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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-09 HRA Packet - cancelled AGENDA MAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9,2009 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. October 14, 2009 5. Unfinished Business 6. New Business a. HRA Vacancy-Interview Questions for City Council b. Economic Development Authority-Questions by HRA 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Commission Presentations 9. Staff Presentations 10. Adjournment DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Pearson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Chairperson GaryPearson Commissioner Josh Richter Commissioner Joy Tkachuck Vice-Chairperson Beth Ulrich Present Present Present Absent Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand. Citv Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Richter moved approval of the agenda as presented. Commissioner Tkachuck seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. August 12, 2009 Commissioner Tkachuck moved to approve the minutes of August 12, 2009 as presented. Commissioner Richter seconded The motion passed. Ayes - Pearson, Richter, Tkachuck V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS Since city attorney Alan Kantrud was not yet present at the meeting, it was decided to proceed with the code enforcement report. a. 2009 Third Quarter Code Enforcement Report City planner Tom Ekstrand presented the 2009 third quarter code enforcement report that was assembled by building official David Fisher. Planner Ekstrand said the report was grouped into four categories: long grass and weeds, debris and trash, junk vehicles and parking on grass, and miscellaneous zoning complaints. Planner Ekstrand compared this year's figures-to-date with the 2008 totals. Commissioner Pearson requested that staff break down the figures in each category at the enforcement process time to show those numbers. Housing and Redevelopment Authority -2- Minutes of 10-14-09 b. City of Maplewood Commission Handbook and HRA Bylaws Since city attorney Alan Kantrud was not present at the meeting, City planner Tom Ekstrand presented the city commission handbook and HRA bylaws and answered questions from the commission. Planner Ekstrand said the various appendices will be provided to the HRA commission at the next meeting. VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS A woman visitor explained she is a Maplewood homeowner who is working on a school Masters Degree project and is employed at the St. Paul Public Housing Agency. It was mentioned to her that there is an opening on the HRA. VIII. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS Commissioner Pearson said he has heard that N.E.ST bus service is being cut back or cancelled and asked staff to check on that. Planner Ekstrand said he would check and report back. IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Planner Ekstrand informed the commission that the next regular meeting is scheduled on Veterans Day and city offices will be closed. Planner Ekstrand asked if the commission would like to reschedule or cancel the November meeting. Commissioner Pearson suggested the November meeting be cancelled and the December meeting be held at the regularly scheduled time. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: DATE: James Antonen, City Manager Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner DuWayne Konewko, Community Development and Parks Director HRA Membership Interview Questions December 1, 2009 TO: FROM: INTRODUCTION The city council is asking that each advisory committee review the current list of questions that the council typically asks during interviews for committee vacancies. Please consider questions specific to the reappointment of existing members as well as questions specific for new members. The council would like these questions to consider when they interview for the HRA vacancy. Since there are six specific commissions or boards, the council will be staggering their review of prospective members in the upcoming months. DISCUSSION Existing Questions asked by the City Council Please refer to the attached interview questions for the HRA applicants. Suggested Questions by Staff The following questions are suggested for discussion and elaboration by the HRA as possible interview questions: Questions for New Members 1. What do you see as a particular housing need in Maplewood? For example, more or less affordable housing? More or less multi-family housing? 2. Do you feel the city should turn its focus for housing development toward encouraging any particular type of housing? 3. Do you have any background in the various financial methods available (private or public) for housing development? 4. What is your understanding of the role of the HRA plays as it relates to the city council? 5. In addition to attendance at the once a month, Wednesday HRA meetings, would you be available to attend the Monday city council periodically as the HRA's representative to discuss the HRA recommendation on a proposal? 6. The city has seven other advisory committees that provide input to the city council. Why do you feel you are most suited to serving on the HRA rather than one of the others? These are the community design review board, the planning commission, the environmental and natural resources commission, the historical preservation commission, the parks and recreation commission, the business and economic development commission and the police civil service commission. 