2011-02-15_packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

HRA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Page 7 Member Lee concurred with Member Elkin’s comments on the need for affordable workforce housing in Roseville, opining that the majority of people working in Roseville, particularly in retail venues, could not afford to live in Roseville. Chair Maschka concurred, noting that one of their concerns if they lived in Roseville, the difficulty in getting to and from Rosedale, since that was a major destination for many of those retail employees, due to the number of walkways that didn’t currently connect. Mr. Trudgeon noted the good connectivity of Siena Green to Snelling Avenue and adjacent bus stops, with proposed improvements in the spring of 2011 along Snelling Avenue. However, he recognized the lack of sidewalks, pathways and/or connections to the west. Ms. Kelsey noted the difficulty along Snelling Avenue for pedestrian access, maneuverability and safety. Member Pust noted that, while not a housing issue, transit was an issue for the HRA to look at further as housing was driven by transit issues; and opined that there didn’t appear to be any serious work being done on that overall issue, but that the HRA could proactively pursue transit issues with housing interests in mind. Member Pust expressed further interest in HRA follow-up on problem housing, with periodic review with the City’s Police Department on those problem buildings to ensure the housing for the City’s most vulnerable residents is safe and healthy. Member Pust suggested the HRA review City Code related to the number of people per square feet or number of bedrooms, given the cultural overlay of the City’s diverse population and whether those cultural issues needed to be taken into consideration, while continuing to discourage homes and apartments being utilized as college dormitories. Chair Maschka opined that only way to accomplish that legally was to pursue licensing and inspections. Member Majerus noted the need to more definitively address criteria for HIA’s at the HRA Chair Maschka concurred with Member Majerus, noting the need to address the ideas and concerns previously identified by Member Pust; and the need to identify other funding mechanisms and options. Member Elkins concurred, and suggested staff research of other communities using more HIA’s and how they financed them. Ms. Kelsey noted that the City of Coon Rapids had a number of HIA’s that were financed through available HRA funding resources, including bonding. Ms. Kelsey advised that, in retrospect with a number of property owners at Westwood Village II prepaying their assessments and significantly reducing the needed bonding required, the City’s first and only HIA effort to-date, the City’s Finance Director Chris Miller would have utilized other City resources or reserves already in place to avoid bonding. Ms. Kelsey suggested that the Work Plan include exploring other revenue opportunities available to the HRA. Chair Maschka noted the HRA’s bonding authority; however, recognized the need to have critical mass in funding major, rather than smaller, projects to maximize economies of scale and provide a more favorable return. Member Masche expressed support in working with common-interest communities, opining that LJA was symptomatic of other aging complexes in the community, whether through lack of effective or proactive management or due to other issues, and that the HRA needed to address how to maintain and enhance property values in preparation of when the housing market turns around. As an example, Member Maschke opined that LJA having to close off