08-01-2016 HRA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 4 July 5,2016 as CMHP. She suggested taking"baby steps",by adding new sections each year to make expansion of the target area more manageable. Commissioners Kuester and Eder concurred, that it might be easier to add small sections. Ms. Eddy noted that what is being proposed would add approximately 100 more homes. Kuester stated that if they did it in an orderly fashion,it would be more acceptable to the public. Commissioner Burandt suggested they look at limiting the amount of projects they can do per year, and not limit the area the HRA can do them in. Chair Toth asked if expanding the area makes marketing more difficult. Ms. Eddy stated that they are limited by the amount of funds as to how many projects that they can do. Ms. Othoudt stated that four projects at the maximum loan amount of$25,000 would equal the budgeted$100,000. Mr. Zimny noted that they could possibly complete 5 or 6 projects, depending upon the amount requested. Commissioner Chuba stated he felt premature to open it up to the entire area. Othoudt agreed that the HRA needed to define the targeted area. Mr. Zimny noted that these are the city's funds, and they do not have to have a targeted area. He explained that the target area was necessary for the Small Cities Loan program application. Ms. Eddy noted that the targeted area did need to go to the Council for approval. Commissioner Eder stated she would support the criteria of 20-year age of the home, but if within the targeted area. Chair Toth stated he would support moving forward with the additional area as proposed for next year,with the Xenia area and see what ha pp ens. Commissioner Eder suggested they continue to track inquiries,to see where they are located. Ms. Othoudt stated that when city newsletter went out, did receive inquiries which staff has been tracking and will continue to track. Commissioner Burandt asked what would happen if a home were in urgent need and was located on the wrong side of the street. She felt there could be some flexibility. Ms. Othoudt suggested a clause for homes in need of funding through this program outside of the target area can apply on a case-by-case discretionary need. Mr. Zimny stated that he could understanding the desire to include hardship cases just outside the target area,but a line is needed somewhere to be able to treat everyone fairly. Discussion followed regarding pros and cons of allowing exceptions outside the target area. Commissioner Eder suggested leaving the program as it is for this year with the expansion, and next year,look at expanding the target area further, or including criteria for exceptions. She stated that they need to do the homework to see what other cities are doing. Ms. Othoudt stated that staff will gather information,make revisions of the policy,redefine targeted area,and look at Coon Rapids policy for 20-year age of home,and bring the policy back to future worksession. Commissioner Eder asked if Anoka has this type of program. Ms. Eddy stated she only was aware of programs like this in Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park. Commissioner Chuba asked about the exception for garage door openers and air conditioning. He stated that he did not feel these were "elitist"items. He stated that garage