.
C. Vicksburg Crossing. Review overall project costs and approve Change Orders #6
and #7.
Housing Program Manager Barnes provided an overview of the staff report. He explained
that the remaining $414,580 can remain in the bond construction account to be used for
building improvements or can be transferred to the debt service account and be used to pay
the debt service on the bonds. Commissioner Stein asked to be filled in on why there had
been a time extension for the building. Commissioner Ludovissie explained the process.
MOTION by Commissioner Flansburg, seconded by Commissioner Kovach, approving
Change Order Number 6 in the amount of $39,990 and Change Order Number 7 in the
amount of $24,532.
Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
D. Plymouth Towne Square — Aware Roof/Attic Renovation Contract.
Housing Program Manager Barnes asked the Board to consider a special meeting to
discuss the bids for the Plymouth Towne Square roofing project. Commissioner
Ludovissie asked if the bids have been reviewed. Housing Program Manager Barnes said
staff is currently reviewing the bids. At this point, AllStar Construction is the lowest
bidder.
Housing Program Manager Barnes stated that we need to accept the bid provided by the
lowest responsible bidder. He said staff had estimated $250,000 to $350,000 for the
project, however, others felt it could be $400,000 to $500,000. Commissioner Ludovissie
stated his concern is that the repair work will be done right. Housing Program Manager
Barnes said the Center for Environmental Energy will be monitoring the work.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked when the work would start. Housing Program Manager
Barnes replied it could begin as early as July. A special meeting was scheduled for May
31St
at 6:00 p.m.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.