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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 03-19-1984MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA MARCH 19, 1984 The public hearing regarding the Year X Community Development Block Grant program by the Housing and. Redevelopment Authority of Plymouth, Minnesota was held on the 19th day of March., 1984 at 6:35 p.m. at the City Council Chambers in the. City of Plymouth, Minnesota. The following members of the Authority were present: Chairman Erickson, Commissioners Pat Neils, Rod Hillstrom and Harold Bakke. Also present were: Planner Tremere, Associate Planner Dale, and City Clerk Houk. ABSENT Commissioner Gerry Neils MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Neils, seconded by Commissioner Erickson, to approve the minutes of the March 5, 1984 meeting as submitted. Motion carried, two ayes. Commissioners Bakke and Hillstrom abstained. PUBLIC HEARING FOR CDBG YEAR X FUNDING 40 Chairman Erickson stated the purpose of the public hearing was to have resident input into the HRA's use of Community Development: Block Grant funds for Year X of the program. Planner Tremere reported that the staff has learned from Hennepin County that the HRA can expect to receive approximately $142,759.00 for the next funding year which is known as Year X. This represents a decrease of about 16% of what was received last year. Hennepin County bases the amount for each HRA on a formula taking into account perceived need, condition of housing stock, and previous activities. Plymouth typically realizes a lower amount than comparably sizers cities because of the age of the housing as well as the type of population and their income. Staff has developed a program which it believes meets the county and federal spending guidelines. The proposal takes into account previous programs the HRA has run which have been successful Including housing rehabilitation grants in the amount of $65,759.00; acquisition and improvement of land for neighborhood revitalization in the amount of $60,000.00; support of day care in the amount of $7,000; and other eligible planning activities in the amount of $10,000.00. The new program being suggested for this year is the support of community day care. Chairman Erickson opened the public hearing. at 6:43 p.m. Gayleen Touhey, 405 C.R. 73, St. Mary of the Lake nursery school director, stated the need for child care is skyrocketing but the money available doesn't support the need. HRA Public Hearing March. 10: 19W. Page Two Helen Watkins, Greatest Minneapolis Day Care Association, stated that child care is very expensive; the average for an infant costing $49,225 annually, 340 for toddlers,. and $2,960 for pre-school children. Hennepin County provides free day care for working parents in the county who work a minimum of 25 hours a week and who's gross income is less than 60% of the average median. There is a waiting list of from 300 to 550 families. She explained the Minnesota sliding. fee subsidy schedule which supplies from 60-90% of the fees but added that Hennepin Counf;u's subsidies have been frozen. Legislation has been proposed which will add t., the state funding but she doesn't know how much they would receive. Last year HUD allowed child care funding from CDBG funds as a public service. Under current regulations families receiving funds are those under 60% of the median income up to the Section 8 program income cutoff amounts. Their agency could administer the program for the HRA, as they are currently administering programs for four other Hennepin County cities, for a 7% administrative fee. Their long term plan is to get more money from the state for child care and, therefore, they don't anticipate that the HRA will have to fund the program over a long period of time. She added that there are fourteen Plymouth families currently on a waiting list for child care assistance. The $7,000 proposed by the HRA would fund approximately five children. The money will only be used for Plymouth residents, and if the entire amount isn't used, the money will be returned to the HRA. She also recommended the HRA advertise the program to residents. Carl. Curtis, 31065 Harbor Lane, related her experience attempting to obtain safe, adequate care for her two children and why she has been unable to get any child care assistance. Chairman Erickson stated he had received a letter from the Children's Learning Center, Inc., 105 Forestview Lane, Plymouth, stating that they have five f allies who are receiving full funding from Hennepin County and a waiting list of three more families. The public hearing was closed at 7:35 p.m. Commissioner Neils stated she supported the program because it is an important step in breaking the cycle of welfare and represents an economic development issue. This is proposed as a one year trial program. She also inquired whether the amount should be increased to the. $10,000.00 proposed for planning activities. HRA Public Hearing larch 19, 1984 Page Three Planner Tremere stated that the amount of $7,000 was based a