2004-09-21_Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.Public Hearing: a. Public Hearing to consider 2005 HRA Budget and Levy Request Chair Majerus opened the public hearing and requested that Executive Director Cathy Bennett present a summary of the 2005 HRA budget, programs and recommended levy. Cathy Bennett reviewed the various programs supported by the HRA and the proposed funding required to support each program and advised that the primary sources to fund HRA specific non- income restricted programs and administrative costs are the cash balance, levy funds, home and garden fees and interest. She advised the levy would provide the necessary funds to continue to provide housing services such as the Housing Resource Center, housing loans, cleaning up distressed properties, studying demographic trends, developing first time buyer options and building a fund to tackle the most severe multi-family issues. In addition, Bennett mentioned that the City has discussed the possibility of implementing a more proactive housing maintenance program with a more thorough housing maintenance code and a rental licensing program. These new initiatives would require additional staff to implement and the HRA should consider using the full levy amount to fund such as program if the City Council is supportive of its implementation beginning in 2005. A full levy budget option and half levy budget option was presented for consideration along with the impacts to various levels of property owners. Chair Majerus asked if there were any questions regarding the information presented. Seeing none, Chair Majerus closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Motion: Member Scheunemann moved, seconded by Member Hermes, to adopt by Resolution, a Housing and Redevelopment Authority Tax Levy for 2005 at the maximum amount permissible to be forwarded to the City Council as part of the budget and truth in taxation hearings. Member Kelsey asked if the HRA did not support a full levy could the Council increase it. (yes) Member Hermes noted that a full levy should be supported for multifamily renovation regardless of a rental license program implementation. Marks noted that supporting the full levy shows support for the Council and if the Council is not ready to implement such a program the HRA could achieve their goals with a half levy amount. Millasovich mentioned that it is difficult to support the full levy for a program that the HRA has not had a chance to understand and review. Ayes: 4 Nays: 2 Motion carried. 8.Action Items: a. Selection of new HRA Logo Cathy Bennett mentioned that the action on the HRA logo had been tabled in July with the request for modified logo ideas. Bennett presented the revised logo options for review. Hermes noted that the Equal Opportunity Housing words need to be a bit clearer. 2