2012-02-21_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

HRA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Page 5 1 Mr. Trudgeon noted that, while some of the study information was sobering, the research 2 provided another area of awareness of some of the prevalent situations facing the community 3 and its housing needs. Mr. Trudgeon advised the Board that, as a first step, staff had met with 4 Ramsey County’s Homeless Initiative staff to initiate dialogue. While this study started out as 5 the HRA’s interest in intergenerational housing and whether such a model could be used to 6 make a difference in Roseville’s housing needs, Mr. Trudgeon noted that suburban 7 homelessness had been identified as a potential problem. 8 9 Mr. Trudgeon suggested that the HRA needed to be cognizant of the difficulties being faced by 10 single parents at or below poverty rate who were attempting to resolve their situations. 11 However, Mr. Trudgeon questioned how they could go for a job interview, much less hold a 12 job, without stable housing or some help in doing so. Mr. Trudgeon suggested a future 13 scenario of partnering those single parents with select and interested members of the City’s 14 senior population looking to stay in their homes, but needing help maintaining those homes, or 15 with household chores; and the potential of bartering housing with those needs among the 16 generations. While recognizing that such a solution was not of interest to everyone, Mr. 17 Trudgeon noted that it could be another option; but requiring grass roots efforts and a vision, 18 since funding was not currently available at the state level. 19 20 Mr. Trudgeon asked that the HRA Board keep this study in mind as they moved into their 21 strategic planning in the near future. 22 23 At the request of Chair Maschka as to references made to other studies and reports, Ms. Kelsey 24 advised that they were available on line. Chair Maschka asked that staff share that information 25 with other community and/or area stakeholders (e.g. Northwest Youth and Family Services) as 26 those agencies worked toward the same goals and had found similar issues in their work. 27 Chair Maschka opined that there was an amazing amount of poverty that had developed in the 28 north suburban area over the last few years. 29 30 Member Masche noted the importance of recognizing that there was an issue here in Roseville 31 as a first-ring suburb, not just continuing to associate the issue with the Greater Minneapolis 32 and/or St. Paul jurisdictions. Member Masche expressed appreciation for the thought- 33 provoking report and efforts expended in performing the research. 34 35 d. Barbara Raye Strategic Plan 36 Mr. Trudgeon introduced Ms. Barbara Ray, consultant to the HRA in updating their strategic 37 plan; noting that tonight would serve as the kick-off meeting for those efforts over a series of 38 meetings over the spring and summer months, with a Saturday work session planned in the 39 future for serious focus as those efforts came to fruition. 40 41 Barbara Raye 42 Ms. Ray briefly introduced herself and provided her credentials; and reviewed the intended 43 process; and tonight’s purpose to seek initial and individual feedback on that process. In an 44 effort to give meaning to the data being researched and past studies, and their implication to 45 the community, Ms. Raye suggested that that data, in addition to researching best practices and 46 other applicable studies, be used to narrow the HRA Board’s priorities as well as analyzing the 47 pros/cons of options. Ms. Raye noted that obviously there was more work to be done than 48 could be accomplished, thus the need to develop a plan that would modify and vet options, and 49 identify areas of focus for significant contributions to be made. Ms. Raye advised that she 50 anticipated completion of the HRA’s strategic plan in June, and subsequent presentation of the 51 final plan to the City Council; all representing a very aggressive schedule. Given the time 52 constraints, Ms. Raye asked that individual HRA Board members provide their questions, 53 ideas, and analysis as decision-makers. 54 55 In order to initiate tonight’s discussion, Ms. Raye asked three (3) questions: