08-23-1993 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Elk River city council Meeting August 23, 1993 Page 4 concern relates to the refusal of HUD to issue FHA financing for the Deerfield 3rd and 4th Subdivisions. She explained that she has sent several letters to HUD requesting reinstatement to FHA status. She stated that the last letter she received from HUD suggested that the residents contact the City of Elk River or contact an attorney. She further stated that HUD has indicated that they will not make any changes until Jerry smith, the developer, has corrected all of the problems. She stated there are 244 homeowners in the area. Merry Sipe requested that the Council help the citizens as she felt that the elected representatives of the City would have a more significant impact with HUD. Mayor Duitsman indicated that the citizens have been treated unfairly and stated that he would like to see the FHA status reinstated. Cliff Skogstad, Building Official, informed that Council that he has been in contact with Thomas Feeney of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and has requested representatives from HUD to visit the site and point out the areas that need to be corrected. He stated he has received no response from HUD. Cliff skogstad indicated that he also spoke to Ken Hasskamp, Congressman Oberstar's representative. Mr. Hasskamp indicated that HOD has stated that until all violations are corrected, the FHA status will not change. Cliff indicated that there are four items that need to be corrected. They include changing wood retaining walls to concrete, correcting drainage and elevations, and the digging up of buried stumps. Councilmember Holmgren stated that the City has attempted to respond to the citizens and has been in contact with HUD through area representatives and Congressman. He suggested that the City contact our City Attorney to see what other steps can be taken to correct the matter. Councilmember Holmgren suggested that a meeting be set up with representatives of the area, the City Attorney, and Cliff Skogstad regarding this matter. Drainage in the area was discussed. Terry Maurer indicated that the City is in the process of reviewing the storm drainage throughout the City and is specifically looking at Deerfield 3rd and 4th Additions per Council direction on 8/16/93. Tom Brindamour indicated that in January of 1993 he informed the Council of a drainage problem he is experiencing in his yard. He indicated that the Council promised to correct the problem if he granted the City a right of entry to his property. This right of entry has not been signed. He stated that an attempt was made to correct the problem by banking the dirt, however, the drainage problem still exists. Tom Brindamour indicated that he does not wish to go to court with the matter~ but would like to settle it with the City Council. He further stated that he did not want the pond of water on his property but he would be willing to sell the area of land that holds the water to the City.