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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 12271979 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII 106011 Box: 36 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1979 Document: PL MINUTES 12271979 r CITY OF ST. ANTHONY A Public Hearing Regarding the Amendment of Projects and Activities Funded for Year VI for CDBG Funds December 27 , 1979 • The meeting was called to order at 7 : 37 p.m. by Brad Bjorklund, Chairman Pro Tem of the City Planning Commission. Members of the Planning Commission present: Bjorklund, Sopcinski, and Bowerman. Also present: Ron Berg, Administrative Assistant; and Mark Elmberg, Hennepin County Office of Planning and Development. The public hearing was opened at 7 :38 p.m. Mr. Berg stated that the requirement of publication of a legal and non-legal notice had been accomplished. Also, notices of the meeting had been posted at various points throughout the City. Mr. Berg went on to state that the purpose of the meeting was to determine what housing assistance and community development needs of the City are and then to target the Year VI grant amount of $45,000 for these needs. There being no members of the public present, the representatives of the public body began discussions for the purpose of recommending to the City Council allocation of the funds. Mr. Elmberg outlined briefly some of the program outlines established by H.U.D. In this matter he emphasized that the primary goal for communities is to use these funds for housing needs of low to moderate income indivi- duals. Mr. Berg suggested several projects for the members ' consideration. The suggestions and their probable viability were : Senior Center Project - a fundable project Park Improvement and Development - stricter HUD regulations all but eliminate these types of projects Multi-Housing Rehabilitation - a fundable project Removal of Barriers for the Handicapped - funds can no longer be used for removal of barriers in public buildings and HUD regulations make this project less viable Commercial Rehabilitation - not fundable. In response to a question of the possibility of funding a study of a commercial area which would include a possible low to mid-density multiple dwelling, Mr. Elmberg replied that monies for planning studies have been severely curtailed to the point of virtually non-fundable. To this end, however, he noted that the county is currently following a study by the federal government which would initiate the "312 Program" , a program which would provide commu- nities with monies for the rehabilitation of downtown ML -2- areas. In this context, St. Anthony might qualify. Civic Beautification - especially diseased tree removal; severely restrictive to the point of being non-fundable Administration - fully fundable. The City had in the past estimated and earmarked ten percent of the funds for administration and in this case would be $4 ,500. • Energy Studies - a chance of funding if for private individuals, but severely restrictive Bike Paths - no longer fundable Fire and Life Safety Compliance in the Community Center - only those areas used primarily by low to moderate income people which, in the case of St. Anthony, would probably be those areas used by the senior citizens. Mr. Elmberg also noted that funds could be made available for rent assistance at the mobile home park in the way of subsidizing pad rental in much the same manner as assistance to apartment dwellers under the Section 8 program. Mr. Berg noted, however, that Metro H.R.A. is currently studying a similar program and it might be wise to wait and see how- that program develops so as to possibly make use of those funds. Following this discussion it was agreed that due to H.U.D. restrictions and the emphasis for the monies to be spent on low to moderate income housing, the alternatives are, realistically, monies for the senior housing project, rehabilitation of existing residential housing, and rehabilitation of multi-family dwellings. It was the consensus of the members that because of allocated but unspent monies from pre- vious years, no more should be earmarked for multiple dwellings at this time. - It was the opinion of the members that there is a need in St. Anthony for residential rehabilitation. It was noted the City has been participating in ther:"JFA rehabilitation program for several years with little response. It was acknowledged, however, that the income limit in this case is $5, 000. Under the provisions of CDBG program, the income limits could be as high as $16 ,100 . The members will also recommend the program be targeted primarily to senior citizens. Mr. Elmberg also noted that the average cost of residential rehabili- tation last year in Hennepin County was $4 ,500. Mr. Elmberg stated that for single family rehabilitation projects, the County will handle nearly all of the administrative tasks, including publicity for which the County has separate funds available for use. The primary duty for local staff is referral. Consideration was also given to allocating some monies for the senior housing project. The members agreed this should be done, but that it should not be earmarked for the majority of the funds because: the project would not exclusively benefit St. Anthony residents; the project has not been finalized at this time; the allocations can • readily be adjusted if the circumstances justify doing so. The members agreed that ten percent of the funds should be allocated for administration. -3- After a brief discussion, motion by Mr. Bjorklund and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to recommend to the Council that the funds be targeted as follows: a) sixty percent ($27,000) for a residential family rehabilitation program -- and that the average rehabilitation expendi- ture should not exceed $4,500, which would provide rehabilitation • for six structures -- that the emphasis be placed on the rehabilita- tion of residences owned by senior citizens -- and that the adjusted income level be initially set at $7,500 , which level could be adjusted upwards depending on the response; b) thirty percent ($13 ,500) be targeted for the proposed senior housing project for whatever purpose it is deemed appropriate and necessary; and c) ten percent ($4 ,500) be targeted for local administration costs. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Bjorklund stated he will present the recommendation to the Council at their January 8 meeting and Mr. Elmberg stated he will attend the meeting to answer any questions the Council may have regarding the program. Motion by Mr. Bjorklund and seconded by Mr. Sopcinski to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The public hearing was closed at 9 : 10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ron Berg, Administrative Assistant ROB:pjr •