[music] [music] I would would like to call to order theTuesday, January 13th HA board meeting. Uh first item is the approval of theagenda. Are there any edits or changes? And if not, may I have a motion toapprove the agenda? >> So moved.>> Motion made by Commissioner Dolinger. >> Second,>> and second by Commissioner Carter. All in favor?>> Uh we have to do a roll call vote. Commissioner Wooten is um virtual.>> All right. Um Commissioner Mueller >> I.>> Commissioner Dolinger >> I.>> Carter I. >> Eay.>> I. >> Robertsonand Wooen >> I.>> Motion pass. >> All right. Motion passes six to zero.Um, the next order of business is we have anewly appointed commissioner who needs to take the oath of office. >> Yes, chair and commissioners. We havesomeone from the city clerk's office here to do the oath of office with uh,Commissioner Danielle Robertson, who was appointed as our council representativeat the city council meeting last week on January 5th. Matt Brillhart, Deputy City Clerk. Happyto be in front of you tonight. I had the honor of swearing in uh Council MemberRobertson last Monday. So, we'll do it again for Commissioner Robertsontonight. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.I, Danielle Robertson, >> I, Danielle Robertson,>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the state ofMinnesota >> that I will support the Constitution ofthe United States and of the state of Minnesota>> and faithfully discharge the duties of the office>> and faithfully discharge the duties of the office>> of the housing and redevelopment authority of the city of Bloomington>> of the housing and redevelopment authority of the city of Bloomington>> in the county of Henipin and the state of Minnesota>> in the county of Henipin. in the state of Minnesota.>> To the best of my judgment and ability. >> to the best of my judgment and ability.>> Perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Thank you.>> Um before we move on, if I can just have Commissioner Muin to turn on your umvideo the whole time of the meeting. Commissioner Wu, if you can just turnyour video. Thank you so much. >> Sorry, Commissioners. Rachel Tierney, ageneral counsel for the HA. We're just taking a minute. The open meeting lawrequires that Commissioner Wooten be visible in the chambers and um the votebe visible and everyone be able to see and hear each other. So, just fixingthat little technical issue. Thanks. >> Great. Thank you. All right. It lookslike we're all on board here. So, we have one consent item and that is the uhapproval of the December 9th H board meeting minutes. Um, so does anyone wantto pull this for discussion? Right. Hearing none, I need a motion toapprove the consent items. >> So moved.>> Moved by Commissioner Eay. >> Second.>> And second by Commissioner Dolinger. Can we have the roll call vote?>> Uh, Commissioner Mueller. >> I.>> Dolinger. >> I.>> Carter. >> I.>> E. I. >> Robertson.>> Hi. >> Wooten.I >> motion pass.>> Motion passes six to zero. Next item is new business. Um the Blooming MeadowSouth Affordable Housing Trust Fund loan deferral request. May we have the staffreport? >> Thank you, chair, commissioners.Uh I'm Kenny Neyer, housing development specialist. Nice to meet you. Um andyeah, the item for this evening is a request from an for deferral of theaffordable housing trust fund loan which is between the HR and an so I wanted tostart with a little background. Um for many of you this will be familiar butthis property is Blooming Meadows formerly known as Village Club.>> [snorts] >> The you can see on the map highlighteduh it's in the South Loop district of Bloomington and back in 2019 it was a306 unit apartment complex comp complex at risk of purchase and conversion fromnaturally occurring affordable housing to market rate. Um and then context forthat time around 2019 there had been a very noteworthy and substantialconversion of a 700 unit apartment building in Richfield that resulted inuh displacement of many households um for that same reason conversion fromnaturally occurring affordable housing to market rate. So [snorts] with thatcontext, AON approached the city and the HRA to request assistance for theacquisition and preservation of Village Club uh to preserve affordability.Um the request also included financing uh and assistance to completeimprovements to address life and safety concerns and attain code compliance forthe property. And then just for context, um, so AON we we have here this evening,but they're a nonprofit affordable housing provider operating since 1986and they've built, purchased or renovated nearly 5,900 apartments andtown homes and we did include their annual report in the packet um for 2024.So they uh are operating currently 409 affordable housing units here