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Housing and Redevelopment Workshop Meeting Minutes Page 2 <br /> April 7,2014 <br /> Commissioner Motin asked where the funds will come from. Mr. Beeman stated <br /> that the funds would come from the HRA reserve funds,which are currently <br /> $927,000. <br /> Discussion followed regarding the option of increasing the levy to replenish the <br /> reserves, terms for repayment of the loans, and what kind of interest there would be <br /> in using the loan program. The Commissioners were in agreement there likely would <br /> be fewer applications the first year,but through"word of mouth", there would likely <br /> be more interest the second and third years. Commissioner Motin stated he <br /> supported staggering the total loan amount, such as$70,000 the first year,and <br /> increasing in the second year. Mr. Kauffman stated that if he ends up with a waiting <br /> list, he will inform the HRA. <br /> Commissioner Chuba stated the only"hole"he sees in the HRA's rehab plan is the <br /> lack of a program to rehab single family rental units. Mr. Kauffman stated there are <br /> programs available,but the demand needs to be there in order to be worthwhile <br /> pursuing. Commissioner Chuba stated that he felt the bottom line is that the HRA <br /> wants to make the whole city look better. Chair Wilson stated that he would not <br /> want to hold up this program to explore single family rental rehab now. <br /> Commissioner Motin suggested that they start the program they are currently <br /> working on and see what the needs are. Mr. Kauffman stated that often when they <br /> start the rehab projects, they get calls from renters/landlords inquiring if they can <br /> participate. <br /> Mr. Kauffman asked if the HRA would like to expand the target area to the entire <br /> city,as had been suggested. He stated that currently, the target area includes the area <br /> identified in the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map as Old Town,with the addition <br /> of a triangular-shaped area of older housing north of the railroad tracks,west of <br /> Evans Street,roughly between l' and 2"d Streets. Commissioner Chuba stated he <br /> did not have a problem expanding to include the entire city. Chair Wilson stated that <br /> he would like to focus more on Old Town. Commissioner Kuester stated she felt <br /> the target area should be where there are houses closer together for the most impact, <br /> as in the Old Town district. Commissioner Motin stated he agreed with Chair <br /> Wilson that Old Town is more in need to rehab,and the HRA could always expand <br /> to include other areas if property owners aren't applying for the program. <br /> Chair Wilson asked if there would any coaching or help for applicants to fill out the <br /> forms. Mr. Kauffman stated that the only paperwork the applicants need to <br /> complete is the initial application,which includes providing the legal description of <br /> their property, and then obtaining bids. He felt the process was quite simple for the <br /> homeowners. <br /> Commissioner Chuba asked how soon the HRA could implement the program. Mr. <br /> Kauffman stated that after final approval, they would be ready to start immediately. <br /> Mr. Beeman stated that the final documents can be presented to the HRA at next <br /> month's meeting (May 5) for approval and go to the City Council that same night. A <br /> POWERED BY <br /> NATURE <br />