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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 09-25-2014APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 PRESENT: Chairman Jeff Kulaszewicz, Commissioners Katie Black, Jim Willis, and Toni Jelinek (arrived at 7:12 p.m.) ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, HRA Executive Director Steve Juetten, Support Services Manager Denise Whalen, Housing Specialist Spencer Agnew, and Office Support Representative Tina Beckfeld 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kulaszewicz called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes for August 29, 2014. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Reports C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept Monthly Housing/Marketing Reports MOTION by Commissioner Willis, seconded by Commissioner Black to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 3. PUBLIC HEARING A. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. PHA 5 -Year Plan; proposed changes to the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan; and, submission of HUD - 50077 -CR. Support Services Manager Whalen gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Willis asked what the nature of the proposed increase and decrease in income is. Support Services Manager Whalen answered currently a client can request an interim adjustment if their income decreases $40 or more per month. Making changes for small amounts has increased the burden on staff time, as staff is processing many interim adjustments per month along with annual recertifications. Research done on other housing authorities revealed some HRA's only make changes at recertification time. Other housing authorities allow interim adjustments when income changes by $200-$300 per month. Staff felt increasing the amount from $40 to $100 is fair. Draft Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority September 25, 2014 Page 2 Katie Black complimented staff for keeping the increase low because any increase in tenant portion is a burden for clients. She also had a question about 8-11.C. "The HRA reserves the right to inspect more frequently for marginal or high risk units." Support Services Manager Whalen stated most of the apartment complexes have a good handle on managing Section 8 housing properties. However, many voucher holders now live in single family dwellings, townhomes or condos where landlords may be more lax on maintenance of those properties. This change assures inspections can be made more frequently so housing is maintained. The housing inspector has good knowledge of problem units or problem tenants that do not maintain the properties. These are the units that would benefit from more frequent inspections. Commissioner Willis asked what the change in definition of "family" was. Support Services Manager Whalen answered now the definition of "family" does not discriminate regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. This direction came from HUD. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked who is considered near -elderly. Support Services Manager Whalen answered near -elderly is classified as a person who is at least 50 years of age but below 62. Chairman Kulaszewicz opened the public hearing. No guests were in attendance to speak. Chairman Kulaszewicz closed the public hearing. MOTION by Commissioner Willis, seconded by Chairman Kulaszewicz to approve the PHA 5 -Year Plan; proposed changes to the Administrative Plan to be effective immediately; and, submission of the 50077 CR to Housing and Urban development for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2015. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. HRA Budgets. Review and approve 2015 HRA Budgets. Housing Manager Barnes gave an overview of the CDBG and HRA General Fund staff reports and stated currently we are in the second year of the 2014-2015 biennial budget process. Support Services Manager Whalen gave an overview of the Section 8 staff report. HRA Executive Director Juetten gave a status update on the Section 8 reserves. He stated we continue to draw down the UNA balance and at some point the HRA may need to discuss Draft Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority September 25, 2014 Page 3 whether or not the Section 8 program is economical to administer or if we look at alternatives. He recommends not reevaluating at this point. Chairman Kulaszewicz noted three years ago the administrative fee paid by HUD was at 100%. HRA Executive Director Juetten stated at 100%, extra money was put into the reserve fund. At 80%, money is taken from the reserve fund to make up the shortage. If HUD would pay 85% of our administrative fee we could probably break even. HRA Executive Director Juetten stated that a couple of years ago during sequestration our administrative fee paid by HUD dropped to 69%. Fluctuation is something that must always be considered. Commissioner Jelinek asked at what point the HRA Board would be notified of such a drastic change. HRA Executive Director Juetten replied that staff will keep the Board updated on any changes that impact the program. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked when TIF districts budgets would be discussed. Housing Manager Barnes stated staff monitors the TIF districts and redistribution occurs when necessary. There is not a lot of activity in our districts after the original obligation is approved that would warrant budget discussions. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked about TIF district 1-3 at State Highway 55 and County Road 73. Housing Manager Barnes stated it is not proceeding as fast as the developer would like. The HRA's obligation to the developer is a not -to -exceed dollar amount which was calculated over 25 years. They need to have the development fully completed in order to receive full payments. Commissioner Willis stated the council has confidence in the HRA budget and he believes that the council will not decrease the tax levy in December when they vote on the actual budget. MOTION by Chairman Kulaszewicz, seconded by Katie Black to recommend the City Council adopt the 2015 HRA preliminary budgets. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 5. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chairman Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Jelinek, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.