inBloomington. So the city andOh, I'm not able to advance slides. Could you advance for me, please?Thanks. Try it again. Not quite.There we go. Thank you. So, the city and the HR partnered in 2019 to acquireBlooming Meadow South uh and complete those improvements that I mentioned. So,those were life safety and code compliance improvements. At that time,AON invested around 3.2 million in those improvements. The AON to date has alsomade organizational contributions for debt service operations, staffing, unitturn costs. Uh, and these are all due to the property not supporting its ownoperational expenses. So that represents even an additional investment beyondthat 3.2 noted here on the slide. Uh, in addition, AON constructed new affordablehousing units on the site. In the if you I'll look back to the previous, sooutlined in red are the new apartment units. That's 172 units. And you'll seein the table at the bottom of this slide the breakdown of affordability in thatbuilding which is called Blooming Meadows North. There's a picture of itthere. Um that complex U Blooming Meadows North is providing 17 of the 4030% AMI units that have been built in Bloomington since 2020. And that'sthanks to support of projectbased vouchers from the HR. [snorts] Uh andI'll also note um so after the acquisition of Blooming Meadows South uhthose 306 units were their affordability was preserved at 60% of the area medianincome or below. Uh in reality a lot of those units are actually renting at evendeeper deeper levels of affordability. Um and the occupancy for that buildinghas varied recently in the last six months between 90 95% occupancy.So, I mentioned assistance from the HA and the city. So, the primary form ofthat assistance was a $7 million loan through the affordable housing trustfund. And since that loan was um issued, part of the the negotiated schedule forrepayment was to repay 2 million in principal and 1 million in interest byJanuary of 2023. So, that those repayments have been received by thecity and the HA. And so you'll see the outstanding balance there in the tablefor that $7 million affordable housing trust fund loan. The entire complex, sothe preservation of the Blooming Meadows South and the new construction ofBlooming Meadows North was also supported by the establishment of a taxincrement financing district. So I've noted at the bottom of the slide wherethe revenues generated by that district go in this project.So the project uh and AON have come to request deferral for the loan paymentsfor that affordable housing trust fund loan in 2026. There are some um there mmultiple factors that have resulted in that request. Chief among them weresignificant revenue losses from um the co era. So that has continued to impactthis property. Um there a lot significant revenue losses during theeviction moratorum and there have also been significant losses related tooperational costs that were higher than average. So utility costs. Uh and inaddition there are several common areas at the property that are no longer inuse which impact marketability and are part of the reason for that um not beingable to rent units closer to that 60% AMI level. So, we've noted those uhfactors here and the goals for this deferral are to allow for exploration ofa comprehensive refinancing and rehabilitation of Blooming MeadowsSouth. Uh so, the senior lender for Blooming Meadows South has issued adeferral for their for their senior debt. So, another goal for the deferralof the HA loan would be to align with that action of the the senior lender.And then the deferral would also allow for the time uh for decision to comedown on a significant component of the external subsidy that AON is seeking tosupport Blooming Meadow South and that is the community stabilization fund umwhich I've noted at the top of this slide is uh over $20 million and that'sfrom Minnesota housing. So, this was part of the uh the affordable housingsupport that was passed in the 2023 legislative session. So, it's just nowbeing deployed. There is an RFP late 2025 and decision was actuallyanticipated on this fund in December of 25, but the decision is now expected inFebruary. So the deferral here allows for a decision to come um so that AONknows this the result of this very significant component.So uh I mentioned AON is working with their senior lender to explore thisrefinance project. Um the city and HA the HA approved a deferral of the 2025affordable housing trust fund loan payments. So that was January of lastyear. Uh and then another since then the Met Council awarded the project $2million. So that was in partnership with the HRA. AON and the HA applied forfunds from Met Council for that rehab component of this project and didreceive 2 million. Um so at this point