Loading...
HRA 10/07/2004 - 29532CITY OF FRIDLEY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OCTOBER 7, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Commers called the October 7, 2004, Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Pesent: Larry Commers John Meyer Virginia Schnabel Pat Gabel William Holm Others Present: Scott, Hickok, Community Development Director Paul Bolin, Assistant HRA Director Paul Eisenmenger, Accountant Rebecca Brazys, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 2, 2004 MOTION by Ms. Schnabel, seconded by Ms. Gabel, to approve the minutes as presented. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSENT AGENDA: • Consider Claims & Expenses MOTION by Mr. Meyer, seconded by Mr. Holm, to approve the Consent Agenda. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ACTION: • Resolution appointing Paul Bolin as Assistant Executive Director. Mr. Hickok stated an important piece of the process is to have a resolution approved by the HRA that not only approves Paul for the position but also to enumerate such items HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING — OCT 7, 2004 Page 2 of 6 as compensation and benefits and makes it clear for the record that the HRA has hired Paul at this compensation and benefit rate. Paul has been with the Community Development staff for a number of years with his most recent position as Planning Coordinator for the City of Fridley. The recommendation for compensation for Paul matches the compensation he was receiving as Planning Coordinator. At Ms. Schnabel's request, Mr. Hickok briefly defined deferred compensation and the flexible spending account referred to in the resolution. In response to Mr. Meyer's concern, Mr. Hickok explained this is salaried position and there is no overtime. MOTION by Ms. Gabel, seconded by Ms. Schnabel, to approve the resolution appointing Paul Bolin as Assistant Executive Director. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON COMMERS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. RESOLUTION NO. HRA 2004-06 RESOLUTION APPOINTING PAUL BOLIN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR • Agreement between HRA & City regarding Assistant Executive Director position. Mr. Hickok explained this is a new agreement that was created as a result of a discussion with the Human Resource Director and City Attorney regarding the organizational relationship between the HRA employees and City employees. The Assistant Executive Director position is the only one spelled out in the bylaws as being appointed by the HRA but City Staff members supervise this position. The City Attorney recommended, from a legal and auditing perspective, that it would be important to have an agreement in the file that recognizes this is an HRA employee housed in City Hall. The agreement addresses the materials used by this employee and the supervision of this employee and that the HRA is recognizing those issues. This agreement is of particular value as far as clarification for the Fair Labor Standards Act with regards to whether this is a contract position or a City staff position. Because this is a unique document, Jim Casserly and Fritz Knaak are working together to ensure that this agreement is worded in the best way. Mr. Hickok explained that the agreement has not yet been finalized and he would ask that the HRA table this matter. He anticipates it will be ready to be acted upon by the November meeting. Chairperson Commers commented that because of the control the City would have over this position that he doesn't lose his rights as an HRA employee. He then asked why the HRA doesn't have a contract with those city staff members who work for the HRA. HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING — OCT 7, 2004 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Hickok explained that has been discussed and could be outlined in the same agreement. INFORMATION ITEMS: • Update on Fridley Housing Forum #2 Mr. Bolin stated Housing Forum #2 was held on September attendance. Based on the survey results received that night, forum gave them a better understanding of housing issues. scheduled for October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center, • Update on Home & Garden Show 2005 Planning 23 with 56 residents in about 73% felt that the Housing Forum #3 is Mr. Bolin explained that this year's show will be held on Saturday, March 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This year's show will be held in the new Schwan Center in Blaine and there will be room for an additional 15 vendors. Mr. Bolin explained letters will go out to past vendors and new businesses to solicit participation in this year's show. • Update on Gateway West Mr. Bolin reported that the property at 281 57th Place (the Talley property) will be turned over to the HRA next Tuesday. In addition, staff is coordinating with Short, Elliott, Hendrickson (SHE) (engineering firm) to conduct a blight analysis of 5931 Third Street and 281 57�" Place. The properties that were purchased and closed on last year had the same analysis done. Once the blight analysis has been completed, staff will present resolutions to the HRA to declare the properties as blighted; one of the steps in getting closer to creating the TIF housing district. Also, staff is coordinating with an environmental consultant to go through all the properties they need to identify asbestos and any other hazards in the properties and have those carefully removed. Mr. Bolin stated that staff has been receiving a number of requests for items left on these properties, such as a furnace, storm doors, garage door, garage and a shed. Staff is becoming overwhelmed with these requests and after discussions