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HRA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Page 5 Ms. Kelsey advised that each of the categories would not have a separate award, but would be based on an overall scoring of those categories used for a project; and would be based on review by 2-3 professionals in the field for scoring those items submitted; and suggested that the HRA run a pilot program, with future changes as indicated. Foreclosure Report Executive Director Trudgeon provided an updated map listing Ramsey County Sheriff’s Sale Foreclosure Information specific to Roseville, qualifying the information as not being all-inclusive as it didn’t include short sales and those teetering on foreclosure. Mr. Trudgeon noted that in 2008, there were 58 foreclosures, with 59 in 2009 to-date; and while recognizing that this was still too many foreclosures, he noted that it was more favorable than peer communities (i.e., Shoreview and White Bear Lake as examples). Mr. Trudgeon reviewed the various ways staff monitored foreclosed properties, by neighborhood drive-bys; working with banks on code enforcement issues on those properties; ensuring that vacant homes are secure; and working with utility companies to monitor utility shutoffs to avoid damage to those vacant homes. Mr. Trudgeon noted that staff also reviewed areas that showed evidence of foreclosure clusters to determine cause and effect; and noted multiple foreclosures in the James Addition, an area of the City representing older homes. Mr. Trudgeon noted that some of the foreclosed homes appeared to be occupied, some with people moving in, and several appearing vacant; without knowing individual circumstances. Mr. Trudgeon advised that these areas would be closely monitored by staff, as these types of situations may indicate property maintenance issues; owner-occupied homes moving to rentals; and ensuring that they didn’t turn into bigger problems. Mr. Trudgeon advised that the City had few tools with which to address foreclosures at this time. Ms. Kelsey noted that prior to the housing market going into the recession, the James neighborhood represented basically the only affordable single-family housing neighborhood in Roseville. Ms. Kelsey advised that the HRA website listed available resources for property owners faced with foreclosure, in addition to providing agencies that could assist in the quarterly newsletter and other resources available in the community, with direct links from the HRA website to those agencies. Ms. Kelsey further noted that, when a property changed hands in the community, staff did a marketing program, providing information about loan programs to reinvest in the property, city codes, and property upkeep information. Staff further noted that due to the age of the population, many single-family homes in Roseville were paid for, and with those property owners living on a fixed income, they remained in their homes based on their affordability, which created a lack of affordable housing to turn over since the current property owners were debt free and didn’t want to make a move at this time. Staff also noted that this created some deferred maintenance issues due to elderly people unable to do the work and preferring the City to abate it. Mr. Trudgeon provided an example of a recent abatement process where this was the case, and the City ultimately paying for the dumpster which would later be assessed to the tax rolls, and the City Attorney volunteering with friends to provide the labor to perform the work. Member Quam noted that this could lead to deferred maintenance issues in the future; and questioned if the City had ever participated in the “Women Build” program where affordable homes were rehabilitated for new families.