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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRA mtg july 2011 HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JULY 26, 2011 Call to order – 1.The meeting was called to order by Chair Diehm at 7:00 pm Roll Call 2. – Members present: Bruce Nawrocki, Gary Peterson, Donna Schmitt, Tammera Diehm, and Bobby Williams. Staff Present: Executive Director-Walt Fehst, Community Development Director-Scott Clark, Assistant Community Development Director -Sheila Cartney, and Secretary-Shelley Hanson Parkview/CommonBond staff: Laura Sheak, Laura Frost, and Lisa Wilcox-Erhart. 3.Pledge of Allegiance - Recited CONSENT AGENDA 4.Approve Minutes from May 24, 2011(special meeting). 5.Approve Financial Report and Payment of Bills for May and June 2011 on Resolution 2011-05. Questions from members: Nawrocki questioned the over charges for legal fees in the reports provided. Lisa responded that there have been several evictions and legal actions taken this year that caused this. He then questioned the amount listed under “bad debts”. Lisa explained that occasionally people move out without paying past due rent. The amount listed in the report was for a unit in the south building. Management does send the tenant a letter asking for payment and then turns it over to a collection agency. The unpaid amount is what is noted on the report. Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams, to approve the consent agenda items as listed and to adopt Resolution 2011-05, Resolution of the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) approving the Financial Statement and Payment of Bills for the months of May and June 2011. All Ayes. MOTION PASSED. HRA RESOLUTION 2011-05 RESOLUTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA) APPROVING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR MAY AND JUNE, 2011 AND PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE, 2011. WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is required by Minnesota Statutes Section 469.096, Subd. 9, to prepare a detailed financial statement which shows all receipts and disbursements, their nature, the money on hand, the purposes to which the money on hand is to be applied, the HRA's credits and assets and its outstanding liabilities; and WHEREAS, said Statute also requires the HRA to examine the statement and treasurer's vouchers or bills and if correct, to approve them by resolution and enter the resolution in its records; and HRA Minutes Page 2 July 26, 2011 WHEREAS, the financial statement for the months of May and June of 2011 and the list of bills for the months May and June 2011 are attached hereto and made a part of this resolution; and WHEREAS, the HRA has examined the financial statement and the list of bills and finds them to be acceptable as to both form and accuracy. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Columbia Heights Housing & Redevelopment Authority that it has examined the attached financial statements and list of bills, which are attached hereto and made a part hereof, and they are found to be correct, as to form and content; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the financial statements are acknowledged and received and the list of bills as presented in writing are approved for payment out of proper funds; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution and attachments are to be made a part of the permanent records of the Columbia Heights Housing & Redevelopment Authority. th Passed this 26 day of July, 2011. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.Report of the Management Company Laura asked if there were any questions on the newsletter items or on the monthly reports. Nawrocki asked what the status was for hiring an architect for the remodeling that was discussed at the last meeting. He was wondering if the low bidder was the company chosen to oversee the project. Lisa stated that based on the recommendation of the Board at the last meeting, they did proceed with the low bidder (WAI). The new company had to start from scratch to put specs together and will go out for bids in mid-August. Nawrocki then asked if the noise from the Star Bar was still an issue. Clark said that right after the last meeting, staff met with the Police Department, who in turn, met with the owner of the Star Bar. The owner has installed surveillance cameras as required by the mitigation plan in place. The Police Department is also doing extra patrols of the area during the evening hours. He hasn’t heard of any further complaints since these measures were taken. Lisa told members that the 2011 Capital Fund Grant came out and that Parkview Villa North received $92,207 that will be used for the renovations. HRA Minutes Page 3 July 26, 2011 7Resident Council Minutes . Rita Nelson reviewed the minutes with the members. She noted that they will be taking nominations for the open Vice President and Secretary positions on the Resident Council at the next meeting. She also informed the Board that Irene Sufka is hoping to be home in two weeks. nd Diehm and Nawrocki both reminded residents that National Night Out is August 2 and they encouraged residents to participate. Fehst said that if residents choose not to host their own party, that the Methodist Church is having one and they could attend at that location. 8. Citizen Forum th Diane Powell #905 stated there is a problem with someone on the 9 floor who continually opens the window in the hallway, summer and winter. She said the last few weeks when it has been so hot and humid, that it causes the whole floor to get hot. She said this person opens it during rainstorms and even during the winter and the snow blows in. She has reported it and wonders what can be done to keep it closed. Laura said it is happening on several floors, not th just the 9 floor. She suggested installing a lock on the window since they are not emergency windows used to escape. Nawrocki said management staff should be told who the person is that is doing it and that they should talk to that person and tell him to leave the windows closed. Abdullah (Adam) #611 said it happens on his floor also. That person uses the window to take pictures and then leaves the window open. Ruth Hillestad #310 asked if some other place could be designated for smoking other than around the front door. Management will try to encourage people to stay a certain distance from the front door, since there is no established policy in place. Clark has heard this is an issue and has directed staff to research various alternatives and costs so this can be discussed at the October meeting. Nawrocki said he knows this has been discussed before, but there is not money to build a smoking shelter. Management is doing a good job enforcing the no smoking indoors rule, but it is hard to control outside. 9. Other Business-Update on Aeon Transaction As previously explained, there is an extensive amount of work to be done so the investors can determine what they are buying. Clark reviewed with members and residents what has happened in the last two months: In May the Memorandum of Understanding was entered into. HRA Minutes Page 4 July 26, 2011 On June 13, 2011 Aeon met with staff and residents in a question and answer session where there were approximately 60 people in attendance. Written copies of the questions and answers have been distributed to all the residents. In June, staff contacted all the Federal and State Legislators, as well as other local officials to inform them of our plan to sell the building. Staff also went through all the past HRA files and contracts so Aeon could review them, along with past utility bills and rent structures. As Built drawings have been located and delivered to Aeon. In July, Aeon ordered Title work and a survey to be done. And it is anticipated that in August, Aeon’s acquisition team will do a detailed inspection of the building. There also will be four other inspections for the following: 1) Environmental Phase 1; 2) Lead and Asbestos; 3) Physical Capital Needs; and 4) Greener Energy Audit. In the fall discussions will take place with HUD, Finance Entities, the Met Council, etc. Nawrocki is concerned that this process will be dragged out needlessly. He thinks we need to find out what they are willing to pay to see if the City is even interested in moving forward at all. He said a preliminary figure should be established. Barb Camp #608 handed out an Article she found in the paper regarding another property AEON redeveloped. Mr. Camp wanted to know if rents would be raised if AEON purchases the building. Diehm explained it is the City’s goal to keep the rates affordable and protect the current residents and that Aeon is aware of that goal. If that goal can’t be met, the City may not move forward with the sale. Clark told residents that Aeon’s goal also is to provide low to moderate income housing at most of its facilities and that they are in the business of running these types of facilities. Ken Bloch #315 stated it makes more sense to have an entity that specializes in the housing business than to have the City oversee a facility such as Parkview. Barb Camp said she has reached out to the Elliot Park Neighborhood Association where Aeon currently has several buildings. So far, she hasn’t received a response from them. The next regular HRA meeting is scheduled for October 25, 2011 at Parkview Villa. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Shelley Hanson Recording Secretary