Laserfiche WebLink
HRA Special Meeting <br />Minutes – Monday, August 3, 2015 <br />Page 3 <br />1 <br />While agreeing that either location would fit, Member Masche suggested leaving this <br />2 <br />particular program as is; with agreement by consensus. <br />3 <br />4 <br />Strategic Goal 5 (pages 3 and 4) <br />5 <br />In Item B, Member Etten suggested revising language that would provide for exploring best <br />6 <br />practices of any HRA, whether located in the metropolitan area or nationwide to avoid limiting <br />7 <br />itself in finding those best practices wherever they may be. <br />8 <br />9 <br />Member Wall noted his observation of some of those good practices in the Cities of St. Cloud <br />10 <br />and Red Wing, MN; and agreed that there should be no limit as to the location of such <br />11 <br />research. <br />12 <br />13 <br />By consensus, language of Goal 5, Item B was revised as follows: <br />14 <br />“Explore the best practices of other effective HRA’s \[in the Metro area particularly those in <br />15 <br />neighboring cities\].” <br />16 <br />17 <br />General Comments <br />18 <br />During his general review and in reflection, Member Wall noted there was no mention of the <br />19 <br />HRA addressing the existing mobile home project; and questioned if that should be a unique <br />20 <br />issue requiring a special look, or if it was already incorporated with other initiatives. <br />21 <br />22 <br />Ms. Kelsey advised that related to the mobile home park, it is now under new ownership <br />23 <br />providing an opportunity to work with them on enhancements. Ms. Kelsey noted that, with <br />24 <br />mobile home parks, it was difficult to loan find financing options for mobile homes as they <br />25 <br />typically didn’t own the real estate, only the homes that were considered depreciating assets. <br />26 <br />Ms. Kelsey advised that considerable thought would be needed before offering any financial <br />27 <br />assistance for improvements, but perhaps partnering with Ramsey County for funding with the <br />28 <br />Community Development Block Grant program could be one option. However, Ms. Kelsey <br />29 <br />noted that Ramsey County encountered challenges in even allotting funding for mobile home <br />30 <br />communities. <br />31 <br />32 <br />Chair Maschka referenced a recent article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press providing extensive <br />33 <br />information on mobile housing issues, and reduced trends for that type of housing, even though <br />34 <br />it proved effective housing for many people. <br />35 <br />36 <br />Member Masche reported that with his real estate work, he was familiar with a national <br />37 <br />organization specializing in converting mobile home communities into cooperative housing <br />38 <br />communities. Member Masche further reported that his firm manages several that were <br />39 <br />working very well, even though he didn’t have personal experience with those efforts. <br />40 <br />Member Masche noted this increased property values of those mobile homes significantly due <br />41 <br />to infrastructure improvements and accessibility, and allowed for longer-term planning for <br />42 <br />those communities. <br />43 <br />44 <br />Member Wall noted the importance of that type of housing for a segment of the community; <br />45 <br />while unsure of how many were owned, rented, or the specific issues (e.g. maintenance needs) <br />46 <br />for that type of housing stock. Member Wall suggested it may be something the HRA can help <br />47 <br />owners with in the short term. <br />48 <br />49 <br />At the suggestion of Ms. Kelsey, Chair Maschka directed that this type of housing stock be <br />50 <br />incorporated with and addressed in workforce housing initiatives. <br />51 <br />52 <br />Member Wall suggested including it under Strategic Goal 4 (page 4) with ongoing items that <br />53 <br />required resources or staff time. <br />54 <br /> <br />