percentage of total funds as the other four communities In the program were contributing for child care. He added the $7,000 seems adequate to start, but that more funds could be transferred to the account through the year by amending otherprograms. He stated that other cities in the program have expressed concern as to spending all their funds in the timeframe prescribed by HUD and H:nnepin County because of the apparent ineligibility of residents. He explained that the funds are directed to the administering. agency and not directly to day care customers. Thus, it would seem appropriate to establish a track record and gain experience with this agency before increasing the funding. Commissioner Hillstrom stated he would favor a six month review of the program. Motion was made by Commissioner Hillstrom, seconded by Commissioner Neils to adopt the following resolution: HRA RESOLUTION NO. 84-05 RECOMMENDING ALLOCATION OF YEAR X COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth for Year X will be in receipt of approximately 142,759 of Community Development Block Grant funds to utilize in such a way as to assist low and moderate income persons; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 1984 the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority held a duly constituted public hearing. to allow interested parties to express their opinions; and, WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Plymouth discussed ways the Community Development Block Grant funds could be utilized In accordance with federal guidelines; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Plymouth that the Planning Area Citizen Advisory Committee and the Plymouth City Council be recommended to allocate the Year X Community Development Block Grant funds as follows: Housing Rehabilitation Grant. Program Acquisition and Improvement of Land and/or Dwellings for purposes neighborhood revitalization to eliminate blight Support of Community Day Care Programs Other Eligible Planning and Program Devttopment Activities 0 65v759.00 ( 46%) 60,000.00 ( 42%) 71000.00 ( 5%) 109000.00 ( 7%) 1429759.00 (100%) HRA Public Hearing March 19, 1984 Page Four Notion carried on a Roil Call vote, four ayes. Notion was made by Commissioner Hillstrom, seconded by Commissioner Erickson,. directing staff to bring the day care program back to the HRA for review after a period of six months from 3uly 1, the beginning of Year X. Notion was made by Commissioner Mils, seconded by Commissioner Bakke to amend the resolution to state three months. Extensive discussion followed regarding the needed start up time and eligibility determination problems. Commissioners Neils and Bakke withdrew the motion. Motton carried, four ayes. Notion was made by Commissioner Neils, seconded by Commissioner Hillstrom, that support for the child care program include persons with income below the 60% state median income who are ineligible for child care subsidies through other programs.. Notion carried, four ayes. PROGRESS REPORT ON SCATTERED SITE REHABILITATION AND ACQUISITION PROGRAM Associate Planner Dale reported on the procedures involved in acquiring the parcel now held by the City which may increase the prices of the lots to 1.7,000 each. The Council, at its March 12 meeting, did approve the transfer of the parcel to the HRA subject to approval by the Council following a neighborhood public informational meeting. The land is south of C.R. 6 between Glacier Lane and future Fernbrook Lane. Discussion was held on the proposed access to the lots, and whether the sites had sewer and water connections. Associate Planner Dale showed slides of the surrounding houses. Discussion continued on the age of the houses, other houses which may be available for purchase by she HRA soon,. whether the proposed timetable can be achieved, and a date for the public informational meeting. Motion was made by Commissioner Hillstrom, seconded by Commissioner Neils, to proceed with the determSnation of the value of the parcel, the completion of tie required preliminary plat paperwork for the Planning Department, having the City Attorney obtain and review an abstract of the property, having the lots surveyed, having soil borings done, and upon completion of these scheduling the public informational meeting. Motion carried, four ayes. 0 HRA Public Hearing March 190 1484 Page five Staff verified that the site preparation 4nd acquisition process takes a period of time that will conflict with the availability of the two houses; the Worts will thus focus on site acquisition and not, for now, on house acquisition. The commissioners concurred. REPORT ON ELDERLY HOUSING SITE Associate Planner Dale reported that he has inspected the site and found a number of tree trunks and piles of brush had been moved onto it. He has contacted the developer of the project to the north of the site to ask that he remove the debris but has not had a reply as yet. He will provide a plan for the landscaping and.plantings on the site later this spring. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.. Sectetary