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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 06-25-2015APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY June 25, 2015 PRESENT: Chairman Jeff Kulaszewicz, Commissioners Kira Vanderlan, Jim Willis and Michelle Soderberg ABSENT: Commissioner Katie Black STAFF PRESENT: HRA Manager Jim Barnes, and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kulaszewicz called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes for March 26, 2015. Commissioner Soderberg asked that Items 2.B and 2.C. be removed from the Consent Agenda. MOTION by Commissioner Willis, seconded by Chairman Kulaszewicz, to approve the amended consent agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION passed unanimously. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. HRA Development Opportunities. Discuss the possibility of the HRA acquiring City owned properties for housing development. Housing Program Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report and the three parcels that could be developed. Commissioner Willis asked if there would be any restrictions on the resale of these units. Housing Program Manager Barnes said there would be restrictive covenants on these homes. Housing Program Manager Barnes suggested completing one project a year. He said there are many ideas to explore such as working with returning veterans for accessible units along with Habitat. Housing Program Manager Barnes said we could work with private developers and put restrictions on the homes; he noted there are not a lot of non-profit developers in the western suburbs. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked for clarification on the West Hennepin Land Trust model. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority June 25, 2015 Page 2 HRA Manager Barnes explained the land trust owns the land with a 99-year lease and the buyer owns the house only which makes it more affordable. He said Habitat tends to buy existing homes and utilizes funding options through Hennepin County or MHFA, in addition to partner cities who contribute funds from CDBG, TIF, tax levy or donation of land depending on the project. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked why the City has not sold these parcels and how these three were selected as buildable parcels for review. HRA Manager Barnes said three years ago the Engineering Department reviewed all 250 parcels. The Council at that time decided to hold on to the parcels. The three parcels identified in the report were selected because they were identified by various staff members as good potential sites. Commissioner Willis said it would be great if all these parcels could be developed into affordable housing. He said he knows that Habitat can deliver. Commissioner Willis reiterated the necessity of maintaining a property as affordable housing for sequential ownership. Chairman Kulaszewicz said single family homes would be suitable for affordable and handicapped accessible for returning veterans. He said he is not excited about being a landlord with owning and leasing properties. Chairman Kulaszewicz, Commissioner Willis, and HRA Manager Barnes concurred the goal is to be a funding partner. Commissioner Vanderlan said with the new war memorial in the City it is important to consider the program Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, and suggested the Board continue that sense of giving toward the military community. She said she supported the water tower site as there could be potential for multiple units. Chairman Kulaszewicz concurred and said he supported providing some contribution to the effort with an agency or non-profit partnering with a developer or contractor. MOTION by Chairman Kulaszewicz, seconded by Commissioner Soderberg, recommending Commissioner Willis, on behalf of the HRA Board, request a City Council study session for exploration of selling these parcels to qualified entities to provide affordable housing options. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Reports. Commissioner Soderberg asked for clarification of various line items. Housing Program Manager Barnes provided explanations, discussed the property management’s roll in providing the financials and reviewed how the City plans for budgets. Approved Minutes Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority June 25, 2015 Page 3 C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept Monthly Housing/Marketing Reports. There was no further discussion on this item. 4. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Willis, seconded by Commissioner Soderberg, to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Motion approved unanimously.