05/31/05 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #1: "HRA 101" Panel Discussion lbllowing guests were present for a discussion with the HRA regarding the HRA's scope, powers, limits and authority: Mark Nagel - Normandale Community College business professor and MN Consulting, lbrmer City Manager for the City of Anoka, consultant hired by Ramey to assist in lbrming the ItRA. Mary lppcl - attorney with the City's bond counsel, Briggs and Morgan. Mcrrywayne Elvig - member of the Anoka HRA. Mi'. Nagel distributed a draft mission statement and goals for the City of Ramsey HRA. He explained thc goals listed are put together from different HRA's he is familiar with. He reviewed the suggested goals and steps to goal implementation. Ms;. lppcl presented an overview of laws associated with the HRA. She reviewed the following ihrec types of projects, which statute grants the HRA the ability to undertake: housing projects, i~ousing development projects, and redevelopment projects. She advised the powers under the i IRA law are very broad with respect to these types of projects, and the ability to carry out the pro. ject usually comes down to how the HRA is funded. There is an ability to levy a small tax ~mnually, which is outside the levy limits. This is a small dollar amount, but it can be used as seed money. She advised the City Council has the ability to make contributions to the HRA. !iRA l!xecutive Director Frolik advised the City could have concurrent local and County HRA levies. Mayor Gamec asked if HRA funds would be available for a situation such as houses that need to i0c removed lbra road to go through. M,;. Ippcl replied the City Council and the HRA bolh have condemnation powers. It would need to bo addressed who the better entity is to undertake a specific project. If the goal is public infrastructure, as opposed to housing redevelopment, it might be better for the Council to undertake those condemnation powers. If the goal is tied to housing needs in the neighborhood it would be a power of the HRA. C. ouncihncmber Cook noted if a road being brought into a neighborhood were to change the character of the neighborhood from low to medium density, the City Council and HRA may both be inw)lved in thc project. City Administrator Norman explained when some of the neighborhoods in the City were developed ira the 1970's, ghost platting was done to allow for sewer and water in the future. The houses were built on one side of the lot in anticipation of sewer and water, which did not come into thc area. It is now too difficult to build new houses next to these older homes. He inquired il' thrill in these areas would be an HRA project. Ms. Ippcl responded in the affirmative and explained the project would be related to housing. She advised thc City Council could contribute funds to the HRA on an annual basis, project by project, or ira both manners. Housing & Redevelopment Authority / May 31, 2005 Page 2 of 3