02-23-2022 HRA Regular
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
Held via WebEx
February 23, 2022
CALL TO ORDER – ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Supple at 7:01 p.m. via WebEx.
HRA Members
Mary Supple, Chair; Maria Regan Gonzalez; Sue Sandahl; Erin Vrieze
Present:
Daniels; and Lee Ohnesorge
HRA Members
None
Absent:
Staff Present:
Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director; Julie Urban,
Assistant Community Development Director; LaTonia DuBois,
Administrative Assistant; Jane Skov, IT Manager; and Kari Sinning, City
Clerk.
OPEN FORUM
Chair Supple provided instructions to call in for the open forum. Administrative Assistant
DuBois stated that there were no callers and no prior emails.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
M/Regan Gonzalez, S/Sandahl to approve the minutes of the regular Housing and
Redevelopment Authority meeting of January 18, 2022.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Supple: AYE
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Vrieze Daniels: AYE
Sandahl: AYE
Ohnesorge: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
HRA Meeting Minutes -2- February 23, 2022
Item #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Sandahl, S/Vrieze Daniels to approve the agenda.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Supple: AYE
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Vrieze Daniels: AYE
Sandahl: AYE
Ohnesorge: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #2 CONSENT CALENDAR
Assistant Community Development Director Urban presented the Consent Calendar:
A. Designation of Community Development Director Melissa Poehlman as the Executive
Director of the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority for 2022. (Staff Report
No. 7)
B. Consideration of the approval of revisions to the First Time Homebuyer Program
Guidelines. (Staff Report No. 8)
M/Sandahl, S/Regan Gonzalez to approve the Consent Calendar.
Chair Supple mentioned that the First Time Homebuyer Program revisions will help with
Woodlawn Terrace and welcomed and congratulated Executive Director Poehlman.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Supple: AYE
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Vrieze Daniels: AYE
Sandahl: AYE
Ohnesorge: AYE
Motion Carried 5-0
Item #3 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
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Item #4 CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BYLAWS OF
THE RICHFIELD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO CLARIFY
THE STAGGERING OF APPOINTMENT TERMS, CHANGE THE ANNUAL
MEETING DATE, AND INDICATE THE RULES OF ORDER UNDER WHICH THE
BOARD WILL OPERATE (STAFF REPORT NO. 9)
Assistant Community Development Director Urban presented Staff Report No. 9.
Commissioner Vrieze Daniels asked for future revisions to include vacancy language if
Council Members are no longer active.
Commissioner Sandahl asked about the start of other City commissions. Assistant
Community Development Director Urban stated that they would continue to be at the beginning of
the year.
M/Sandahl, S/Regan Gonzalez to adopt a resolution amending the Bylaws of the Richfield
Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
HRA RESOLUTION NO. 1424
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BYLAWS OF THE HOUSING
AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Supple: AYE
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Vrieze Daniels: AYE
Sandahl: AYE
Ohnesorge: AYE
Motion Carried 5-0
Item #6 HRA DISCUSSION ITEMS
Commissioner Regan Gonzalez asked if there was any media about the great work
regarding the Woodlawn Terrace. Assistant Community Development Director Urban stated that
there were press releases through the property owners. Commissioner Sandahl commented that
they are already moving new homes into the area. Assistant Community Development Director
Urban stated that seven new units are available.
Chair Supple stated that there is a multi-family housing accessibility bill going through
legislature and Richfield’s inclusive housing policies were lifted up as an example. Chair Supple
brought up an item for staff to think about regarding eligibility for unsheltered individuals applying
for Richfield Housing Programs as Richfield residents tend to get priority in some programs.
Chair Supple thanked Commissioner Sandahl for her service and wisdom in the HRA/EDA
as this is her last meeting. Commissioner Regan Gonzalez also thanked Commissioner Sandahl
for her leadership throughout her many roles in the Richfield community. Commissioner Ohnesorge
also thanked Commissioner Sandahl for her time and commitment to the HRA. Commissioner
HRA Meeting Minutes -4- February 23, 2022
Vrieze Daniels stated that she will miss sitting next to her in meetings and will see her around the
community. Commissioner Sandahl appreciated her time on the HRA and the good that the HRA
brings to the community.
Item #7 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Assistant Community Development Director Urban stated that 6501 Penn did not receive
tax exempt funding. Chair Supple asked if demolition has started on the property. Assistant
Community Development Director Urban stated that there are some groundwater issues and a
contract might be brought to the HRA in April.
Assistant Community Development Director Urban shared the status of the housing
voucher program of which over 3700 applications were received and 250 of those will receive
Richfield local preference. She expressed the importance of this program for housing stability.
Assistant Community Development Director Urban stated that the Kids @ Home Program
will be accepting new applications at the end of the month.
Item #8 CLAIMS
M/Regan Gonzalez, S/Sandahl that the following claims be approved:
U.S. BANK 2/23/2022
Section 8 Checks: 133546 – 133629 $190,155.00
HRA Checks: 34140 – 34152 $16,675.83
$206,830.83
TOTAL
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Supple: AYE
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Vrieze Daniels: AYE
Sandahl: AYE
Ohnesorge: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #9 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:26 p.m.
Date Approved: March 21, 2022
Mary B. Supple
HRA Chair
HRA Meeting Minutes -5- February 23, 2022
Kari Sinning Julie Urban
City Clerk Acting Executive Director