12-07-2023
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
December 7, 2023
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Chairperson Showalter called the Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present
Elizabeth Showalter
Gordon Backlund
Troy Brueggemeier
Rachel Schwankl
Kyle Mulrooney
Others Present
Paul Bolin, HRA Assistant Executive Director
Joe Starks, Finance Director
Vickie Johnson, Development Consultant
Action Items
1. Approval of Expenditures.
Motion by Commissioner Mulrooney to approve the expenditures. Seconded by Commissioner Backlund.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chair Showalter declared the motion carried unanimously.
2. Approval November 2, 2023, Meeting Minutes.
Motion by Commissioner Brueggemeier to approve the meeting minutes of November 2, 2023 as
presented. Seconded by Commissioner Schwankl.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chair Showalter declared the motion carried unanimously.
3. Designation of an Official Newspaper for 2024.
Paul Bolin, Executive Director, stated that the HRA is annually required to designate an official newspaper.
He stated that the Minneapolis Star Tribune continues to fill the needs of the HRA.
Motion by Commissioner Backlund to adopt HRA Resolution No. 2023-15 Designating an Official
Newspaper for the Year 2024. Seconded by Commissioner Mulrooney.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chair Showalter declared the motion carried unanimously.
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4. Resolution No. 2023-16 Designating an Official Depository for the Year 2024.
Mr. Bolin stated that annually the HRA must designate an official bank, noting that Wells Fargo has been
the official bank for both the City and HRA for a number of years. Staff recommends approval of the
resolution as presented.
Motion by Commissioner Brueggemeier to adopt HRA Resolution No. 2023-16 Designating an Official
Depository for the Year 2024. Seconded by Commissioner Schwankl.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chair Showalter declared the motion carried unanimously.
5. Resolution No. 2023-17 Adopting Changes and Additions to Housing Programs and Guidelines.
Mr. Bolin stated that the last legislative session provided additional funding for the City to use towards
its housing programs. He stated that the HRA and City Council met in a work session in August to discuss
potential changes and additions to the programs. He stated that staff then worked with finance staff to
better plan. He provided an overview of the proposed changes and additions to the housing programs.
He also provided details on the anticipated timing for applications to be received in order to better match
with when funding would be allocated.
Commissioner Brueggemeier recognized that the senior deferred loan program is one of the most
popular programs and asked the process that is used to ensure the funds are allocated to the appropriate
residents. Mr. Bolin commented that the income limit will be helpful. He stated that they did consider
two rounds of funding but noted that there will only be one round of funding in 2024 as they will not be
allocating funds until March or April this year.
Commissioner Backlund noted a grammatical change.
Chair Showalter referenced the downpayment assistance program and asked if that program would
continue to be available under the current terms, or whether that would not be available until April. Mr.
Bolin replied that would be delayed until April as well. He stated that the revolving loan fund would
remain active as those funds are replenished, but the deferred loan programs will be delayed in order to
avoid running a deficit. Chair Showalter referenced the home betterment loan, where it seems likely that
only four projects per year would be funded, and asked how those projects would be selected. Mr. Bolin
stated that this year it would be first come, first serve. Chair Showalter agreed that could make sense this
year but perhaps a lottery system is used in future years.
Mr. Bolin provided details on how the programs are advertised including social media, City newsletter,
and public open house.
Motion by Commissioner Backlund to adopt HRA Resolution No. 2023-17 Adopting Changes and
Additions to Housing Programs and Guidelines with the noted change. Seconded by Commissioner
Mulrooney.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chair Showalter declared the motion carried unanimously.
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6. Proposed 2024 Budget
Joe Starks, Finance Director, provided background information on the proposed 2024 budget that the
HRA is asked to consider tonight. He stated that the HRA budget contains three major components
which are the General Fund, Housing Program Fund, and TIF District Funds. He highlighted changes
related to the proposed 2024 General Fund revenue budget, General Fund expenditure budget, Housing
Program Fund revenue budget, Housing Program Fund expenditure budget, and also reviewed other
budget assumptions. Staff recommends approval as presented.
Commissioner Mulrooney asked the cash level in the General Fund. Mr. Starks replied that at the end of
2022, the cash balance was $9,800,000 noting that the actual fund balance was a bit higher.
Commissioner Brueggemeier asked for more information on professional and contractual services. Mr.
Starks replied that they are similar, noting that the loan servicing by CEE would fall under contractual
while the use of consultants would fall under professional.
Motion by Commissioner Brueggemeier to adopt the proposed 2024 HRA budget. Seconded by
Commissioner Schwankl.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chair Showalter declared the motion carried unanimously.
7. Amendment to the Housing Programs Administration Contract with CEE
Mr. Bolin provided details on the CEE loan program administration, noting that the HRA has contracted
with CEE for this service since 1996. He stated that the contracts have been set up in three-year terms
and that period is now due. He reviewed the proposed changes to the existing contract and stated that
staff recommends that the HRA approve the contract extension and changes through December 31, 2026.
Commissioner Brueggemeier expressed appreciation for the relationship the HRA has with CEE, especially
with the new programs anticipated.
Motion by Commissioner Backlund to approve the amendment to the housing programs administration
contract with CEE. Seconded by Commissioner Brueggemeier.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chair Showalter declared the motion carried unanimously.
Informational Items
8. Update on Housing Programs
Mr. Bolin provided an update on the November activity within the housing programs as well as year to
date information.
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Commissioner Schwankl commented that the Front Door and paint programs have been scattered
throughout the community and provide more pride in homeownership. She noted that often those
projects spur neighbors to similarly invest in their homes.
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Brueggemeier to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Schwankl.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chairperson Showalter declared the motion carried and the meeting
adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________
Melissa Moore – City Clerk