2017.04.04 EDC Minutes SIGNED - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Commissioner Garcia -Perez stated the only issue she saw was the need for the City to continue to provide affordable housing to meet the needs of the community. Commissioner Murlowski questioned if the City Council was interested in the having the EDC investigate affordable housing further. Councilmember Bauman reported the Council was interested in housing but noted this was not a top five priority for the City Council in 2017. Chair Zisla believed the Council did want to have the EDC investigate housing programs further. Commissioner Peck inquired if it was the City's place to step in to assist homeowners with rehabilitation. He stated there were a lot of loan and mortgage plans in place to assist homeowners with home improvements. He did not believe there was an existing problem for the City to fix, outside of offering additional affordable housing. Commissioner Allen stated he would not oppose the City considering an emergency loan fund. Commissioner Murlowski did not mind going down the road to address this topic, however, he also saw that there were a large number of programs already in place to assist homeowners. Gundlach reviewed a chart from a 2010 City Council packet and commented further on the programs available to New Brighton residents. Chair Zisla stated he would be interested to see how residents of Coon Rapids, Fridley and Roseville were utilizing the housing programs available in each city. Commissioner Carter believed the market would assist in dictating the type of housing the community needed. Commissioner Garcia -Perez commented on how the mortgage crisis impacted neighboring communities and stated she did not want to see this type of event impact New Brighton residents. Chair Zisla understood the EDC should further discuss affordable housing. He questioned what else the EDC should be focusing on specifically. Commissioner Garcia -Perez was interested in looking into the programs available to New Brighton residents and see how they are being utilized. Commissioner Allen agreed and wanted to make the public more aware of the programs that were available on the City's website. He questioned when the City could hold a discussion on affordable housing. Gundlach anticipated this would occur this year but believed this discussion should begin by speaking with a representative from the Met Council. Gundlach described how CEE worked and suggested a representative from this organization meet with the EDC to discuss how this group worked to assist individuals with housing related concerns. Commissioner Carter was interested in hearing more from CEE. Commissioner Benke questioned if affordable housing was a Planning Commission issue versus the EDC. He suggested if a representative from the Met Council were to visit with the City that the EDC and Planning Commission be invited to this meeting.