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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />FEBRUARY 8, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />5 <br />The Community Development Director replied that would be an annual allocation. She noted <br />that funds will be able to be carried over but must be used within a set number of years. <br /> <br />Commissioner Carlson-Clark referenced the proposed home rehabilitation use through the use of <br />low interest loans, noting that would help to improve and update the existing housing stock. He <br />also supported the homeless/transient proposed use. <br /> <br />Commissioner Boe-Schmidtz commented that down payment assistance for first time <br />homebuyers is also a great opportunity for residents. She asked how the programs would be <br />managed. <br /> <br />The Community Development Director explained that the City would contract through an <br />existing organization, or the County, for some of the programs. She stated that City staff may be <br />able to run the rental assistance program. <br /> <br />Commissioner Boe-Schmidtz commented that there are some existing programs through the <br />County, or other entities, and therefore she would not want to have duplicative programs as <br />someone would often not be able to qualify for both. <br /> <br />Commissioner Carlson-Clark stated that perhaps utility assistance would be a good idea as well. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson commented that Ramsey County does have existing programs for emergency <br />situations such as rental assistance and others. <br /> <br />Commissioner Masrud agreed that the rental assistance would be a valuable element as well. He <br />also acknowledged that $100,000 is not a large sum of money for this type of issue and perhaps <br />more value would be gained through pooling with others, such as Ramsey County. <br /> <br />Commissioner Carlson-Clark stated that perhaps this is then reviewed annually to determine if <br />the partnership is valuable and whether it should continue. <br /> <br />Commissioner Kulousek stated that perhaps there could be a position on City staff that could <br />assist a resident with finding the programs that are already available through other entities, <br />linking to those services. <br /> <br />Commissioner Boe-Schmidtz commented that would perhaps be duplicative to services that are <br />available through Ramsey County through a social worker. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson commented that in a quick look at the Ramsey County website it does appear they <br />are overburdened with requests and perhaps that would suggest that pooling funds with the <br />County could provide assistance in the County being able to respond to requests more quickly. <br />She stated that perhaps the funds could be pooled with the County but earmarked specifically for <br />residents of Little Canada.