2007-10-16_Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Member Kelsey inquired about private financing availa ble to Westwood Village I. Ms. Bennett indicated that private financing is available; however the relativ ely short term of the loan and collateral issues make it difficult for Westwood Village I to exercise that option. Ms. Bennett noted that the HRA should examine an analysis of all of the financial opti ons available to Westwood Village I before making a recommendation to the City Council. c. Update on HRA Staffing Chair Majerus asked City Manager Bill Malinen to provi de an update on the status of HRA staffing. Mr. Malinen explained that the HRA had expressed interest in having the Community Development Director serve as HRA Executive Director. The HRA also approved the hiring of a part-time Housing Coordinator position to support the Executive Director. Mr. Malinen noted that the hiring of a Housing Coordinator has been delayed due to the resignation of former Community Development Director John Stark. Mr. Malinen indicated that the selection process for a new Community Development Director was underway and he recommended waiting until that position is filled before hiring a Housing Coordinator. Mr. Malinen noted that Interim Community Developm ent Director Mike Darrow, a consultant for the consulting firm Short, Elliot, Hendrickson (SEH), will assume the role as HRA Executive Director. Mr. Malinen suggested utilizing SEH as a resource until the permanent staffing positions have been filled. Member Pust inquired about the financial implications involved in using the consulting firm for HRA matters. Mr. Malinen explained that Mr. Darrow was contracted for a set number of hours each week; the HRA would incur a cost in the event that his HRA du ties cause him to exceed those hours. Mr. Malinen also advanced the possibility of Mr. Darrow ad justing the time devoted to various Community Development and HRA duties as needed (so as to not exceed his weekly contract hours). Member Kelsey expressed a concern that the HRA have consistency in going through the strategic planning process. Member Masche agreed. The board discussed starting the strategic planning process as soon as possible and the possibility of utilizing Mr. Darro w and SEH to facilitate that process. The board directed Chair Majerus and Mr. Malinen to obtain a proposal from SEH outlining the timeline and costs the HRA would incur if they sought the firm’s assistance in the strategic planning process. d. Discussion on HRA Involvement in Code Enforcement Chair Majerus explained that this is a follow-up discussi on to explore the need for the HRA to take a role in code the enforcement process. Member Maschka as ked Member Pust for an update of the City Council involvement in this matter. Member Pust indicated that the Council has expressed interest in having an in-depth discussion with the City’s code enforcement staff to evaluate the effectiveness of the current process and determine if there is a need for change in the current procedure, ordinance or resources associated with code enforcement. Member Kelsey wondered if the code enforcement process is complaint-driven. Chair Majerus invited Permits Coordinator Don Munson to pr ovide a brief review of current c ode enforcement procedures. Mr. Munson explained that the code-enforcement process is largely complaint-driven; however, staff will address issues that are discovered during the course of performing their duties out in the community. Mr. Munson noted that there are typically 300-500 propert ies (residential and commercial) that generate complaints each year. Mr. Munson indicated that there have been approximately 350 complaint cases opened in 2007. Mr. Munson explained that there is one land use inspector to respond to complaints in the city and a backlog of complaint cases occurs dur ing the busy summer months. Mr. Munson noted that Land Use Inspector Rick Talbot is able to work through that backlog during the winter months.