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Home My WebLink About03-05-12 HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2012 Call to order – 1.The meeting was called to order by Chair Diehm at 7:20 pm Roll Call 2. – Members present: Bruce Nawrocki, Gary Peterson, Donna Schmitt, Bobby Williams, and Tammera Diehm. Staff Present: Executive Director Walt Fehst, Community Development Director-Scott Clark, and Secretary-Shelley Hanson Aeon Representatives- James Lehnhoff, Gina Ciganik, and Melody Bridgeman (Consultant from HM Collaborative). 3.Pledge of Allegiance - Recited Move to an Executive Session at 7:20 pm to discuss Status of Negotiations with Aeon. The Meeting re-convened at 8:13 pm. BUSINESS ITEMS 4.Acknowledgement of Disclosure Statement Notice was received that an attorney with Kennedy and Graven will be serving on the Board of Directors with Aeon. The subject attorney will not be working with any Columbia Heights HRA files and therefore does not create a conflict under the “Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility or as a practical matter….” Clark explained a motion is needed to acknowledge receipt of the notice dated February 23, 2012. Questions from members: No questions. Motion by Schmitt, seconded by Williams, to authorize the Executive Director to sign an Acknowledgment of Kennedy and Graven’s Disclosure Letter dated February 23, 2012. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. 5Resolution 2012-03 Authorizing HRA to submit SAC application . Clark explained that as part of the Special Application Center (SAC) process the HRA has to provide authorization to make the application for the disposition of Parkview Villa North. This Resolution provides that authorization. Staff recommends the HRA approve this Resolution. Clark said the language states we are moving ahead with the sale of Parkview Villa. HUD will not review anything that is not a bona fide application, so it has to contain this language and must name Aeon as the purchaser. Aeon wants to have this submitted by the end of March. Diehm said once the application is prepared, she wants to review a copy of it before it is sent out, so she requested it be forwarded to them at least two days prior to it being sent. Page 2 March 5, 2012 Questions from members: Nawrocki stated he doesn’t like the language in the Resolution as he believes it commits the City to go through with the sale. He said he is not ready to commit to that since the final purchase price hasn’t been determined yet. Diehm clarified the language issues to Nawrocki and told him it doesn’t lock us in, just that we are supporting the process. Until there is a signed Purchase Agreement, either party can terminate at any time in the process. He wants it on record that he is not in favor of committing to the sale of Parkview until a sale price is negotiated in an acceptable amount. Schmitt said the Resolution language should be changed to say “low-income and disabled adults and seniors” (not just seniors). Motion by Peterson, seconded by Williams, to waive the reading of Resolution 2012-03 there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Williams, to adopt Resolution 2012-03 with changes as noted authorizing the HRA to submit application to HUD for the disposition of Parkview Villa North. Ayes- Diehm, Schmitt, Williams, Peterson Nay-Nawrocki MOTION PASSED. RESOLUTION 2012-03 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HRA TO SUBMIT APPLICATION TO HUD FOR THE DISPOSITION OF PARKVIEW VILLA NORTH. WHEREAS the City of Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority (hereafter “HRA”) currently owns Parkview Villa South, a 45-unit residential building serving seniors; and WHEREAS, the HRA also owns Parkview Villa North, a 101-unit high rise with Public Housing Authority designation serving low-income disabled adults and seniors; and WHEREAS, Parkview Villa North and Parkview Villa South, together called “Parkview Villa”, provide 146 units of affordable apartment homes in the City of Columbia Heights; and WHEREAS, Parkview Villa is the only property owned by the HRA; and WHEREAS, The HRA determined that it would be in the best interest of the property to transfer ownership to an entity that specializes in affordable housing rehabilitation, ownership, and management and has the capacity to effectively operate the buildings over the long-term; and WHEREAS, in Spring 2011 the HRA initiated a competitive selection process to identify a qualified affordable housing developer that would meet the following HRA goals for the sale of Parkview Villa: 1) Maintain the property as a strong and vibrant senior community; 2) Protect the existing rental price points for a pre-determined period of time; 3) Agree to a long-term covenant that requires the property to operate as a senior building; 4) Purchase the property at market price; and 5) Maintain a housing priority for Columba Heights residents; and WHEREAS, the HRA selected Aeon, a Minnesota 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, to own,rehabilitate, and manage Parkview Villa. Page 3 March 5, 2012 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Columbia Heights HRA that the Authority expresses its support of the request to dispose of the Public Housing units with its accompanying relocation plan; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Director is authorized to execute documents and provide certifications and submit to HUD for approval a request to dispose of the 101 unit Parkview Villa North, HUD project number MN105000001. Passed this 5th day of March, 2012 Offered by: Peterson Seconded by: Williams Roll Call: ayes-Diehm, Schmitt, Peterson, & Williams Nay-Nawrocki ___________________________________ Chair _______________________________ Shelley Hanson- Secretary 6. Update of Meeting regarding Notice to Residents- nd A meeting was held February 22 to notify residents of the process for relocation, even if it is not needed. It is federally mandated to inform the residents and the language in the notice is cumbersome as written by HUD. Clark explained that many residents are still confused by the notice they received and the fact they have to sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the notice. th Therefore, staff and Aeon are meeting with the residents again Tuesday, March 6 at noon to answer questions and alleviate any concerns they have. All residents have been personally notified of this meeting, as well as a notice being posted. Copies of the notice were given to the Board members in their packets. Clark told the members that the individual who sent the letter to the Board has not attended any of the meetings to date. Clark sent him a personal letter imploring him to attend the meeting on th March 6 so his misunderstandings can be addressed. Diehm said she felt the meetings were important and appreciates that Aeon is taking the time to explain the process to the residents. She asked to see a copy of the original notice that HUD required. Aeon will get that to Clark who will forward to each of the members. Diehm hopes that by appointing a member to the HRA from Parkview that some of these issues could be prevented. She understands that incorrect information can be very upsetting to some of the residents. Page 4 March 5, 2012 OTHER BUSINESS 6.Discussion of PHA Representative Clark explained that the HRA has not had a PHA representative for over a year. The individual who was selected has been unable to serve and was never sworn in. Over the next month, staff will investigate filling the open position. If the individual cannot be sworn in at the April meeting, staff wants direction on whether the Board wants to select another candidate from the pool that was interviewed in 2011 or if they would like to restart the process. The goal is to have a selection by the April meeting. Comments from members: Diehm said she will contact the resident who was appointed last year to see if she is willing to serve and to be sworn in at the April meeting. If she is unable to do so, she is comfortable with appointing one of the other two applicants that were interviewed last year. Nawrocki agreed with Diehm and looks forward to appointing someone to fill the existing term at the April meeting. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm at Parkview Villa. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hanson Secretary