HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 12-07-1993P. MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSI[NG AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 7,1993
A meeting of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order by
Chairman David Crain on December 7, 1993.
PRESENT: Chairman David Crain, Commissioners Pauline Milner, John Edson,
and Brian Warhol
ABSENT: Commissioner Philip Blott
STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, Housing Specialist Milt Dale,
and Housing Secretary Denise Hutt
APPROVAL OF MOMIES
MOTION by Commissioner Edson, seconded by Commissioner Milner to approve the
November 16, 1993 minutes.
Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously.
Director Hurlburt gave an overview of the December 2, 1993 memo outlining four rent
subsidy scenarios for Plymouth Towne Square. Scenario A worksheet was based on the
pro forma prepared by Walker Management showing an average subsidy of 5250/month.
Scenario B worksheet indicated a deep subsidy of 5500/month for ten units. Scenario C
worksheet outlined the effects of a deep subsidy at 5400/month, while the scenario D
worksheet provided a deep subsidy of 5425/month and makes the smallest units
affordable. The majority of the units are in that size range.
Director Huriburt commented should the housing authority wish to subsidize more than 10
units for a deep subsidy, it will require reducing the subsidy to the low income renter so
more very low income residents can be assisted. She indicated that staff prefers worksheet
D as it allows a rent subsidy to a broader range of renters.
Commissioner Edson was concerned that a low income married couple could only qualify
for the smallest unit, but a very low income married couple coa!d qualify for any of the
four unit sizes. He wanted a more continuous flow between the very low and the low
income levels as to availability of units for both income groups.
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Director Hurlburt commented the subsidy may have to be increased by $50/month in order
to achieve that goal.
Donna Rats, of Walker Management, stated the average senior housing building does not
have many couples occupying two bedroom units.
Commissioners asked for the breakdown of units.
Director Hurlburt responded there are 97 units since two units are set aside for caretakers.
This leaves 19 large two bedroom; 19 small two bedroom; 6 large one bedroom; and 63
small one bedroom units.
Commissioner Edson commented he had no problem with the very low income portion of
the worksheet, just the low incorac portion as to availability of units to those persons at
the lower income range of the low income group.
Director Huriburt stated she would use $175/month instead of $125/month for the low
income portion. She will redo the worksheets for the January meeting.
Director Hurlburt asked what Commissioners would like to do if the higher subsidized
units are filled and the only ones left are the lower subsidized wits, requiring the
prospective renter to pay more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. Is it
appropriate to allow them to rent the unit, or would the manager continue to go down the
waiting list to find a person that can afford the unit?
Ms Planta stated that in the private market it would not be uncommon to go to
approximately 50 percent of income to accommodate such a renter.
Commissioner Crain agreed management should allow them the lower subsidized unit, but
give them priority for the first available higher subsidized unit when it becomes available.
Director Hurlburt suggested a percentage over 30 percent could be established. She
informed the Commissioners that the rent subsidy numbers are "moving" numbers, as the
pro forma uses resits increasing three to four percent every year. The 1993 rents will go
up by three percent before occupancy in October, 1994.
Commissioner Edson stated the 1994 rents should be the ones used for initial lease up.
Chairman Crain wanted to make sure accurate rent amounts are given to the public before
occupancy.
Com- issioner Edson commented rents should be projected for lease up in October and
use those figures for the worksheets that will presented at the January meeting.
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q Director Hurlburt stated the income limits would also have to be adjusted, as they change
annually.
Commissioner Edson suggested the tenant portion of rent could go up to a maximum of
40 percent for those tenants who wanted to rent, provided there were no units affordable
for them when they applied. Applicants placed in a lower subsidized unit would be placed
on the waiting fist for the first available higher subsidized unit.
Commissioner Warhol proposed a percentage of 33 percent for those in the low income
group, while 30 percent be used for very low income persons.
