Month 1999.07 July.


Day 1999.07.21HR


HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

MINUTES OF MEETING
July 21, 1999
5:45 p.m.


The Housing and Redevelopment Commission meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by Chairperson Pat Gideon
  1. ROLL CALL
    1. Members Present:    Pat Gideon, Chair, Lee Kloppenburg, Shauna Manina, W.R. Wilkinson, Denise Suihkonen, Steve Kappel, Pamela Ponce
    3. Members Absent:    None
    5. Staff Present:    Terry Rogers, Housing & Redev. Mgr., Cyndi Johnston, Housing & Redev. Mgr., Suellen Johnston, OHR Secretary
    7. Others Present:    None

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion:  To approve the minutes of the Housing and Redevelopment Commission meetings of June 16, 1999.

A request was made by Steve Kappel that the minutes be changed to reflect that his absence at the meeting was excused due to the fact that he was attending the International Rotary Convention. Pamela Ponce’ s absence should also be marked as excused.

Unanimous that the minutes be approved with the change to reflect the excused absences. Wilkinson/Kloppenburg, unanimous.
  1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion:  To approve the Agenda as submitted.  Manina/Suihkonen, unanimous.
  1. CORRESPONDENCE
None

5.    BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
None
  1. PUBLIC HEARING
None
  1. BUSINESS

Proposed Amendment to the Downtown Improvement Loan Program Guidelines

Discussion:
It is proposed that the Program Guidelines be amended to require an additional review by Redevelopment Agency staff in consultation with Community Development Department staff to ensure that any projects funded by the program have significant visual appearance upgrading consistent with the downtown area.  This would consist of an initial meeting between potential borrowers and staff to work together to develop agreement upon planned visual appearance upgrades to a building exterior.  This would take place “ up-front”  prior to the formal loan and the design review processes.

The maximum is $135,000 for the building and there is a additional $20,000 maximum per façade. ($215,000 is the maximum for a building with four facades). Basically, the intention is that since the agency is loaning money at less than market, high standards must be maintained in the construction. The improvements must be kept within the original historic nature, but it may be desirable to embellish them to make them a little more attractive.

Motion:  To recommend that the Redevelopment Agency approve the proposed amendment to the Downtown Loan Program.  Manina/Wilkinson, unanimous.
  1. REPORTS
None
  1. COMMISSION COMMENTS
    1. There was a discussion regarding loaning funds to improve the facades of buildings which are constructed of unreinforced masonry.  The policy has been not to make the loan unless the seismic issues are addressed.  It was the general feeling of the members of the Commission that the seismic improvements should be made.  The Commission may place this item on a future agenda to consider the issue further and determine if additional amendments are required to the loan program guidelines.
    3. Pat Gideon commended those employees responsible for preparation of the Landlord News Publication.  She feels they are doing an excellent job.
    5. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Denise Suikonen, Shauna Manina, Lee Kloppenburg, W. R. Wilkinson, Stevel Kappel and Pat Gideon for their financial contributions to Fair Housing.

10.    ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.