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<br />Chair Zisla requested the EDC also consider appointing a Vice Chair for 2017 in the event he would be <br />unable to attend a meeting. He recommended the EDC members consider this over the coming weeks <br />and that action be taken at the May meeting. <br /> <br />Housing Programs Overview <br />Gundlach provided the EDC with an overview and detailed information on the City’s housing programs, <br />along with previous discussions that have been held by the City Council on this topic. <br /> <br />Chair Zisla discussed the market data available for homes from the County Assessor and noted his home <br />was not on the list. <br /> <br />Gundlach explained staff was seeking to find trends within the data from the County and stated no <br />trends were identified, other than the fact multi-family housing property values were on the decline. She <br />then commented on the potential for a housing rehab program. Staff noted Fridley and Coon Rapids <br />have rehab housing programs. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding cluttered homes versus well maintained homes in the community. <br /> <br />Commissioner Peck questioned why the City should be stepping in when a homeowner could get a loan <br />from a bank to improve their home. Gundlach described how a revolving loan program could be used to <br />assist homeowners with making necessary improvements. She commented on how an emergency loan <br />fund could help homeowners in need. <br /> <br />Commissioner Garcia-Perez encouraged the City to take into consideration the economic impact of a <br />rehab program. <br /> <br />Commissioner Allen asked if the EDC would be discussing affordable housing. Gundlach <br />recommended this conversation be held separately from housing programs. <br /> <br />Commissioner Allen commented on the inclusionary housing program that was recently implemented by <br />the City of Edina. He stated he was interested in looking at how other cities were addressing the issue of <br />housing and rising housing costs to ensure their community had a diverse range of options for their <br />residents. Gundlach discussed the number of affordable housing units already available in the City of <br />New Brighton. She explained that these inclusionary housing programs do have buyout options for <br />developers and these ordinances may not be the best option for the City of New Brighton. She <br />recommended a representative from the Met Council come and speak to the EDC regarding affordable <br />housing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Bauman did not believe the Met Council should be dictating how many affordable units <br />each community should have. She stated the Met Council was an unelected body that should be in <br />charge of sewer and water. She encouraged the EDC to consider what the goal of the housing program <br />would be prior to creating a program. <br /> <br />Commissioner Carter suggested the EDC focus on what type of housing program could realistically be <br />implemented by the City. <br /> <br />Gundlach commented further on the affordable housing units available within the City and noted the <br />requirements that had to be followed by the property owners. <br /> <br />Commissioner Murlowski believed there were enough housing programs already in place that the City <br />did not have to get involved. <br />