Director Hurlburt confirmed an applicant would still be allowed to pay up to 40 percent of
their income toward rent. She would redo the rent subsidy worksheets using 33 percent
of income for the low income and 30 percent of income for the very low income to allow
married couples to afford some two bedroom units. No units would be at market rate if
possible, and at least one-third of the units would be targeted for very low income
persons.
SEMOR HOUSING BMREST OUESTIONNAI RE
Commissioner Edson asked the significance of question number seven "If married and
over 62 years old, what is the age of your spouse?".
Ms. Flaata responded the question is needed to satisfy the federal Fav Housing Act of
1988 which states should a housing project require an admission age of 62 or older, they
can not lease to anyone under age 62. If a married couple signs a lease and the husband is
62 or older and the wife is under age 62, should the husband die while the spouse is still
under age 62, she would have to vacate the unit.
Chairman Crain suggested questions number six and seven be combined to ask the age of
person #I and person #2 in the same question.
Director Hurlburt commented the admission age could be set at age 55, but a preference
could be given for persons at age 62 and above.
Greg O,pegard of Walker Management needed to know by January if dishwashers were
to be installed in the units.
Ms. Flaata indicated 99 percent of dishwashers are used for storage by seniors and not for
their intended use.
Commissioner Milner asked if portable dishwashers would be an option.
Ms. Flaata responded other Walker Management projects do allow portable dishwashers,
J but it sometimes causes problems with wear and tear on the floor.
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Commissioner Warhol suggested the question regarding dishwashers should be omitted.
Consensus of the Board was that dishwashers would not be placed in units.
Commissioner Edson wanted question number 17 "Would you be willing to pay $25 per
month for an underground heated garage stall?" reworded to ""Do you own a car? If so,
would you be willing to pay $25 per month for an underground heated garage stall?".
Mr. Oppegard presented a project schedule and a list of subcontractors for Plymouth
Towne Square.
Mr. Oppegard gave Commissioners an update on constriction at the project site. He
stated constriction is on schedule. The footing work and water removal system has been
completed, along with the inside elevator work. Damp proofing on the exterior of the
building has begun. The water main around the building is 95 percent complete, with the
remaining area by the pone cache to be completed next spring. A two day pressure test
for the water main was started earlier in the day. The City requires chemically Rushing of
the water main, but a postponement was requested until next Spring. Sewer work is close
to completion. There were some problems with adjacent "as -built" surveys not being
accurate. City Engineer Faulkner is handling this matter. The retaining wall requested by
the City has been eliminated by lowering the elevation.
Mr. Oppegard has requested the subcontractor for the emergency call system to submit
costs for a wireless system as an option to consider in the future.
Chairman Crain asked when a decision would be needed on the brick and shingles.
Mr. Oppegard replied Jay Nelson had earlier rejected a mock up completed by the
Contractor, as he would like colors similar to the rendering that was done for the ground
breaking ceremony.
FlRff TDU HOMEBUYER CHANGES
Chairman Crain suggested the change under Section S. Application Process be revised to
state "it is the responsibility of each applicant to assure that their application was
received", which would allow the applicant to do it in person or over the phone.
MOTION by Chairman Crr in, seconded by Commissioner Edson to recommend approval
of the changes in the First Time Homebuyer Program Guidelines for 1994.
Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously.
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SECTION S ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRACT
MOTION by Commissioner Edson, seconded by Commissioner Milner to authorize
execution of the Section 8 Annual Contributions Contract.
Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously.
Commissioner Warhol presented a news article which featured a story on a house built
through the efforts of by Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners to house a lower
income fanily. It stated the City donated the lot and easement, while all construction
costs including labor and products were donated.
Director Hudburt informed Commissioners the City Council appointed board members for
the Plymouth Housing Alliance at its meeting on December 6, 1993.
MOTION by Commissioner Edson, seconded by Commissioner Milner approving the
Statement of Relatioiuihip and Affirmation of Goals with the Plymouth Housing Alliance,
as well as, approving the use of proceeds from sale of property known as "Rockford
Addition" for seed money for other Plymouth Housing Alliance projects.
Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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