7. How would you react if you felt strongly about what the HRA should be recommending to the council if you were in the minority or perhaps the only member opposed to the views of the rest of the body? Questions for Existina Members Seekina Reappointment 1. After serving on the HRA for several years, what suggestions do you have that would improve the groups role in the city's housing review process? 2. As a follow-up to #1, what suggestions do you have that would improve the city as a whole in terms of its housing goals? 3. What has been your greatest reward, if any, as serving as member of the HRA? 4. What has been your greatest disappointment, if any? 5. Do you feel that you have been effective or have made a difference while serving as a member of the HRA? 6. Do you feel that the HRA as a group has been effective in its role in the Maplewood development process? CONCLUSION The above interview questions are merely suggestions. Please accept, rewrite or disregard them as you see fit. Any additional questions the HRA would like to forward are welcome. Staff will then forward them to the city council for their consideration. RECOMMENDATION Please review the attached questions and forward a recommendation to the city council to expand upon their interview questions for HRA membership. P:hralCouncillnterview Questions for hra Membership 12 09 te Attachment: 1. Current HRA Interview Questions For Applicants 2 Work Session Agenda Item Attachment HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR APPLICANTS 1. What about being a member of the Maplewood HRA interests you the most? 2. What impact(s) would you like to have on the future development and growth of Maplewood as an HRA member? 3. Regarding the housing stock in Maplewood, do you see a need for proactive action by the HRA or the city in general for improvement? For example, as it relates to things like: redevelopment, improvement of housing stock due to better maintenance codes, other? 4. What are your views/opinions regarding continued development or growth of Maplewood since we are nearing a state of full development? 5. What housing developments or neighborhoods in Maplewood, old or new, do you feel are enduring from the standpoint of design, desirability and density? Why do you feel so? 6. Do you see the city government as an impetus of proactive change and improvement and growth in housing matters, or one that should more so be in a position to primarily react to proposals that are brought forth by developers? MEMORANDUM DATE: James Antonen, City Manager Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner DuWayne Konewko, Community Development and Parks Director Economic Development Authority-Questions by Commission Member Ulrich December 1, 2009 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION On August 12, 2009, staff informed the HRA about the recently adopted economic development authority ordinance passed by the city council. The information presented was meant to make sure the HRA was aware of this step by the city council toward establishing both an EDA, the economic development authority (positions to be filled by the council themselves) and the BEDC, the business and economic development commission. The information given at the August 12 meeting was brief and it generated many questions by the committee. Following the meeting, HRA member Beth Ulrich emailed staff with several concerns and questions. Staff would like to respond to these for the committee as Ms. Ulrich requested. We're sorry for the delay in doing so. I have included Beth's email for reference, but her points of concern and questions are restated below. DISCUSSION Ms. Ulrich's Questions 1. What will the role of the HRA be in conjunction with the EDA? 2. There are concerns over the possible overlap and/or disconnect between the roles the HRA and BEDC will have. 3. If there are two separate entities, perhaps there should be one commissioner to sit on both committees to keep both groups apprised of each other's activities. 4. The ordinance for the BEDC has a requirement for a small business representative-I would recommend someone with small business lending experience or public finance also be included on the commission. 5. In order to provide subsidies to businesses, the city needs to comply with the Minnesota Statute #116J.995. We would need to adopt criteria and there are reporting requirements that go along with the law. Has this been looked into? 6. How will the EDA collect and administer funds? 7. When would bonding authority be used? 8. Have program guidelines been established? 9. Is the city looking at bringing in new businesses, encouraging business expansion, making physical improvements to commercial properties and funding working capital? 10. Are there job-creation requirements tied to the subsidies? 11. I assume the city would set up a loan fund. Therefore, I assume a loan review committee would be needed. 12. Does the city have staff familiar with the nuances of business finance and redevelopment? If not are we looking to contract or hire for this expertise? What kind of budget implications would this have? Staff's Reply 1. The HRA will continue to make recommendations to the city council. There could be opportunities to develop a formal relationship between the HRA and EDA. Staff expects that role of the HRA will remain housing. The focus of the EDA will presumably be broader including matters like business retention, business attraction and funding assistance opportunities. 