Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 10-19-1993MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OCTOBER 19,1993 A meeting of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order by Chairman David Crain on October 19, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman David Crain, Commissioners Pauline Milner (left at 8:15 p.m.), John Edson, and Brian Warhol ABSENT: Commissioner Phil Blott STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, Housing Specialist Milt Dale, and Housing Secretary Denise Hutt APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Chairman Crain, seconded by Commissioner Milner to approve the September 21, 1993 minutes. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CDBG FISCAL YEARS 93 AND % Chairman Crain opened and closed the public hearing for the reallocation of 1993 CDBG funds, as there was no one present to speak on the issue. MOTION by Commissioner Edson, seconded by Commissioner Warhol recommending reallocation of Fiscal Year 1993 Community Development Block Grant funds transferring 38,200 from Scattered Site Homeownership to The Community Home Program. MOTION to amend by Chairman Crain, seconded by Commissioner Edson that the reallocation of funds to The Community Home Program be contingent upon the acceptance by the City of Minneapolis for the bond. Roll Call Vote on amendment. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. Roll Call Vote on main motion. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. Chairman Crain opened the public hearing for recommending allocation of Fiscal Year 1994 Community Development Block Grant funds. 0 Grace Norris from Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association (GMDCA) thanked Commissioners for past funding and requested continued funding for thein sliding scale fee program. She informed Commissioners that GMDCA is currently serving six Plymouth families and there are an additional 116 families on the waiting list. Jim Jordan, training coordinator from Hennepin Technical College (HTC) stated their request for funding is to establish a computer training center for dislocated workers, unemployed and underemployed, and small businesses who need training assistance. Chairman Crain asked Mr. Jordan if HTC is seeking funds from other sources for this project. Mr. Jordan replied they are continuing to seek funds from other sources, but the program should become self-supporting within a few years. Commissioner Edson asked what the total capital is for this project Mr. Jordan stated the capital amount needed is $150,000. Commissioner Edson wanted to know what kind of training is done. Mr. Jordan replied. that HTC is a certified provider for this training program. He stated 40 percent of the program is computer training. The site will have twin computer labs — with MM in one lab and Macintosh in the other lab. The program offers a broad range of word processing, spreadsheets, and some desktop publishing. Commissioner Edson asked what the difference is between HTC's program and adult education programs offered through the school districts. Mr. Jordan replied the HTC program related directly to jobs; offers flexible lab hours; and, their participants can work at their own pace. Commissioner Edson commented he does not want to duplicate programs offered by school districts. He asked if the possibility of sharing computer labs had been looked at instead of leasing space. Ellen Leger, Supervisor of Customized Training from HTC explained there are no daytime spaces available through the school districts. Dislocated workers have individual needs and require support services that are offered with this program. Commissioner Edson asked if there is a set curriculum for this training program. Ms. Leger replied it is the basic curriculum offered through the Hennepin Technical College. J Commissioner Edson commented this training program is worthwhile, but would like more information about the curriculum and finding out if this HTC program is a duplication of effort and would be better done through the school districts. Chairman Crain asked if they had secured a location for the training program. Mr. Jordan responded they have looked at several locations and are currently considering a site located at Highway 55 and County Road 6 near Carlson Center. Mary Bisek from the City of Plymouth Park and Recreation Department informed Commissioners they are requesting funds to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. She stated $5,000 would be allocated to make its facilities at East Beach and at Parkers Lake Beach handicapped accessible by providing superdeck hard surfacing materials. $5,000 would be used for the recreation programming division to accommodate persons with handicaps into the regular recreation programs; such as, a sign language interpreter; scholarships; recreation aides; and, training. Chairman Crain closed the public hearing. Chairman Crain voiced his concern over the amounts allocated for administrative expenses. He stated some of the programs only require "pass-through" of funds; therefore, little administrative time is required. Director Hudburt stated staff would look more closely at the allocations recommended for administrative activities and will be meeting with the Finance Department prior to the November meeting. It was the consensus of the Commission to table the 1994 CDBG funding request to the November meeting at which time additional information would be provided for the request by Hennepin Technical College, and by staff regarding the administration of activities. SEMOR HOUSING PROJECT - UPDATE Greg Oppegard, Project Manager for Walker Development, gave an overview of his October 14, 1993 project status update report. He stated that a preconstruction meeting was held on October 15, 1993. He informed Commissioners there are approximately two months of foundation work before the framing begins. Chairman Crain asked if a building permit would be issued within the next two weeks. Mr. Oppegard replied it is possibility that a building permit will be issued within the next two weeks. He explained the foundation permit allows everything up to the precast work. Mr. Oppegard stated he will be providing Commissioners an updated schedule for the entire project at the November meeting. 