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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 11-08 HRAMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION NOVEMBER 8, 1982 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing and Redevelopment Authority met in special session and was called order by Chairman Dean Nyquist at 8:55 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Dean Nyquist, Commissioners Gene Lhotka, Celia Scott, Bill Hawes, and Rich Theis. Also present were HRA Director Gerald Splinter, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund, Director of Planning & Inspection Ron Warren, City Attorney Richard Schieffer, and Administrative Assistants Brad Hoffman and Tom Bublitz. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 25, 1982 There was a motion by Commissioner Hawes and seconded by Commissioner Lhotka to approve the minutes of the October 25, 1982 Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Nyquist, Commissioners Lhotka, Hawes, and Theis. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioner Scott abstained from the vote as. she was not present at the October 25, 1982 meeting. RESOLUTION APPROVING THREE HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANTS RESOLUTION NO. 82-17 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION APPROVING THREE (3) BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANTS The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Bill Hawes, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Dean Nyquist, Gene Lhotka, Celia Scott, Rich Theis, and Bill Hawes; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. In discussion of the resolution, the City Manager pointed out that the Housing Rehabilitation Program in Brooklyn Center is now in its fourth year and that he believes the administration of the program is being handled at minimal expense. He noted that better estimates could be obtained on the grants but when the work is begun it is not known what will be uncovered in the structure as work proceeds. He added that if more information is obtained on cost estimates for the work it would cost more administratively including more staff time. With regard to qualification of individual recipients, he pointed out the Metropolitan :Council qualifies all people for the program and that the City does not audit their procedures. He stated that in his estimation it is hard to justify spending more time on the program in terms of the benefits received in pursuing a more detailed cost estimating procedure before the rehabilitation work is done. 11-8-=82 -1- Administrative Assistant Hoffman commented that currently there is no in-house expertise available to provide an adequate audit of the program. He explained that the alternative would be to retain an individual to do follow-up on the contractor's work on a per grant basis. He added that the majority of the grants, in his estimation, are good and that he does not want to put too much subjectivity into the program. He added that the City has benefited from the program in that it has improved its overall housing stock through-out the City. Councilmember Lhotka inquired what the typical number of bids would be for a project.;. Administrative Assistant Hoffman explained that the grant recipient is required to- get a minimum of two bids from any contractor of their choosing. He added that the list of contractors that have previously done satisfactory work in the program is provided to the recipient on request. Councilmember Lhotka inquired whether the City could take approximately 5% of the grants and do'a detailed audit of them. The City Manager pointed out that the federal government now audits the program. Councilmember Hawes inquired how often a person can apply for a rehabilitation grant. Administrative Assistant Hoffman explained that there is a five year period between grants unless the problem is a health safety problem. Councilmember Hawes then inquired whether the City could check each year to see if the recipients still live in the home and are eligible to continue to receive the grant. He added that this may be picked up by sending out a card each year to homeowners to ascertain whether they are still in the home and qualify. Administative Assistant Hoffman stated that this could possibly work as a check on grant recipients. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Hawes and seconded by Commissioner Theis to adjour the meeting. Voting in favor: Chairman Nyquist, Commissioners Lhotka, Scott, Hawes, and Theis. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 9:10 p.m. I- C~ Chai 11-8-82 -2-