08-19 Concurrent CC and HRA Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Concurrent City Council and HRA Work
Session
August 19, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Chair Supple at 5:45 p.m. in the Bartholomew
Room.
ATTENDANCE
Council Members Present: Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Edwina Garcia; Ben
Whalen
Council Members Absent: Simon Trautmann
HRA Members Present: Mary Supple, Chair; Maria Regan Gonzalez; Pat Elliott; Erin Vrieze
Daniels
HRA Members Absent: Sue Sandahl
Staff Present: John Stark, Director of Community Development/HRA Executive
Director; Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Julie Urban, Housing
Manager; Neil Ruhland, Communications and Engagement Manager
ITEM #1 CONSIDERATION OF RENTAL HOUSING WORK PLAN AND PRIORITIES
Housing Manager Urban reviewed the strategies and tools the City has accomplished in the
past two years to strengthen the City’s rental housing. She described the items currently being
worked on and presented a list of items that policymakers may choose to focus on moving forward.
Community Development Director/HRA Executive Director Stark presented some statistics
on the affordability distribution of rental housing in the community compared to similar
communities. He pointed out that the City’s share of rental housing is primarily affordable between
30 and 80% of the area median income and that less is available at the higher and lower ends of
the income spectrum. Policymakers discussed the need for more current data to see how new and
planned construction as well as the increased housing market prices impacted the data.
Councilmember Whalen stated that he didn’t see the value in providing resources for
housing at the higher end and said that instead he thinks we should focus our resources on
housing at the lower end.
Concurrent City Council and HRA Work Session -2- August 19,2019
Housing Manager Urban presented information on the potential use of the 4d tax
classification to provide tax breaks to apartment owners in exchange for preserving and/or
improving naturally occurring affordable housing.
Policymakers agreed that the 4d programs being used by other cities are not a good fit for
Richfield and encouraged staff to explore how the tax break might be used to encourage deeper
affordability and more improvements.
Housing Manager Urban presented information on the City's Inclusionary Housing policy
and potential revisions suggested by Councilmember Whalen.
Policymakers discussed how changing from a policy to an ordinance might impact
development, the need for public assistance, the amount of an in lieu fee, accessible units, and
creativity through a planned unit development.
Staff was directed to prioritize creating community among residents and offering tenant
supports, adding a point of sale inspection for rental housing, revising the Inclusionary Housing
policy, and exploring the use of 4d to encourage greater affordability and investment in rental
housing.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:55 p.m.
Date Approved: September 10, 2019
Maria Regan Gonzale�Z--
Mayor
J rban Katie Rodriguez
H:.sing Manager City Manager