2. As mentioned, the HRA will continue to focus on housing issues and the BE DC will focus on commercial and industrial issues. There will be opportunities for both groups to work together. Staff sees this as a positive if there are development or redevelopment opportunities that will necessitate the involvement of both the HRA and BEDC. 3. The council will determine the structure of the BE DC and will give consideration to having a commissioner serve on both committees. This seems like a good idea to provide continuity and to share information between the two groups. As of now, however, there is no requirement for one commissioner to sit on both committees. 4. This is a good suggestion. As stated in the question, the only requirement is for small business experience. The city council will evaluate other qualifications. We would certainly welcome someone with business lending experience on the BEDC. 5. The city attorney will assure that we follow state statutes and proper procedures. 6. This has yet to be determined, but all elements of the city will work together on this function-community development, finance, legal, etc. 7. This is a discussion point that the EDA will have to take up. 8. Programs and their guidelines will be worked on by the EDA. 9. The city will be looking to do all those functions at some point under the economic development umbrella. As previously mentioned, it is anticipated that a couple of areas will be concentrated on at first to help build the economic development initiative. 10. There could be situations where subsidies have differing conditions or requirements tied to them. This will be at the direction of the EDA. 2 11. Establishing a revolving loan fund has been discussed and most likely will be acted upon. The specifics of how the fund would work have not been worked out. 12. This is a city-wide initiative. Expertise from all city departments will be pulled from in order to make this a successful venture. While staff from the community development department will act as staff liaison, members from all departments including finance, public works and administration will contribute to the economic development program. RECOMMENDATION No recommendation is needed. P:hraleconomic development commission questions 12 09 te Attachment: 1. Beth Ulrich Email dated August 12, 2009 3 Tom Ekstrand Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: beth ulrich [ulrichhome@yahoo.com] Wednesday, August 12,20099:54 PM Gary Pearson; Dave Fisher Joy Tkachuck; Joshua Richter; Tom Ekstrand Follow up to August 12 HRA Follow up Flagged From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Dave & Gary, I have some additional thoughts on the EDA discussion from the meeting this evening.... I'm a little frustrated with the way the EDA information was on the agenda for tonight's meeting. The cover memo didn't include any direction as far as if it was just for informational purposes, if feedback was solicited, or if there was some other reason we were asked to look at it. The topic obviously generated a lot of discussion and unfortunately no one was present that could answer any questions. Due to meeting schedules and ordinance reading dates it doesn't sound like we will get any questions answered prior to the ordinances being enacted, which makes one ask herself, "What was the point of this?" However inquiring minds still want to know... Although I did ask about the role of the HRA in conjunction with the EDA, I'm not sure the motion we passed was ideal, but hopefully it generates some discussion between our commission and City Council. I have some concerns about the possible overlap and/or disconnect between the roles the HRA and BEDC will have. If we have two separate entities, I would recommend that we have one commissioner that sits on both bodies so they can keep one body apprised of the others development activities. I'm not sure we have someone who is currently equipped and/or wiling to do both, but we do have a seat open on the HRA and it may be something to consider prior to filling it. The ordinance for the BEDC has a requirement for a small business representative, I would recommend that someone with small business lending experience or public finance also be included on the commission. In order to provide subsidies to businesses, the City needs to comply with Minnesota Stat. 9116J.993 to 9116J.995. We would need to adopt criteria and there are reporting requirements that go along with the law. Has this been looked into? I also have some questions about how the EDA will collect and administer funds... When would bonding authority be used? Have program guidelines been established? Are you looking at bringing in new businesses, encouraging business expansion, making physical improvements to commercial properties, funding working capital? Are there job creation requirements tied to the subsidies? I would assume the City would set up a loan fund. I also assume a loan review committee would be needed. Does the City have staff that is familiar with the nuances of business finance and redevelopment? If not, are we looking to hire or contract for this expertise. What kind of budget implications does all of this have? I'm sure thought has been given to these items, and it would be helpful if it would be shared with the HRA. What would be the proper procedure to ask for this? Thanks, Beth Ulrich 1