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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes 08-18-1994MINMS PLVM[OUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AUGUST 18,1994 A meeting of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order by Chairman David Crain on August 18, 1994. PRESENT: Chairman David Crain, Commissioners John Edson, Thomas Rugh arrived at 7:20 p.m.), and Marjie McFarland ABSENT: Commissioner Arian Warhol STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, Housing Supervisor Ed Goldsmith, Housing Specialist Milt Dale, and Housing Secretary Denise Hutt Table approval of minutes. x. TRODU nN OF HRA SUPE VISOR ED GOL_ DS—MM Director Hurlburt introduced Ed Goldsmith as the new housing supernsor. Supervisor Goldsmith indicated that he moved to Plymouth in June. He has over 25 years Of housing experience and looks forward to working with the board members and staff. SENOR HOUSING UPDATE Gieg Oppegard of Walker Management presented a construction update for Plymouth Towne Square noting the following items: The new date of comp t, on for Plymouth Towne Square is slated for October 21, 1994. W;;lket will be meeting wit,I the project team weekly rather than bi-weekly through the completion or the certificate of occupancy is issued: Walker is in the process of bidding out additional cabinet work for the work station located by the offices. Walker, BRW and Frena are currently developing the close-out procedures for the project. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority August 18, 1994 Page #42 Walker is reviewing the proposed additional furniture requested for i the interior package. Mr. Oppegard commented the metal roofmg should start the week of August 22. The southeast wing of the project should be completed by August 20. Donna Flaata of Walker presented a Monthly Occupancy Report as of August 18, 1994. She informed Commissioners that 90 units have been reserved. There are three one. bedroom units and six two-bedroom units remaining. All garage spaces havc been reserved and a waiting list has been established. A:large 1 ercentage of the applicants want to move in before November 1. Additional Walker staff hour's will be scheduled to accommodate the move -in schedule. A total of frur pets (three cats and one dog) are anticipated at this time. Ms. Flaata stated Walker will start group orientations the third week in August, which should continue through September. Walker will be explaining the policies and procedures for Plymouth Towne Square with the applicants and discuss possible move -in dates. Walker will prioritize move -in dates, with those applicants that have sold their home or sre renting an apartment in which their lease may be up November 1. After October 1, Walker will show each applicant their individual unit. Sarah Miller of Walker stated that all two bedrooms units have been reserved by couples, with the exception of one unit. The majority of the one bedroom units have been reserved by single women. Commissioner Rugh questioned what is average age is of the applicants. his. Miller replied the average age is mid-70s. She commented all units should be leased by September I. 1995 BRA BUDGETS Director Hurlburt explained that there are three budgets for HRA projects and activities. They are: Fund 232, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Fund 233, Section 8 Rental Assistance; and, Fund 234, HRA General Fund. Fund 232, for the CDBG program budget shows all expenditures for CDBG program activities acid salaries, benefits and other costs to administer these activities. All revenue from the program comes from federal funds. In 1995, it is expected Plymouth will be allocated at least $297,000 to spend on eligible activities. The HRA will be able to reallocate funds between projects after the requited public hearing has been held. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority August 18, 1994 Page #43 Fund 233, Section 8 Rental Assistance budget includes expenditures for Section 8 rental assistance subsidies, and salaries and related costs of administering the program. All revenues are from federal funds. Funding decreased slightly between 1993 and 1994 as a result of a decrease of portable Section 8 certificates in Plymouth. The budget assumes that the program will remain relatively stable for 1995. Fund 234, HRA General Fund budget is the only one of the three budgets that is funded by the property tax revenue. The General Fund budget is funded by the tax levy adopted by the City Council. The City is required to certify a maximum tax le- -v by September 15. The tax levy initially was established to help fund construction or Plymouth Towne Square. The City Manager has recommend a levy of $383,200. This is an overall increase from 1994, but at a lower tax rate. Thus, will mean a reduction in HRA property taxes for the average homeowner. It