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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 11-15-2007MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY November 15, 2007 PRESENT: Chairman Steve Ludovissie, Commissioners Jeff Kulaszewicz, Jim Kovach, Bob Stein and Jenny Flansburg (arrived at 7:00 p.m.) ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes and Office Support Representative Barb Peterson OTHERS PRESENT: Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ludovissie called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 6:08 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve September 20, 2007 and October 18, 2007 HRA Meeting Minutes B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept monthly housing reports. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing reports. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked why the Profit and Loss Variance report for Plymouth Towne Square shows minus $16,409 under Reserve/Replace Capital Expense. Housing Program Manager Barnes said the amount was for part of the roofing expense. Commissioner Kulaszewicz inquired about the Unit Turnover Repairs line for Plymouth Towne Square and commented that it could be over budget by the end of the year. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that line item is hard to predict as the number of move -outs is not known when the budget is approved. Commissioner Kulaszewicz inquired why the Sec Deposit Cash Account under Assets on the Vicksburg Crossing balance sheet and Security Deposits under Long -Term Liabilities do not match. Housing Program Manager Barnes said the number could be a typo and a revised September statement will be issued. MOTION by Commissioner Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Kovach, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority November 15, 2007 Page 2 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Vicksburg Crossing. Marketing Update — Grace Management Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer asked the Board if they wanted her to review the entire report or answer specific questions. The Board stated that it would be easier to just answer specific questions. Commissioner Ludovissie asked for a profile of the 75 names on the interest list. Ms. Boedigheimer said it is a mixed group, however, the applicants are not at the low end of the monthly income scale. Commissioner Ludovissie asked why the 850 square foot unit does not seem to be renting. Housing Program Manager Barnes said we have twenty four of that style which is the most of any type. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if it would be possible to lower the rents. Discussion took place regarding the comparative buildings rent study and whether to lower the rents. Housing Program Manager Barnes said the study shows we are on the higher side but Vicksburg Crossing is much newer than most of the comparible properties. He said lower rents would have an affect for the next 30 years because of how the bond issue was structured. Commissioner Ludovissie said there is nothing that would preclude us from adjusting rents in the future. He feels we don't need to make a rash decision but need to be creative. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said the lack of a walk-in shower in the units is one hinderance to renting. Commissioner Stein said that should be able to be fixed. Discussion occurred regarding changing the bathtubs into showers. Ms. Boedigheimer said the two -bedrooms have a walk-in shower. Housing Program Manager Barnes said staff will look into the cost of cut-outs for showers or replacing tubs with showers. Commissioner Ludovissie brought up the lack of an activities room. Housing Program Manager Barnes said there is a two-bedroom unit above the community room which does not have a good view and discussion took place regarding turning the unit into an activity room. Other ideas for that unit were also discussed such as lowering the rent on that unit. Ms. Boedigheimer said a resident meeting is scheduled for next week and a survey was sent out to all residents so there will be feed -back from the meeting as to the need for an activity room. Commissioner Stein suggested making some of the 850' units affordable. Housing Program Manager Barnes said staff could do a study to see what the figures would look like if affordable units were added. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer asked what would happen with the current residents who would qualify for affordable units. Discussion took place regarding the current housing sales market and different types of incentives that could be offered. Commissioner Stein said his preference would be to lower rents. Commissioner Ludovissie inquired as to how the property image would be affected if it takes too long to fill. Housing Program Manager Barnes said we are losing $10,000 a month now. He explained how the rents are structured to meet the bond requirement. Commissioner Ludovissie Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority November 15, 2007 Page 3 asked how the dynamics of the building would be affected over time if units are made affordable. Housing Program Manager Barnes suggested that a new proforma could be done. Commissioner Stein suggested doing many different comparisons. Commissioner Ludovissie felt it was time to review the proforma. Commissioner Stein suggested doing it in house. Commissioner Ludovissie said it doesn't need to be too in depth. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked if it is possible to create more affordable units and get funding from another source. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that is difficult to do once a program has been put in place. Commissioner Kovach feels our building is not having more difficulty renting units than any other building in the area. Commissioner Ludovissie asked about the unit for activity room. Commissioner Kulaszewicz said he is in favor of converting it to an activity room. Discussion took place regarding the fireplace stack that interferes with the view for the unit. Housing Program Manager Barnes said he will look into the fireplace to see if something can be done about it. Discussion took place regarding the sign for the building. Commissioner Kulaszewicz commented on the descriptor tag line on the sign and recommended doing it. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer gave a brief update on the open house. She said many people looked at the units but are not interested for 6-12 months. MOTION by Commissioner Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Kovach, approving the Vicksburg Crossing marketing update with the addition approving putting a "descriptor tag line" on the Vicksburg Crossing sign. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B. HRA December Meeting. Housing Program Manager Barnes discussed cancelling the December meeting and also to move the regular meeting to the 4th Thursday of the month. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Kovach, approving the cancellation of the December 20, 2007 meeting. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. MOTION by Commissioner Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Kovach, changing the regular meeting night to the fourth Thursday of each month. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M.