2015-06-30 HRA_Special_Meeting_Minutes

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HRA Special Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, June 30, 2015 Page 10 1 2 Ms. Raye noted that, after the last joint meeting with the City Council, there were comments made that 3 the community as not aware of what the HRA did. 4 5 At the request of Member Etten, Member Majerus noted during his tenure it had remained a challenge 6 of making the community aware of the HRA’s role, and should therefore, be at the forefront of 7 challenges, opportunities and strengths. 8 9 Member Etten sought further clarification from Member Majerus as to his intent: to identify the HRA or 10 to further the HRA goals by letting people know the role the HRA played in the community. 11 12 Member Majerus opined that, as people become more aware of who the HRA is, it could better flex its 13 muscles and realize those opportunities to provide a greater good to the community, as a collective body 14 in partnership with the City Council. 15 16 Speaking to what the HRA could do in the area of housing, Member Elkins opined that there were many 17 opportunities available for unique things not yet done in Roseville, but that had proven successful in 18 other places. As an example, Member Elkins noted the use of community land trusts (CLT’s) as one 19 concept, proven successful throughout the county; and providing another opportunity to address missing 20 areas in the City’s housing stock. Member Elkins noted that the City desperately needed senior 21 housing; and one area she’d worked on in her financing career had been Section 202, HUD subsidized 22 housing. However, Member Elkins noted that would require the HRA to hire someone to put a program 23 together to meet the HUD bureaucracy. However, Member Elkins noted the concept included some 24 housing at market rate based on one-quarter of your income, and didn’t necessarily have to be high-rise 25 buildings. As an example, Member Elkins referenced a project in which she’d been involved in 26 Maplewood; and the opposition from adjacent neighbors with a three-level building; and their change to 27 support the project once constructed. 28 29 Ms. Raye opined that this would meet the HRA’s goal to foster home ownership while guaranteeing 30 affordability. 31 32 While agreeing with other comments tonight, Member Lee opined that strategic acquisition is vital, 33 since the HRA could not accomplish anything without having control of a site; and within that, they 34 could then affect a significant change. 35 36 With strategic acquisition, Member Etten sought to clarify that it would be tempered by the HRA 37 Board; and any project identified, whether housing or business or each, and while it became a major 38 focal point for the HRA, it would still not preclude or ignore opportunities for other sites. Member 39 Etten sought to ensure the HRA didn’t become involved in things the private market could develop 40 without involvement by the HRA. 41 42 Member Lee clarified that was the strategic part. 43 44 Member Etten recognized that goal; however, he reiterated his concern that not all the HRA’s available 45 capital was tied up in acquisition; and that at least one visible, tangible project could be accomplished 46 by the HRA with support by the neighbors and signify the positive accomplishments of the HRA in the 47 community. 48 49 For further discussion at the next meeting, Ms. Raye suggested individual HRA members consider 50 foundational, historical and analytical aspects for these opportunities; and provide broad – not narrow – 51 projects that it may consider, or a mix of what could be achieved. 52 53 Member Etten referenced comments by Member Wall earlier in how to address the organizational 54 structure of the HRA, specific to the Executive Director’s position. 55