10-21 HRA Regular
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
October 21, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Supple at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
HRA Members Mary Supple, Chair; Pat Elliott; Sue Sandahl, and Erin Vrieze Daniels
Present:
HRA Members Maria Regan Gonzalez
Absent:
Staff Present: John Stark, Executive Director; Julie Urban, Housing Manager
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
M/Elliott, S/Sandahl to approve the minutes for the Concurrent City Council, Housing and
Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission Work Session of September 16, 2019, the
minutes for the Regular Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting of September 16, 2019,
and the minutes for the Concurrent City Council, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and
Planning Commission Work Session of September 24, 2019.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #2 CONSENT CALENDAR
Executive Director Stark presented the Consent Calendar:
A. Consideration of an adjustment to the payment standard for the Section 8 Housing
Choice Voucher Program.
In response to a question from Commissioner Elliott, Housing Manager Urban explained
that Fair Market Rents are determined once a year by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, but there was a delay in publication this year, and we needed to be in compliance
with HUD regulations, especially for efficiency apartments, so this was the second time in 2019 the
HRA was being asked to adjust the payment standards.
M/Vrieze Daniels, S/Sandahl to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion carried 4-0.
HRA Meeting Minutes -2- October 21, 2019
Item #3 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
Item #4 CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT FOR PRIVATE
DEVELOPMENT FOR 6812 EMERSON LANE (SR NO. 35)
Housing Manager Urban presented the staff report explaining that survey work has shown a
reduced parcel resulting in the five-home proposal originally approved not meeting several of the
City’s subdivision requirements. Staff and the builder are presenting a four-home concept that
would meet the subdivision requirements but could require an additional subsidy of up to $60,000.
She explained that appraisal information is expected by the end of October that will help to
determine the final amount. She reminded Commissioners that the Community Development wears
two “hats,” one as representative of the HRA seeking to meet its housing goals and make the best
financial deal possible and one as planners who need to make land use decisions and administer
the City’s subdivision ordinance.
Commissioner Elliott stated that he wasn’t comfortable making a decision until the appraisal
information was available. He also requested that the entire contract be included when
amendments are under consideration. He stated concern that $390,000 was too great a subsidy
for this development.
Commissioners Sandahl and Chair Supple expressed concern with the timing of a decision.
Housing Manager Urban stated that the builder would like to begin constructing utilities this Fall
and is attempting to finish them before the mill and overlay project begins in the Spring. She stated
that Public Works Director Asher has agreed that the road schedule could be adjusted but that
wasn’t ideal.
Dustin Endres of Endres Custom Homes showed both the four and five-house layouts,
describing the changes in the lot widths and sizes and stated that he was willing to build either four
or five houses.
In response to a question from Jeri Scott, 6608 Emerson Avenue, Mr. Endres explained
that his potential buyers have visited the site.
John Powell, 6800 Emerson Lane, urged the Commissioners to follow the original project
deadline, and read a list of written questions and statements presented to the Commissioners. His
comments included asking who would be paying for the survey work, how four houses deviated
from the five or two houses determined to be most feasible at the April work session, what the
subsidy would be and whether or not it was an appropriate use of tax payer money, he suggested
that lot sizes should be consistent with other lots in the neighborhood, and that the lots be staked
ahead of time. He reported what taxes would be collected from four versus five houses and
questioned what the City’s Return on Investment would be for the project. He asked that the
neighbors be informed of all future consideration of the project.
Executive Director Stark clarified that part of the reason for bringing the four house concept
to the HRA was based on the assumption that the neighbors would prefer fewer units.
HRA Meeting Minutes -3- October 21, 2019
Sarah Witty, 6633 Emerson Avenue, asked whether the design of the homes was changing,
expressed a desire for more information and stated that they should decide whether four or five
homes would be built before anything is done.
