2010-01-19_ HRA_packet_LDC_packet

Home

HRA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Page 2 a.2009 Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) Final Report Executive Director Patrick Trudgeon corrected the staff report typographical error in listing the request for an additional four (4) weeks for the program, noting that was a carryover from a previous report and not applicable. Mr. Trudgeon briefly summarized the NEP program, noting the detailed staff report prepared by Code Officer Don Munson that had been included in the packet. Mr. Trudgeon noted that as the program was anticipated by citizens, staff found fewer violations, and better property maintenance, with common violations being property maintenance, on-site storage, and inoperable vehicles. Mr. Trudgeon noted that closure rated were good, with 86% of the cases closed within thirty (30) days; and thanked the HRA and the community for their support. Mr. Trudgeon advised that often violations were clustered within neighborhoods, but when one property was improved, others followed suit; and indicated that this reinforces the need for active enforcement. Mr. Trudgeon reviewed those situations when residents had a lack of resources to bring their property into compliance, with staff connecting them to agencies for assistance, or going to abatement if necessary. Mr. Trudgeon noted the success of the abatement program based on City Council support, with properties often cleaned up before the City had to do the actual abatement when realizing that the City was serious. Mr. Trudgeon thanked the HRA for their support of City staff with the NEP. Discussion included recognizing staff for their positive representation of the City to its residents and serving as ambassadors for the City; excitement in the program being initiated and being successful in improving the community; and what was learned from its inception to now. Mr. Trudgeon advised that the program was primarily one of educating people on City Code and expectations of the community; the value of neighborhood sustainability and vitality; including code enforcement information in Welcome Packets; ongoing communication by staff with neighborhoods in getting the word out; and streamlining the process internally to provide more efficiencies in the record keeping by office staff to allow the inspectors to be in the field and working with homeowners, with the program improved in the second year based on that learning curve in the first year of the program. Further discussion included intent to continue the program in 2010 with funding allotted in the 2010 HRA Preliminary Levy and Budget to ensure that the entire City was covered every 3-4 years; continuing to work in reviving neighborhoods; and community support for continuing the program with tangible results for neighbors and building pride of ownership in those neighborhoods while preserving and enhancing property values. b.Multi-Family Loan Program Discussion Housing Coordinator Jeanne Kelsey had provided an additional e-mail, in addition to a bench attached hereto and made a part thereof handout at tonight’s meeting, , related to this item. Mr. Kelsey noted the importance of this program based on findings of the recent Multi-Family Housing Study by Maxfield; and whether current criteria of the program guidelines was preventing those multi-family property owners from seeking assistance from this program, based on income eligibility language. Ms. Kelsey noted that this program had been initiated in early spring of 2009 for the specific purpose of providing assistance to these types of properties, as the affordable rental housing option in the community, and based on the age of the properties and their need for rehabilitation. Ms. Kelsey noted that the only participation to- date was that of the Har Mar Apartment Complex; and noted that, while property owners may express initial interest, inquiries had been minimal and others hadn’t followed through after their initial call to staff. Ms. Kelsey suggested that some of the guidelines and reporting requirements related to income eligible tenant certifications may be too overwhelming for