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<br />1. Regular Meeting Minutes dated February 12,2008 <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Olson, Commissioners Look, Elvig, Dehen, Jeffrey, <br />and Strommen. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Gamec. <br /> <br />HRA BUSINESS <br /> <br />Case #1: <br /> <br />Habitat Partnership for Northwest Anoka County <br /> <br />HRA Executive Director Sylvia Frolik introduced Karl Britalden from the Twin Cities Habitat <br />for Humanity. <br /> <br />Mr. Britalden gave a brief overview of the operating principles of Habitat for Humanity and the <br />criteria used in selecting families. He showed a picture of the 8-plex in Ramsey and noted that <br />the last unit will be sold next week. He stated that there are plans for two more buildings of this <br />same style to be built immediately north of this building. He stated that they received a call from <br />St. Francis who had seen what was done and told Habitat for Humanity that they wanted to copy <br />what was done in Ramsey. He stated that through the creation of the Habitat Partnership of <br />NW Anoka County (HP AC) there has been a tremendous response from local churches, <br />businesses and civic groups in volunteering time for these projects. He stated that along with the <br />volunteer hours, HPAC is trying to raise $42,000 and is requesting $6,000 from the City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Dehen stated that he is not in favor of giving money to the organization and <br />doesn't see this as any more worthy than churches who recruit individuals to go on mission trips <br />to other countries. He stated that he went on a trip in February to Mexico to help build homes <br />and he needed to either payout of his own pocket or raise the funds. He stated that he doesn't <br />think it is a City function to pick specific charities to support, especially when the people <br />benefiting are not Ramsey residents. <br /> <br />Commissioner Look stated that there is $385,000 in the BRA account, but noted that he thought <br />the County had asked for some of this money. <br /> <br />HRA Executive Director Frolik stated that the County money is in a separate fund held by the <br />County, so this $6,000 would not come from that account. <br /> <br />Commissioner Dehen if anyone in the community wants to go on a mission trip somewhere, if <br />the City is in a position to give money. He stated that the difference to him was unclear. <br /> <br />Chairperson Olson stated that the BRA money is for spending inside Ramsey, not somewhere <br />else. <br /> <br />Commissioner Strommen stated that one difference she sees if that the City has goals in our <br />housing plan for affordable housing and this is one way the City can meet that goal. She stated <br />that she feels for $6,000 the City gets a good "bang for its buck". <br /> <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority I May 13, 2008 <br />Page 2 of6 <br />