2007-08-21_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion: Member Elkins moved, seconded by Member Masche, to approve a resolution requesting the maximum HRA levy for 2008 for an estimated amount of $605,220.00. Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 – Jackson Millasovich Abstain: 1 - Pust Motion carried. b.Approve funding to correct code violation issue. Ms. Bennett summarized the first item for consideration noting that it is a request by code enforcement staff for funding to purchase supplies for a volunteer work crew to repair a dilapidated shed on the property of an elderly and infirm resident. The supply purchase would not exceed $100. Abatement in this situation would likely take more time and cost considerably more than the current funding request of $100. Ms. Bennett also noted that the second item for consideration concerned allowing a transfer of funds for future code violations up to $500 per case at the written request of Permits Coordinator Don Munson with administrative approval of the HRA Chair. Ms. Bennett noted that the HRA has set aside funds in its budget (in the amount of $100,000) for such purposes. Member Pust wondered if the HRA should have a broader discussion with the City Council about making funds available in these types of situations. Permits Coordinator Don Munson indicated willingness on the part of code enforcement staff to bring these requests directly to the HRA as they occur infrequently (one or two cases a year, in his estimation). Member Pust suggested the HRA create a set of criteria from which to evaluate code violations so that staff could proceed with these cases without having to bring each individual request to the board. Member Millasovich agreed with Member Pust and suggested that the board have the criteria discussion at this meeting. Member Millasovich suggested criteria based on age, for example. Member Maschka offered financial capacity and disability as additional possible criteria. Ms Bennett suggested that the board also consider requiring funds to be used only for short-term improvement of a home, such as correcting minor code violations, as funding for long-term improvement is currently available to lower income residents through various existing deferred loan programs. Member Millasovich wondered if the board should include higher income residents to capture working families experiencing hardship. Member Masche proposed criterion that recipients of this funding must demonstrate cooperation with code enforcement staff to correct the code violations on their property. Member Pust wondered whether administrative approval by the HRA Chair is necessary for these situations. Chair Majerus opined that he would prefer some communication from code enforcement staff when funding is used. Member Pust advanced her opinion that regular quarterly reports to the board from code enforcement staff detailing any such expenditure would be adequate. Mr. Munson indicated that a discussion with the Community Development Department Director would also precede the use of funding in each case. Ms. Bennett indicated that the funding for these situations would come from money set aside for the Ownership Rehab Program in the 2007 HRA budget. Member Pust wondered if a limitation on the value of the improvement should be included in the criteria discussion so that these funds could not be used for major home improvements such as reroofing. Ms. Bennett clarified that there would be a maximum expenditure of $500 per incident. Member Masche inquired if the funding would address code violations that are more nuisance than structural in nature. Mr. Munson indicated that the most common code violation that he would consider for such funding is the existence of junk and debris on a property which many elderly property owners lack the resources to correct. He also noted that each case would be