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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, September 22, 2008 <br />Page 13 <br />cial assistance for the entire Westwood community; however, opined that the As- <br />sociation couldn't afford to "do nothing;" and while there may be several who had <br />to move if they couldn't afford the payments, without attempting to sound harsh, <br />in selling their asset, it provided them more recourse than renters. Ms. Shea again <br />opined that the Association could not afford to not do something. <br />Councilmember Willmus sought current assessment values of the average units. <br />Mr. Miller responded that, in 2006, the typical unit value was $205,000. <br />Councilmember Willmus advised that he was struggling with the term, interest <br />and balancing the numbers. <br />Councilmember Pust noted that she had originally been the one expressing the <br />most concern with this concept; and that she was hearing some of her concerns <br />when the City Council was first approached by Westwood Village. Councilmem- <br />ber Pust noted that the City, through the HRA, had numerous programs for single- <br />family residential properties. Councilmember Pust opined that the City needed to <br />look at their housing stock, and invest in multi-family housing stock, to provide <br />for quality multi-family housing. <br />Councilmember Pust noted the State statute caps for this program and timing for <br />HIA's that would address any floodgate problems with multiple requests; and <br />opined that through this tool and by investing in the City's housing stock, it was a <br />win-win for the City in maintaining good housing, and not having multi-family <br />units further deteriorate, creating more problems similar to the current foreclosure <br />crisis for single-family homes. Councilmember Pust noted the complexities of the <br />HIA; however, opined that just because the City hadn't done it before, didn't' <br />mean that it shouldn't. Councilmember Pust opined that the City Council needed <br />to trust the Westwood community that had diligently worked through this; and <br />asked that those on the losing side of the Westwood majority vote, would consider <br />their risks if they didn't work together as a community (i.e., contractor honoring <br />his bids; costs of rebidding the project; additional deterioration of existing siding) <br />and asked that under that analysis they act now rather than risking starting over in <br />another economic time. Councilmember Pust opined that this was the time to act <br />on this. <br />Councilmember Roe sought clarification from Mr. Miller or City Attorney <br />Squires on State Statute provisions for linking assessments and paying off bonds, <br />similar to pay-as-you-go stipulations based on income received versus bond pay- <br />ments. Councilmember Roe sought further information from staff regarding <br />staff s rationale for not recommending a reduced administrative fee as requested <br />by the Association. <br />