10/21/08 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. V oting Yes: Chairperson Olson, Commissioners Gamec, Elvig, Dehen, and Strommen. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners Jeffrey and Look. HRA BUSINESS Case #1: Adopt Resolution Api>roving Proposed 2009 HRA Levy HRA Executive Director Sylvia Frolik stated it is the time of year where the City needs to adopt the 2009 HRA levy. She stated that staffis recommending that the levy be kept the same as last year in the amount of $312,443 which for a home valued at $200,000 translates to about $26/year. She noted that the proposed 2009 budget is attached for the Commission to review. Commissioner Elvig asked what the fund balance is currently for the HRA. HRA Executive Director Sylvia Frolik stated that atthe end of2008 it will be around $389,127. CommissioIl;er Elvig stated that he would like to get a handle on how this fund balance is being spent. Executive Director Frolik stated that the detailed breakdown was listed on page 13 of the attached budget. She stated that about $90,000 of the fund is used to pay half the salary for the Executive Director and half the salary for a planner. Commissioner Elvig asked if there were any big projects coming up that the remainder of the funds maybe used for. Executive Director Frolik stated that there was been discussion about a possible home buyer assistance or rehabilitation program. She stated that in looking ahead, the City wants to be ready for 2010. . Commissioner Gamec stated that many communities are looking at blighted areas being created in the years 2010 and 2011 because of the foreclosure issues. Commissioner Look arrived at the meeting. Commissioner Gamec stated that the City has tried to clean up certain areas of the City with the abatement process, but he thinks the areas that are hit by foreclosures won't be taken care of. He stated that he foresees quite a burden on the City in the coming years, especially in single family homes. He stated that he doesn't see this as such a big problem with townhomes because they have maintenance fees that keep the grounds taken care of. He stated that he sees the HRA funds being used to help tak,e care of some of these blighted areas in the City. Commissioner Dehen stated that townhomes pay monthly association dues, so if one of the units is vacant, there are provisions that a lien is put on the property and the bank would ultimately be responsible for those fees once the property is sold. He asked if the City used those funds to take care of some problems, whether the City would eventually get that money back. Housing and Redevelopment Authorityl August 26, 2008 Page 2 of 10 2