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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 12-18-2008MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY December 18, 2008 PRESENT: Chairman Steve Ludovissie, Commissioners Jeff Kulaszewicz, Paul Caryotakis, Penny Hatcher, and Bob Stein STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes and Office Support Representative Chele Kovacevick OTHERS PRESENT: Grace Management Representative Jody Boedigheimer 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ludovissie called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from October 23, 2008. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept monthly housing reports. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept monthly housing reports. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked about the occupancy rate at Vicksburg Crossing as reported in the November marketing report. There was not any indication of move out activity to accommodate the new move ins. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer explained that the effective date of the chart may not coincide with the date the marketing reports are actually generated. The reporting periods are different for the reports, the attachments and the charts. The correct occupancy for Vicksburg Commons at the end of November is only a difference of one. Going forward, Housing Program Manager Barnes recommended that the information be tied to an end of month closing date so that the written report matches the chart. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer noted the discrepancy and remarked that it will be corrected by the January meeting which will be held the fourth Thursday in January. Chairman Ludovissie asked if the security deposit account is reconciled monthly or yearly. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer responded that it is reconciled monthly but the money is not necessarily transferred out of the account each month, but rather on a yearly basis. The year end for accounting purposes is June 30th. Housing Program Manager Barnes offered to resend a related e-mail to Chairman Ludovissie's attention. MOTION by Commissioner Hatcher, seconded by Councilmember Stein, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 18, 2008 Page 2 Commissioner Hatcher remarked that she appreciated the crime free multi -housing meeting and its' timeliness. There was a recent incident of an unauthorized person entering the garage at Vicksburg Crossing. There are cameras on site and there is discussion of moving a nearby pine tree to remove any cover for potential unwanted guests. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Vicksburg Crossing. Marketing Update. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer stated that there is one new move in scheduled for January, 2009 and that the office is still getting inquiries and tours even in this uncertain market. One resident at the property passed away this month after sustaining a fall. That unit has been rented effective February 1 st We will be sponsoring a "Casino Night" that will be held in late February or early March at the Hopkins Senior Center in order to generate more visibility for the property. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer remarked that the service -driven market has dropped perhaps 2% nationwide, and the independent sector has suffered even more, perhaps as much as a 4% downturn. According to Housing Program Manager Barnes the Elm Creek project proposed by Erikson Communities has been pulled back as a result of the market changes. Trillium Woods has communicated that they will be proceeding this spring with requests for building permits. According to Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer there may be as many as four to five vacancies anticipated at Plymouth Towne Square in the coming spring months due to the aging of the resident population. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer reported that 10 or 12 residents attended the 55 Alive class co-sponsored by AAA Clubs of America. The lateness of the event may have influenced the low attendance. There is at least one event planned on average each month with the exception of the month of March. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked if the results of the resident survey will be made available to the Board. According to Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer the results will be available to the Board. He also asked if the handrails leading up to the building are being viewed as a safety or convenience feature. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that this issue is being driven by just a few resident inquiries, out of convenience rather than safety concerns. The steps are gradual and are poured on -grade as a terrace with an occasional riser. Commissioner Kulaszewicz recommended that the Board obtain a bid to install railings at all exterior changes of elevation. B. HRA Reserve Accounts. Housing Program Manager Barnes said the City purchased a new financial software program and it was implemented live about one month ago. The HRA's Affordable Housing account has Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority December 18, 2008 Page 3 lingered as an old account within the system and is not required by statute to be separate from other accounts for the HRA. Housing Program Manager Barnes and Executive Director Juetten have considered transferring the balance of funds from that account into the Vicksburg Crossing account. Housing Program Manager Barnes recommends that $164,036.00 from the Affordable Housing account be transferred into the Vicksburg Crossing Debt Sinking fund. Commissioner Kulaszewicz asked if Debt Sinking funds can be merged with other Towne Square funds. Housing Program Manager Barnes replied no. Commissioner Stein asked what other options might be available for the transfer of these same funds. According to Housing Program Manager Barnes they can go into the General Fund reserves if desired, but once they are put into the Vicksburg Crossing Debt Sinking fund they cannot be moved out again. Commissioner Stein recommended putting it into the HRA General Fund reserve account in order to maintain flexibility and give the new Board members some tools with which to work with. The account balance itself will not change; the activity #100 will simply be collapsed. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Kulaszewicz to adopt HRA Reserve Account transfer of 251 monies into the HRA General Fund. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chairman Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Caryotakis, to adjourn. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.