0 Commissioner Milner asked if the housing authority will be involved in the "lottery". Tim Getty of Walker presented the logo suggestions for Plymouth Towne Square. Chairman Crain wondered if the Plymouth "P"" should be incorporated into the logo. Mr. Getty replied the Plymouth "P" would not fit with the font style of the proposed logos. After discussion of the three logos, Commissioners agreed upon a logo, but asked to have the name, "Plymouth", increased in font size. Mr. Getty presented three colors for the logo. Commissioners liked both the blue and green, and decided to leave the decision to the architect. It was later decided by Walker to go with the green color for the logo. Chairman Crain questioned some responses from Janet Lindbo's letter of September 21, 1993. He stated concern of duplication of tasks. He commented that Walker should have training manual operation procedures on hand; therefore, there should be less time involved than shown in the proforma. Ms. Lindbo responded that each housing project is different. She stated the bulk of time is allocated to selection of families and examination of each application. Chairman Crain commented there are several persons monitoring the punch fist already. Ms. Undbo replied she would be pleased to share all the specifics, but did not feel prepared to do so at this meeting. Chairman Crain suggested these issues be addressed at the November meeting. Chainnan Crain stated the city attorney has not had sufficient time to review the latest draft of the Admissions and Occupancy Policies. He suggested a study session with the attorney, Walker Management, housing authority, and staff. He commented that 21 pages for a pet policy is excessive. Donna Flaata of Walker assured Commissioners she could find something more appropriate for a pet policy for this project if the housing authority decides to allow pets. It was decided to hold a study session for the Admission and Occupancy Policies on Tuesday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. items for discussion will include selection of families; pets; selling home to first time homebuyer participant; base rent; and, underground parking policies. s: Commissioner Edson commented he would like to receive documents regarding the Admissions and Occupancy Policies at least one week before the study session. Ms. Flaata responded to Commissioner Milners earlier question of the 'lottery" explaining the housing authority will approve the system for selection of families and Walker Management will implement it. It was suggested that "selection process" be used in place of the word "lottery". PROPOSED BRA BUDGET FOR 1994 Director Hurlburt stated the proposed budget was prepared before she came on board. She informed Commissioners she will be meeting with staff and have more detailed explanations for the November meeting. COMPREHENSIVE HOUSU4G AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY (CHAS) MOTION by Chairman Crain, seconded by Commissioner Edson to accept the Hennepin Housing Consortium Five Year 1994-98 CHAS and the 1994 Annual CHAS as a planning guide to improve the availability of affordable housing in the City of Plymouth. Roll Call Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. f PLYMOUTH HOUSING ALLIANCE Commissioner Warhol commented that the "short -fall" amount on this project has been narrowed. Housing Specialist Dale stated the correct amount of the first mortgage should be 44,500, and not $34,000 as earlier indicated, thus changing the short -fall amount to 17,300. Commissioner Edson asked if the $17,300 is what is needed for donations. He stated his understanding of this project was the task force was to secure additional contributions as the housing authority had already put in as much funding as it could. Director Hurlburt stated these costs do not include legal fees and other administrative costs. Chairman Crain commented the housing alliance has to get all of the pieces put together, otherwise, the housing authority will have to look at fallback options. Commissioner Edson stated the housing authority wanted to have control over the housing alliance, that is why it was decided to have an advisory committee of the housing authority. What is holding the project up is they have not secured enough in contributions to break even, let alone seen money for another project. Karen Wahlberg from Interfaith Outreach commented they just went through five families to find one that would qualify for their project. She stated there should not be a problem securing donations for this type of project. Director Hurlburt suggested a deadline be set to secure donations and if there are insufficient contributions, we would need to look at fallback options. Housing Specialist Dale expressed the need for a "lead" person to coordinate the effort of securing donations. Chairman Crain suggested Steve Ludovissie be the point person for this project. EgF'ORMATION MEMO Chairman Crain commented that Section 8 portability seems to be stabilizing. WIEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:50 P.M. 0