HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 22, 2014 min
HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF JULY 22, 2014
1.Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chair Diehm at 7:00 pm.
2.Roll Call – Members present: Bruce Nawrocki, Gary Peterson, Donna Schmitt, Bobby
Williams, Tammera Diehm, and Rheta Nelson.
Staff Present: Executive Director-Walt Fehst, Community Development Director-Joseph
Hogeboom, and Secretary-Shelley Hanson.
CommonBond Staff- Laura Frost and Heidi Mindestrom
3.Pledge of Allegiance – Recited
CONSENT AGENDA
4.Approve Minutes of April 22, 2014.
5.Resolution 2014-08: Approve Financial Reports and Payment of Bills for April, May, and
June 2014.
Questions from members:
Frost responded to the question from the last meeting regarding the payment of late fees that
were listed on the General Ledger of January payments for several accounts (Home Depot,
Comcast, City of Columbia Heights Water). Frost told members she spoke with the accountant
to speed up the payment process so this doesn’t occur again. She said this was the only
month that it happened.
Frost also responded to the issue of the outstanding check (#1786) dated back to June 2013
for Johnson. Frost said that was a security deposit refund and it has been reissued to the
proper party and is resolved.
Nawrocki then commented on all the paperwork that was included in this agenda packet
regarding payment of bills. He thought it was excessive information. Hogeboom explained
the additional information was copied in error since new staff was unsure of the procedure.
Going forward members will be provided what they have been in the past.
HRA Minutes
Page 2
July 22, 2014
Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, to approve items on the Consent Agenda as
presented. All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
HRA RESOLUTION 2014-08
RESOLUTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA) APPROVING THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE, 2014 AND PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE MONTHS OF
APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE 2014
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
WHEREAS, the financial statement for the months of April, May, and June 2014 and the list of bills for the
months of April, May, and June 2014 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.
nd
Passed this 22 day of July 2014.
MOTION BY: Williams
SECONDED BY: Schmitt
AYES: All ayes
__________________________________
Chair
Attest by:
________________________________________
Shelley Hanson, Secretary
HRA Minutes
Page 3
July 22, 2014
BUSINESS ITEM
6. Report of Management Company
Frost reported that expenses were down for the quarter and occupancy has greatly improved.
She told members there are a couple of 2 bedroom units in the south building still available
and they have posted an ad in the Sun Newspaper to see if they get any response.
Mindestrom stated that 100 of the 101 units in the north building are occupied and the one
unit available has an approved renter ready to occupy. So that building will be at 100%
occupancy within a couple weeks. In the south building 42 of the 45 units are occupied, which
also is a big improvement from last winter.
7.Resident Council Minutes
Shirley Benitez reviewed the minutes of the Resident Council for the Board. This information
included news about various residents, some of the activities that have taken place, and some
of the issues/rules that need to be complied with by the residents. She invited members to an
ice cream social that is being held Wednesday, July 23 at Parkview. She also told them that a
picnic for the residents will be held in August.
The Treasurer then submitted the latest report to the Board for the record.
8.Citizens Forum
Larry Beaman asked if the benches outside could possibly be moved out from the wall a
little bit. He explained that the overhang is not tight to the building and that rain and
condensation from the AC’s drip down in the space between the building and the
awning/overhang right onto the benches. He said there are so many residents who enjoy
sitting outside that they could actually use a few more benches.
Mr. Beaman then asked if the City could somehow level out the path around LaBelle Pond.
He can’t get his motorized scooter over some of the steps or bumps on the path. Fehst
said he would discuss this with the Public Works Director.
HRA Minutes
Page 4
July 22, 2014
9.Administrative Update
Hogeboom reported that Aeon wants to set up a meeting with the residents to speak to them
directly about the delay in the process and to address any rumors they have heard. He
explained that staff went to Washington in April and were assured by the HUD office that they
would be issuing an approval letter shortly. To date, this letter has not been sent by HUD and
it is delaying the process again. Aeon needs this letter to obtain the rest of their financing. So
Staff has once again contacted Keith Ellingson’s office to have him intercede with HUD to
prompt some action.
Aeon is confident that the process will proceed and are busy preparing plans in order to
obtain permits for future projects that will be done.
Hogeboom then told everyone that the modernization projects are mostly done. He said the
only projects still being worked on are the big elevator and the fire panel updates which
should be completed within the next few weeks.
Hogeboom told members that since September a large amount of water usage has occurred
at Parkview and management and their maintenance person are monitoring the situation to
see what may be causing this. He asked residents to please report any leaking faucets or
running toilets as these could be a large part of the problem. Shirley Benitez from 324, said
residents now have to flush their new toilets 2 or 3 times in order to empty them properly.
She also said residents have to run their hot water a long time before they get any, but that
has been that way for a while. Ken Bloch from 315, said the toilet components are sticking
and sometimes they run all day, especially as some residents don’t hear very well.
Minestrom said Tom, the maintenance person, is monitoring the usage on a daily basis now.
Diehm stated the next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October28, 2014, at Parkview Villa.
Nawrocki asked about the upcoming meeting with Keith Ellingson that is taking place at St. Anthony
City Hall. He wanted clarification of the date and subject matter. Fehst told him the meeting is
th
scheduled for August 11 at 9 am. It is a town hall type of meeting in order to relay any concerns the
local cities have to Ellingson directly. He said if the letter from HUD is not yet received by that time, it
will be another opportunity to address that again with him.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Hanson, Secretary