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. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES _2_ February 11, 2004 POLICY AGENDA: Consideration of contract with Housing Resource Center (HRC Administrator Worthington said that in late 2003, Mayor Gehrz, Council member Lamb, Deb Jones, Planning/Zoning/Code Enforcement Coordinator, and she visited the Housing Resource Center in Shoreview at their North Metro location. The HRC provides services to Arden Hills, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Roseville, Shoreview, Columbia Heights, St. Anthony Village, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale and Minneapolis through contract. HRC's mission is to provide free housing services to all residents in their contract cities. They provide the following services: • Information on home maintenance, safety, and improvement financing. • MHFA Fix-up Fund Loan Program dollars • Various home improvement and home purchase program funds • Free construction consultations, including information on construction, building codes and permits • Assistance in reviewing contractor bids, proposals and estimates • • Construction assistance during construction • Site visits with homeowners regarding home improvements • First time Homebuyer classes • Rental information • Mortgage foreclosure prevention programs • Energy assistance programs The contract also includes services to specific income groups, and age groups, including: • Senior Housing Regeneration Program • The Rehab Incentive Program Falcon Heights can become a contract city of the HRC for an annual fee of $5,000. With the City's small staff, and the City's commitment to high service at a reasonable cost, the HRC contract will be beneficial for residents, and assist staff in providing a broader range of services. Mayor Gehrz, for the benefit of the viewing audience, explained that the Council has discussed the Housing Resource Center and its programs in a number of workshop sessions. Council member Lamb said that he is very impressed with the Housing Resource Center, but has three questions: Is the $5,000 pro-rated? Are we going to develop a highly professional • publicity campaign? Tracking? There needs to be some sort of tracking mechanism to track how many people utilize the Housing Resource Center. It would be nice to get a monthly report.