Laserfiche WebLink
EDC Minutes <br /> July 16,2010 <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br /> EDC meeting minutes from 2008, which was the last time the EDC discussed Mounds <br /> View's housing programs. <br /> Staff asked the EDC to discuss and provide feedback on the City Council's recent housing <br /> program discussions and requested ideas for structuring a housing program or programs <br /> that the EDC thinks would fill a need for Mounds View residents while not repeating an <br /> existing program. <br /> Commissioner Larson said that he attended the EDA's meeting this past Monday and has <br /> since driven around the City comparing the neighborhoods where the EDA had purchased <br /> homes vs. the neighborhoods where the EDA had denied Housing Replacement Program <br /> applications. He said that he noticed a big difference in the housing stock between the <br /> neighborhoods he compared,therefore does not think that the EDA should back away from <br /> acquiring blighted homes within the City. He thinks that newer or updated homes will <br /> provide much more tax base for the City. He mentioned that the EDA could provide <br /> demolition assistance to property owners that would rather sell an empty lot vs. a lot with a <br /> dilapidated home on it. <br /> Vice Chair Wagner-Harkonen agreed with Commissioner Larson's input. She said people <br /> are not building new homes right now but some people are purchasing property for <br /> investment purposes. She said neighbors would rather have an empty lot next door rather <br /> than a blighted property in the neighborhood. Chair Meehlhause agreed. Vice Chair <br /> Wagner-Harkonen added that an empty lot would be more attractive to buyers than a lot <br /> with a blighted home on it. <br /> Chair Meehlhause said that he agrees that the EDA should not drop the option of possibly <br /> purchasing blighted residential properties because the only other option of removing <br /> extremely blighted properties is eminent domain. <br /> Commissioner Entsminger agreed that the City should demolish blighted properties. She <br /> also asked that if the City were to establish a code enforcement rehabilitation loan program <br /> (like the example of the Tallahassee, FL program that was included in the EDC's packet), <br /> what type of code violations would qualify for improvement under the program. Ms. <br /> Steinmetz answered that improvements would relate to life safety issues and structural <br /> issues rather than debris cleanup. Commissioner Entsminger added that she is not in favor <br /> of a deferred loan program because a deferred loan is a grant and the taxpayers should not <br /> have to pay for other people's home improvements. <br /> Community Development Director Roberts added that the Tallahassee program is for <br /> exterior improvements that would improve the image of a neighborhood. The program is not <br /> for the rehabilitation of a kitchen or a bathroom. He said the program is just one idea of a <br /> program that Mounds View residents might need. <br /> Commissioner Entminger said that the City should get involved in issues like this, especially <br /> to correct electrical problems because those are life safety issues. <br /> Motion/Second: Commissioner Larson moved and Commissioner Entsminger seconded a <br /> recommendation that the EDA consider implementing a program like Tallahassee, Florida's <br /> Code Enforcement Rehabilitation Program. <br /> Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays <br />