David Paxson, 6732 Emerson Avenue, questioned a statement made at the previous public
hearing about there being a 10-year return on the HRA’s investment. Executive Director Stark
explained that that figure was based on taxes collected by all taxing jurisdictions and that it is just
an estimate. He reminded the Commissioners that the majority of the investment was 15 years ago
and that the goal is to try and make the best of the situation that investment has created.
Mr. Paxson then questioned what the return on investment would be if the property were
part of the Nature Center. Executive Director Stark explained that the return would be other
benefits to the community and not financial.
Jody Powell, 6800 Emerson Lane, pointed out that the builder has no purchase agreements
and therefore couldn’t move forward. She questioned what had been done since July and why
there was only one buyer.
April Pream, 6639 Emerson Avenue, described her own remodeling experience and that
she was told that variances weren’t possible, so she asked why the City would approve variances
for herself.
Mr. Endres explained that the exceptions required for the five-lot plan were to lot sizes and
lot widths, not setbacks and stated that many of the side setbacks exceed the required five feet.
Commissioner Sandahl stated that she also assumed the neighbors would prefer four
houses and was comfortable with the additional subsidy given the housing that would be added to
the community, meeting a goal of the HRA.
Commissioner Vrieze Daniels stated that she doesn’t want to amend the Contract and
wants to see no more subsidy provided.
Commissioner Elliott stated that he did not want to vote until the appraisal information
comes back.
Chair Supple confirmed that three votes were required to pass a motion. Commissioner
Sandahl then proposed an alternative motion:
M/Sandahl, S/Supple to amend the Contract with Endres Custom Homes extending the
deadline for three months until March 31.
Chair Supple stated that the three-month extension was appropriate given the delay caused
by the survey, which was no fault of the Builder. Executive Director Stark asked if the appraisal
came back with a lower subsidy, would that make a difference for the Commissioners. Chair
Supple stated that the amount of the subsidy did make a difference for her.
Chair Supple called for a roll call vote:
Elliott: yes
Vrieze Daniels: no
Sandahl: yes
Supple: yes
Motion carried: 3-1
HRA Meeting Minutes -4- October 21, 2019
Item #5 CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT FOR PRIVATE
DEVELOPMENT WITH TWIN CITIES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR 6310 IRVING
AVENUE SOUTH TO ALLOW REIMBURSEMENT FOR ABATEMENT OF
CONTAMINATED SOIL (S.R. NO 36)
Housing Manager Urban presented the staff report explaining that Twin Cities Habitat for
Humanity discovered asbestos siding in the soil at 6310 Irving Avenue and was requesting HRA
assistance to help pay for the extraordinary costs of removing the contaminant.
Executive Director Stark confirmed that the expense is an eligible expense for the Housing
and Redevelopment Fund.
M/ Sandahl, S/ Vrieze Daniels to amend the contract for private development with Twin
Cities Habitat for Humanity for 6310 Irving to allow reimbursement for abatement of contaminated
soil.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #6 CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE 2019 TOUR OF REMODELED HOMES (SR NO. 37)
Executive Director Stark presented the staff report explaining that five local businesses
each donated $200 as sponsors of the 2019 Tour of Remodeled Homes and thought it appropriate
to identify the entities by name, which were: Builders by Design, The Center for Energy and the
Environment, E.J. Hanson AIA, Sicora Design/Build and Steve Schneeberger of Keller Williams
Realty.
M/ Sandahl, S/ Vrieze Daniels to approve a resolution accepting contributions for the 2019
Tour of Remodeled Homes.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #7 HRA DISCUSSION ITEMS
None.
Item #8 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
None.
HRA Meeting Minutes -5- October 21,2019
Item #9 CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
M/Elliott, S/Vrieze Daniels that the following claims and payroll be approved:
U.S. BANK 10/21/2019
Section 8 Checks: 131117-131194 $166,340.71
HRA Checks: 33721-33745 $23,240.06
TOTAL $189,580.77
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #8 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:18 p.m.
Date Approved: November 18, 2019
-1/1,-, AL_z-
Mary B. S pple
HRA Chair
Jultan•an John St..
Ho ►g Manager Executive Di ctor