2009-05-26G.
MOUND HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MAY 26, 2009
The Mound Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Mound,
Minnesota, met in regular session on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the council
chambers of city hall.
Members present: Chair Mark Hanus, Commissioners David Osmek, and Ray Salazar
Members absent: Commissioners Greg Skinner and Heidi Gesch
Others present: City Attorney John Dean, Executive Director Kandis Hanson, City Clerk
Bonnie Ritter, Community Development Director Sarah Smith, Finance Director
Catherine Pausche, Ken Perbix, Cheri Pugh-Sullivan, Vince Forstyk.
1. Open meeting
Chair Hanus called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
2. Approve agenda
MOTION by Osmek, seconded by Salazar to approve the agenda. All voted in favor.
Motion carried.
3. Approve minutes
MOTION by Osmek, seconded by Salazar to approve the minutes for the May 12, 2009
regular meeting. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
4. Approve claims
MOTION by Osmek, seconded by Salazar to approve claims in the amount of
$12,144.15. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
5. Review/discussion -Indian Knoll Manor public housing facility
management/oeprations
Kandis Hanson reviewed the history of the facility followed by a report by Sarah Smith
on the research completed. Staff's review raised three basic options for Indian Knoll
which are identified as: (1) Discontinue public housing ownership and sell the land to a
private party for some other use which would be subject to all required HUD regulations
and approvals; (2) Disposition of the facility to a public entity or to a private organization
to continue the public housing activity; and (3) Continue operation by Mound HRA with
or without any occupancy change.
Hanus asked what percentage of occupants are Mound residents and Pausche did not
know, but said she would found out for him. Hanus stated that his question of why the
city is running the facility rather than someone else did not get answered. He asked
what benefit it is to the city to be operating this facility. He is concerned with the
responsibility for huge costs that could come up with this aging building. He asked if the
HRA levy has ever been used to finance that facility and Pausche told him that
taxpayers won't be asked to subsidize Indian Knoll Manor. Hanus stated that he is very
skeptical, and not comfortable that in the future citizens won't be taxed for something
related to Indian Knoll.
Osmek stated that he feels that it is wise to keep local control of this local asset. From
the research done it seems that getting out will be more painful that continuing the
operations. He suggested trying the new system for a while, with a current city
employee at Indian Knoll for two hours a day, five days a week, serving as Housing
Coordinator, and maintenance being performed by current City departments.
Commissioner Gesch arrived at this point in the meeting.
John Dean stated that Pausche is looking for direction if she is to continue down the
lines that she has been. Hanus stated he is not prepared to say that his long term
objective is to continue with the City managing this facility. Osmek is willing to continue
for the time being and maybe re-visiting the issue in a year or two. Salazar concurred
with Osmek with the understanding that all expenses are carried by HUD, and we're not
taxing the citizens.
John Dean asked if there was a consensus to continue with operations as we now are,
and Osmek stated that it looks like a 2-1 in favor of continuing, with Gesch taking a
neutral position because of her late arrival to this meeting. Hanus stated that he wants
more details on the options provided earlier.
MOTION by Osmek, seconded by Salazar to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. All voted in favor.
Motion carried.
sir%~~ Chair Mark Hanus
Attest: Bonnie Ritter, City Clerk