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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, September 10, 2007 <br />Page 20 <br />Additional discussion included the HRA role in code enforce- <br />ment; pro-active involvement of the HRA in encouraging main- <br />tenance and renovation of aging housing stock within the com- <br />munity; previous availability of second generation federal dol- <br />lars through payback of loans, with restricted fimding for multi- <br />family housing projects. <br />Further discussion included the practice of carryover funds by <br />the HRA from one year to the next when not fully expended <br />and their distribution throughout the HRA budget as applicable <br />and appropriate; replenishing loan programs; need to enhance <br />multi-family housing programming; and providing programs <br />needed by the community, rather than funding obsolete pro- <br />grams. <br />City Manager Malinen advised that, in his discussions with the <br />HRA and observations of first-ring suburb challenges to-date, <br />there were demographic trends that needed to be addressed, as <br />well as taking advantage of some opportunities that may arise <br />to address those needs in maintaining affordable and available <br />housing stock by having adequate tools available at the HRA's <br />disposal to meet those needs proactively and as indicated by <br />their desire to implement strategic planning. <br />Further discussion included available resources to provide sta- <br />bility; potential programs to provide educational materials to <br />residents; density bonuses; support for multi-family unit main- <br />tenance; context of multi-family housing in specific neighbor- <br />hoods and needed maintenance to avoid devaluing the sur- <br />rounding neighborhood; and safety considerations. <br />Mayor Klausing spoke in agreement and support of the HRA <br />goals as set forth; however opined that there was a disconnect <br />in how to achieve them and a specific program and/or dollar <br />amount. Mayor Klausing further opined that it would seem <br />more applicable to design a specific program and seek funding <br />accordingly. <br />