with staff members and the attomeys, it seems the best way to limit liability for the City and HRA would be to ask these individuals to deal directly with the demolition or deconstruction contractor once one has been selected. Chairperson Commers asked if there will be boarded up properties at this site all winter. Mr. Bolin explained this is why staff doesn't want to get rid of the windows or storm doors; the homes need to be kept in tact for the blight analysis. Once the blight analysis is done, staff needs to meet with Jim Casserly and the HRA attorney to finalize all the details for creating the TIF housing district. There is a fairly short window between the passage of the blight resolution and the start of construction. The staff's goal is to take the homes down by next spring. HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING — OCT 7, 2004 Page 4 of 6 Chairperson Commers questioned if access can be gained to do a blight study on the four-plex. Mr. Bolin stated that when SEH is out to examine the other properties they may be able to give some indication from what they see on the outside as to how a determination can be made without getting inside the four-plex. Staff will also continue to have discussions with the redevelopment consultant. Mr. Hickok added that staff did attempt to meet with the owner of the four-plex by going to his home, but he chose not to speak with staff. Mr. Bolin stated staff has also had conversations with the owner's brother and father, but have not been able to get the owner to respond in any way. Mr. Meyer stated when SEH submits their blight report; he would appreciate more detail on which to base the condemnation proceedings if the HRA chooses to proceed in that direction. Mr. Bolin offered to share the SEH report with HRA members when it is received. Mr. Hickok explained that the police department has asked to utilize these homes to do some non-invasive training for as many as 90 students to learn how to respond to incidents where there may not be power or other distractions. Mr. Meyer questioned if there HRA or the City will be faced with any liability as a result of the training. Mr. Hickok responded that staff will make certain that the HRA is covered and that that staff is comfortable before the training begins. • Monthly Housing Report Mr. Bolin reviewed the Monthly Housing Report stating that staff sent out 13 loan applications in September and received 5 back; 3 loans closed in September (4 loan applications were sent out this week alone). The Operation Insulation completed 2 inspections and weatherized 2 homes in September. The Remodeling Advisor made 3 visits in September and this past week alone there have been 2 calls. Mr. Meyer suggested there may be more the HRA and staff can do to increase public participation in the City housing programs. Chairperson Commers asked Mr. Bolin to prepare some analysis and bring it to the next meeting. HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING — OCT 7, 2004 Page 5 of 6 • Creation of Monthly Non-Agenda Update Mr. Bolin explained this will be provided to the HRA members with their packet. The purpose is to provide information on proposed projects planning staff has reviewed and that the building department is aware of. Even if these projects don't involve HRA funding, they may be items of interest that the HRA members would have an interest in. Also, sometimes the HRA members may present questions to staff; the response could be included in this update so that all members have the same information. This would just be another tool for staff to provide information to HRA members. On future agendas, this could be discussed at the end of the meeting under Informal Reports. Chairperson Commers and Ms. Schnabel indicated they would appreciate this type of communication from staff. Mr. Meyer stated he thinks this is unfortunate as any public body should have discussions in open discussions. He agreed that this non-agenda update is an excellent idea but thought the public would enjoy hearing a discussion of such items. Chairperson Commers stated the purpose of this is to give the HRA information on items that do not require HRA action or involvement. He added that his understanding is if one of the members wanted to discuss an item on the non-agenda update, they could do so. Ms. Schnabel commented that she sees this simply as informational items and did not think they would require HRA discussion. Chairperson Commers suggested that Mr. Bolin proceed with the non-agenda update; see how many items are actually on the agenda and how it goes. Ms. Gabel commented that she's concerned that if the HRA discusses certain items in a public forum, it may lend credibility to an issue or give the public the impression that the HRA is involved in certain matters. Mr. Hickok stated that the idea of the non-agenda update is to inform HRA members; it is offered in a public packet which is available to the public. It is not meant to put the HRA members in the position of being experts or authorities on the items listed. Chairperson Commers again suggested the HRA try this and see how it goes. OTHER: Mr. Eisenmenger stated a proposed 2005 budget will be presented to the HRA at the next meeting for their review. HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTIiORITY MEETING — OCT 7, 2004 Page 6 of 6 ADJOURN MOTION by Ms. Schnabel, seconded by Ms. Gabel, to adjourn. UPON A VOICE VOTE, NAN MO SLY AND THEIMEET NG ADJOURNED AT 8 28 THE MOTION CARRIED U PM. RespectFully submitted by, . �G . � � �� �� Rebecca Brazys Recording Secretary r , , � CITY OF FRIDLEY SIGN-IN SHEET HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING �.��%,�d� ��� Name and Address Agenda Item of Interest