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HRA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 6 1 with some of these needs rather than the private market, and in light of a limited amount of 2 time, staff and financial resources. 3 4 Member Wall suggested that would be a good discussion at the planning session: how to 5 allocate funds, address blighted properties and provide them with new opportunities, while 6 allowing for some flexibility in those goals and efforts. 7 8 With concurrence by Member Lee, Chair Maschka noted that specific to the issue of assembly 9 of parcels, the HRA had at its availability grants, bonding authority and revolving fees that 10 could assist with the problem of assembling smaller parcels and turning them over to the 11 market for development. 12 13 Mr. Bilotta noted that HRA roles often tended to address areas where the private sector market 14 failed, typically in parcel assembly since no private developer was interested in sitting on 15 parcels long-term. Mr. Bilotta reviewed some current parcels that were going through the 16 abatement process now, and may turn into development or redevelopment opportunities. Mr. 17 Bilotta noted the potential for the HRA to serve in the capacity of assembling parcels, and then 18 removing itself from the project; as well as another option in pursuing affordable housing or 19 other housing types that were still missing in the City’s available housing stock. 20 21 10.Information Reports and Other Business (Reports by Staff and Board Members) 22 As two separate bench handouts, attached hereto and made a part hereof, Mr. Bilotta provided 23 examples of information used by staff internally that could be provided to the HRA Board for their 24 decision-making processes and consisting of code enforcement tracking data and locations city-wide; 25 and the status of ongoing development projects and developer activity reports. 26 27 By consensus, the HRA Board determined this information would prove helpful and staff duly noted 28 future provision of such data to the body. 29 30 Mr. Bilotta noted that in order to get the rental registration program up and operating, staff had 31 reallocated resources from the Neighborhood and Business Enhancement Programs (NEP and BEP), but 32 would be attempting both programs this year, focusing on the community’s gateways this year, and then 33 over the next three years, assessing other areas of the community. As part of this effort, Mr. Bilotta 34 noted the inclusion of the HRA’s available housing programs and property maintenance guidelines as 35 part of the information provided by inspectors. 36 37 Mr. Bilotta provided an update of the pending hotel/motel study, anticipating receipt by staff by June 4, 38 and subsequent dissemination to the HRA Board via e-mail prior to their next meeting if its format is 39 appropriate for dissemination and not needing further work beforehand. 40 41 Mr. Bilotta reported that inspection staff was currently re-inspecting rental licensing buildings initially 42 receiving a “D” grade. 43 44 Mr. Bilotta reported on the recent open house held by the GMHC for the revised Dale Street Project, 45 and status of the closing on the HRA property pending the HRA Attorney’s review and approval; with a 46 signed Predevelopment Agreement in place between the City and GMHC. 47 48 Mr. Bilotta reported on the Sherman Apartment Project and recent receipt of their tax increment 49 financing (TIF) application, currently under review by the City’s financial advisors and anticipated for 50 the City Council’s review in late June or early July depending on the results of that review. 51 52 Mr. Bilotta provided an update on the new single-family home at 1840 Hamline Avenue and staff’s 53 friendly written “nudge” to those property owners to increase activity at the home, in light of the recent 54 sale of their current home. Mr. Bilotta advised that building inspections to-date had proven favorable. 55