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4. What steps should an association take to be considered for Housing Improvement Area <br />designation? <br />a. The first step is for the association membership to meet and determine to the extent <br />reasonably possible, the needed improvements to the common elements. <br />b. The next step is to obtain a reasonable estimate or estimates of the total costs of those <br />improvements. <br />— c. Once the costs have been estimated, the association should investigate all reasonable <br />— means of financing the improvements including any balance in the association <br />— treasury, additional fees imposed on the unit owners, private financing by the <br />association and/or the individual owners, and any other possible housing <br />improvement assistance. <br />d. If all other means of financing the improvements are unsuccessful or provide an <br />undue hardship on the owners, a petition signed by the owners of at least 25% of the <br />housing units to be included in the proposed area may be filed with the City <br />requesting that a Housing Improvement Area be designated. The petition should also <br />request a public hearing on the imposition of a fee to pay for those improvements. A <br />suggested petition form is enclosed. <br />5. What happens after an adequate petition is filed? <br />a. The petition is presented to the City Council who determines whether it contains all <br />the required elements under the law and whether it contains at least the minimum <br />number of required signatures. If the petition is found to be adequate and is accepted <br />by the City Council a date for a public hearing is set. <br />b. Prior to the public hearing, the City staff prepares a preliminary listing of the <br />improvements proposed to be made. This list will require City employees to view and <br />inspect the property and discuss the problems with owners aizdlnr members of the <br />association. <br />c. At the hearing staff will present its findings and owners will have an opportunity to <br />present relevant testimony and issues related to the proposed area. The hearing is <br />intended to assist the City Council in determining the proper boundaries of the area, <br />the extent of the necessary improvements, and that there are no other available <br />financing methods. <br />d. If the City Council makes the required findings of need, it will adopt an ordinance <br />establishing a Housing Improvement Area and will designate the Housing & <br />Redevelopment Authority ("HRA") as the implementing entity. The ordinance will, <br />among other things, designate the area, establish the improvements to be made, and <br />determine the basis for the imposition of the fees. Fees may be based on the tax <br />