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