HomeMy WebLinkAboutJun 6, 1977OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
JUNE 6, 1977
The Meeting was called to order at 8:55 p.m.
Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--present
Heintz--absent
Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Norberg to name Karen DeBruin
secretary for the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes
Mayor Nawrocki noted that this special meeting was a public
hearing called for the purpose of discussing the proposed
Columbia Heights Housing Assistance Plan. He turned the
floor over to Mr. Roger Jensen, Assistant Housing and
Redevelopment Authority Director.
Mr. Jensen reported that two activities on the City's
Community Development Block Grant Fund pre-application had been
approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
1. Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Residential Structures
2. Rehabilitation Loans and Grants
Full applications on these two activities must now be submitted.
He explained that an approved Housing Assistance Plan was
part of the application.
June 10 was noted as the deadline for full application to the
State Planning Agency; and July 28 as the deadline for full
application to Metropolitan Council and to the Department
of Housing and Urban Development.
Mr. Jensen went on to say that the Housing Assistance Plan is
a tool that is used to give direction to housing for low and
moderate income people. He also noted that the guidelines for
the plan are set forth by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. The City supplies the appropriate figures.
Mr. Jensen stated that Mr. Phil Honsey had done the bulk of the
research and would be making the presentation this evening.
Mr. Honsey began by explaining that the Housing Assistance Plan is
made up of four major parts: Survey of Housing Assistance
needs of Lower income Households, Housing conditions, Goal for Lower
Income Housing, and General Locations for Proposed Lower Income
Housing; with a Narrative throughout. A short explanation was
given for each of the four major sections.
Councilman Norberg asked to what extent the plan would
commit the City. Mr. Honsey stated there was no commitment
June 6, 1977
He stated that the Department of Housing and Urban Development
wants to see that the City has goals in mind. Hr. Honsey
emphasized that the purpose of the Housing Assistance P]an
is to give the City direction.
Councilman Norberg stated that he felt carrying through with
this plan puts the City "pretty heavily into the landlord business."
He stated that he did not think the City shoLlo be in such
a position. Hr. Jensen stated that he did not think this put
the City into the "landlord business." layor Nawrocki
stated that the Housing Assistance Plan was really a goal
rather than a plan. He went on to say that it is a general
indication of need, perhaps on the conservative side.
Councilman Norberg argued that the plan was more a statement
of intent than a statement of need.
Mr. Jensen stated that there is nothing in the plan that
necessarily has to happen.
Councilman Norberg noted that he-lid not like the direction
the plan was indicating. The Mayor stated that housing is
getting to be a more and more critical problem, not only in
the City of Columbia Heights, but in society in general. The
genera] concept of the plan is to try to assist people in
getting affordable housing. He went on to say that he is
satisfied with the direction the Housing Authority is
taki nc.
Councilman Norber9 stated that he is in total agreement with
the idea of rehabilitating existing housing stock; he said it's
exactly what Columbia Heights needs. He reiterated that he
does not want ~_o see the City in the '~landlord'' business.
Discussion continued aion9 these lines.
RESOLUTION 77-31
ADOPTING A HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,
MINNESOTA
WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights recognizws that preservation
and expansion of its housin9 stack to meet the needs of low and
moderate income citizens of the community is a 9oal of primary
importance and,
WHEREAS, the Housing Assistance plan is a necessary component of
the full application for Community Development Block Grant Funds,
and,,
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the plan which was developed
under the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Metropolitan
Council guidelines, and found its content to be consistent with
the housing goals of this Community and,
June 6, 1977
WHEREAS, the City Council has duly held a public hearing on the
Housing Assistance Plan on June 6, 1977.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. This Housing Assistance Plan be adopted by the City of
Columbia Heights, MN.
2. The plan be transmitted as part ofthe full application
for Community Development Block Grant Funds to the State
Planning Agency, Metropolitan Council and Department of
Housing and Urban Development for their review and consideration.
Offered by:
Seconded by:
Roll Call :
Logacz
Hentges
Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki--aye
Norberg--nay
RESOLUTION # 77-32
AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF A FULL APPLICATION
FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS
WHEREAS, the City Council, after two public hearings and careful
review of the needs of the community, authorized the Planning
Department, with the assistance of the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority to prepare and submit a preapplication for Community
Development Block Grant Funds and,
WHEREAS, two activities in the preapplication were invited by
H.U.D. to be submitted in full application form. These activities
being:'Rehabilitation Loan, Grant and Winterization Program and
Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Vacant Residential Structures, and,
WHEREAS,this full application has been reviewed by the Council.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THAT:
1. The Mayor and City Manager be authorized to sign and transmit
copies of a full application for Community Development Block
Grant Funds to the Metropolitan Council, the State Planning
Agency, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development
for their revisw and consideration of the activities for which
Federal assistance is requested.
June 6, 1977
2. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority be authorized
administer these activities funded by the grant.
Offered by: Hentges
Seconded by: Logacz
Roll Call logacz, Hentges,
Norberg--abstain
Nawrocki--aye
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
to
Br~ce G. Nawrocki, Mayor
Se c~-~ta ry