is expected that no more than $275,000 would be needed for subsidies for Plymouth Towne Square. There should be funds left for contractual services to conduct special studies that could not be funded out of the CDBG budget. Commissioner Edson asked if the $275,000 is the most recent projection for subsidies. Director Hurlburt responded that staff should know within a few weeks if more than 275,000 is needed for the projected 1995 subsidies. if additional funds are needed, it will come out of the general fund (234) budget. She stated staff will be monitoring the n subsidies carefully, especially for the first few years. Director Hurlburt explained staff salaries are paid out of all three fimds. Primarily the general fimd (234) is allocated for Supervisor Goldsmith's salary; CDBG (232) is allocated for the Housing Specialist's salary and, Section 8 (233) is allocated for the secretary and clerk/typist position. These positions do cross over between funds and staff charges each fund according to the projects they work on. Commissioner Rugh questioned why the decrease in allocation for the First Time Homebuyer Program in 1995 from $178,000 to $105,000. Director Hurlburt replied that much of the funds expended this year are carryover funds from previous years. Commissioner Edson commented that with the rising interest rates, it may limit the number of people able to find affordable housing in Plymouth. He stated the amount of financial assistance may have to be increased. Commissioner Edson stated he still receives phone calls from citizens requesting a place for a senior center. There is a building anticipated at West Medicine Lake Park for seniors to use, but an interim place is still needed. 0 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority August 18, 1994 Page #44 Chairman Crain wondered if Walker has passed along any names of seniors selling their homes to staff. Housing Specialist Dale replied he has received only the name of one person interested in housing First Time Homebuyer applicants look at their home. Commissioner Rugh asked if there was a way to encourage the Plymouth Towne Square applicants to sell their homes to the First Time Homebuyer applicants. Housing Specialist Dale replied the Commissioners had discussed this previously and had decided it would not be prudent to give a preference. Supervisor Goldsmith suggested that Ms. Miller be contacted to find out if any seniors have not yet sold their homes and refer First Time Homebuyer applicants to these properties. MOTION by Commissioner Edson, seconded b}• Commissioner Rugh to recommend that the City Council approve the budgets as proposed for 1995, subject to reallocation of CDBG fiords after the public hearing. Grote. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. j_ ^ENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 500 VICKSBURG LANE Supervisor Goldsmith gave an overview of the August 11, 1994 memo outlining the opportunity to purchase property at 500 Vicksburg Lane with the potential to provide affordable housing. This site could be utilized for building four or five houses for First Time Homebuyer applicants. Staff would like authorization for up to $500 to be allocated for an appraisal of the property, if needed. Chairman Crain asked if the potential buyer's proposal is going to fidl-through. Supervisor Goldsmith replied that staff would like to be ready to move on this property if the proposal did fall -through. Commissioner McFarland wondered what staff has in mipd for this site, if acquired. Supervisor Goldsmith responded that staff may issue a Request For Proposal to hire a private developer to build homes to be purchased by either First Time Homebuyer applicants or other low income persons. The HRA would own the property and establish the guidelines and procedures for development of the site. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority August 18, 1994 Page #45 MOTION by Chairman Crain, seconded by Commissioner McFarland to authorize using up to SSoo in HRA Tax Levy fiords for appraisal fees as soon the property becomes available. Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. Chairman Crain, Commissioner Edson, and Commissioner McFarland stated that they have no problem with the revised meeting schedule. Commissioner Rugh stated he may have a con9ict with these dates, but will make every effort to attend. Commissioner McFarland stated she would not be able to attend the November meeting. Director Huriburt stated plans should be started for a ribbon -cutting ceremony or grand opening for Plymouth Towne Square. Staff will talk with Walker to see what ideas they have. Commissioner Rugh suggested Commissioners schedule a meeting to discuss long term goals for the HRA Chairman Crain and Commissioner Edson concurred and direded staff to place it on the age MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:15 P.M. a