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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 09/01/2009 - HRA APPROVED MINUTES HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEMBERS: Chair Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Ron Case, Jon Duckstad and Kathy Nelson CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, City Attorney Ric Rosow, Finance Director Sue Kotchevar and Recorder Jan Curielli I. ROLL CALL/CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Chair Young called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in shared session with the Council meeting. All members were present. II. COLOR GUARD/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. OPEN PODIUM INVITATION IV. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE HRA MEETING HELD JANUARY 20, 2009 MOTION: Duckstad moved, seconded by Case, to approve the minutes of the HRA meeting held on January 20, 2009 as published. Motion carried 5-0. V. ADOPT RESOLUTION HRA NO. 2009-02 TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 2010 HRA PROPERTY TAX LEVY TO BE $200,000 AND ACCEPT THE PROPOSED 2010 HRA BUDGET OF $200,000 Neal said in Eden Prairie the City Council serves as the HRA. Minnesota law authorizes the HRA to levy a tax with the consent of the City Council. Per Minnesota statute,housing and redevelopment authorities can levy a tax of up to .0185 percent of taxable market value. The proceeds may be spent on planning and implementation of redevelopment and/or low-rent housing assistance programs with the City. The limit for the City of Eden Prairie is approximately $1.8 million. Duckstad asked what the existing balance is in this fund and whether there is a need for the $200,000 levy proposed in light of the current economy. Neal said in some cities the HRA levies a tax and generates the money which is put into a revolving fund used for redevelopment and housing-related projects, however Eden Prairie does not use it in that way. He said we began the $200,000 levy at a time when the City was up against its levy limit and needed some additional funding for housing projects and economic development plans. Essentially, Eden Prairie uses the funds to pay for the staff that provide the services, so there is no balance in the fund from year to year. HRA MINUTES September 1, 2009 Page 2 Duckstad asked if the $200,000 is sufficient and how much is in the fund today. Neal said $200,000 is sufficient because staff have not proposed an increase or a decrease in the programs. Case asked what is not getting funded that might be funded if we were to increase the amount. Neal said that is a difficult question to answer at this time because we have not considered nor proposed an increase in this area. Case asked how else this money could be used. Neal said if we were to double or triple this levy we could do other sorts of economic development, redevelopment in the Major Center Area, or low income housing programs in the City. Case asked if a loss of this funding could have a negative impact on the business community, particularly in the Major Center Area. Neal said in the sense that the money goes to support a couple of key staff people in that area it would, and not doing the levy at this level would mean a decrease in those service areas. MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Case, to adopt HRA Resolution No. 2009-02 to approve the proposed 2010 property tax levy to be $200,000 and accept the proposed 2010 budget of$200,000. Motion carried 5-0. V. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Duckstad moved, seconded by Aho, to adjourn the HRA. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Young adjourned the HRA meeting at 7:11 PM.