2015-06-30 HRA_Special_Meeting_Minutes

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HRA Special Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, June 30, 2015 Page 6 1 opined the Chair had to have direct communication with the HRA, City Council, City Attorney and 2 staff; and could not and should not be left in the dark especially with these large projects. 3 4 Ms. Raye questioned if the developer’s deadline was allowed to slip or if the contract and project was 5 renegotiated and compromises put in place. 6 7 Member Wall opined that shouldn’t be necessary once the information is available for making 8 decisions. 9 10 From her experience with development projects, Member Lee stated an expired contract didn’t bother 11 her, and in real estate, things frequently ran over deadlines but still got done. Member Lee stated not 12 knowing more of the details was more bothersome to her, and everyone was in the same boat. Member 13 Lee expressed concern about an executive committee or only the HRA Chair getting into those details, 14 sine the HRA Executive Director and support staff were delegated by the HRA to perform that detailed 15 work, and should be able to do so. 16 17 Member Wall reiterated that the HRA Chair should never be out of touch with important facts or 18 decisions. 19 20 Member Majerus opined that everyone had responsibilities to follow; and suggested monthly or 21 quarterly reminders of what the HRA could or could not do, and make it very clear before moving 22 forward. Member Majerus invited the City Council to be part of that reminder with clear lines and 23 expectations. 24 25 Member Wall referenced the State Statute laying the role and responsibilities out. 26 27 Member Majerus opined the discussion was needed around that statute: what the HRA wanted to do and 28 was authorized to do; how they should act; and what they maybe could do but may not want to do. 29 30 Member Wall opined this was an important role for the City Attorney to play and explain the nuances 31 about the grey areas and limitations. 32 33 Member Majerus opined that was where he would like to see the HRA going forward on any future 34 project, and clarity with attorneys and partnerships and relationships and how they should look going 35 forward. 36 37 Member Wall opined that was one of his observations that information was not provided directly to the 38 HRA, since the HRA Attorney was working for the City, not the HRA. 39 40 Chair Maschka agreed that there was a clear communication breakdown at that level, with a whole 41 series of wishes and then reality setting in. 42 43 Member Wall opined that any attorney for this organization should report directly to the HRA about 44 contract terms, not only to staff. 45 46 Member Majerus suggested when the HRA considered a project in the future, staff and the HRA 47 Attorney be asked to address the HRA explaining our parameters for that particular project; specific 48 things to consider and what the body could and could not do. Member Majerus opined it would serve 49 as a learning process. Majerus agreed that, if he were serving on the City Council, such a process 50 would give me confidence that the HRA is working in areas in which they were sure of themselves. 51 Given the amount of responsibility given the HRA to move in those areas, Member Majerus noted their 52 need to do so confidently. 53 54 Ms. Raye noted several flags indicating that, while it was preferable to not have the HRA look over the 55 shoulder of staff, it was important that a flag is raised when the HRA needed more advise or more