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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