the request would be for deferral of thetwo payments in 2026. Each payment is 197,722and83. Um and the the deferral of thesepayments would result in the need for HR levy funds that have been set aside. Sothis is the half million in HA levy funds that are set aside each year.They're set aside in a backs stop fund. Uh if this if AN's payments aredeferred, there would be a need to draw on these levy funds to meet the city andHA's obligations to Old National Bank for its 2026 debt service.So for consideration is the this request for deferral of the 2026 payments. Um ifthis were approved, we would finalize and sign deferral documents. So that's aloan amendment and a revised promisary note and those would be recorded on theproperty and then we would await decision on that significant umfinancial subsidy in February and additional subsidies that um AON isseeking in support of this project. And I've already mentioned that uh AONstaff are here to help assist with questions, but um I've left therecommended motion on the slide. Thank you. >> Questions?>> Yeah, I have a question for one of the AON staff. So, I understand that um youguys are awaiting the $20 million uh community stabilization funds, but frommy understanding that isn't something that's guaranteed. It's kind of like anaward decision. So my question is, is there a plan B for the property if thedeferral is granted and something happens and efforts are stalled again?And if so, what would that plan B be? Plan B be>> sure. Oh yeah. >> Uh yeah, thanks for that question. Myname's Laura Russ. Um I'm my title at AON is chief real estate officer. Um I'mhere with Juan Torres. He's director of housing development.uh we have um put forward this plan uh to the state in hopes that we will getthis grant. That's one component of it. There will be other steps and otherfunds we will need to secure to complete that um that plan. As you noted though,this is kind of you know what has delayed our decision as to the pathforward for this project. Uh because these state funds are a crucialcomponent of that. If we are not awarded the state funds, um we'll have tore-evaluate the options, but at that point, it is likely that we would thenneed to pursue a sale of the property. >> Other questions?Commissioner Dolinger. >> Um, if the unfortunateuh happened there and you needed to sell, what would be the protections forthe residents in the property? >> Yeah, the um when AON purchased theproperty um with the city, there were covenants put in place that run with theland to um ensure that a future owner would maintain some degree ofaffordability with those units. Um, just keep in mind we're only talking aboutBlooming Meadows South here. Blooming Meadows North is a separate legal entityand we're not that that would not be on a likely sale path. Um, so this is justsouth. Um, and there are covenants that run with the land um for affordabilitythere. >> Thank you.>> Uh, chair commissioners, I might also just add that we do also the city alsohas a affordable housing tenant protection ordinance in place. So ifthere were a transfer of ownership, there are some rules and restrictionsaround changing of criteria, screening criteria and things like that as well. >> Commissioner Carter.>> Uh thank you, Chair. So this question is probably more for staff. Um in yourconversations, was there did you guys explore um just uh deferring the firstpayment since we should have a decision in February or you should have adecision in February? >> Yeah, chair and commissioners. Uh we didum as Kenny mentioned the six months because our payments are due early inthe year. The six-month deferral includes both payments but also doesalign with their the senior lenders uh deferral. Um also, you know, a lothinges on this decision about the $20 million community stabilization funds.And then following the results of that decision, this does allow us a littlebit of time to do some planning and think, you know, kind of um do some moreplanning for next steps and put options together for future steps. So, this doesgive us a little bit more um space to react uh depending on what the decisionis. >> Okay.>> Question, >> Commissioner Wooden.>> So, I'm going to go in a positive nature here. Let's say we are able to getfunding. We don't get the whole 20 million.Is that a possibility to still be able to move forward?>> Yeah. Uh, commissioners, I can take that one. Um, so, uh, absolutely. You know, Ithink we put together a really strong application. Um, the these funds weredesigned for this use. It really just comes down to the state of Minnesota.So, it's out of our control. It really is up to the state. If we are awardedthose funds, it really we see it as um uh really the the the fire starter forall these additional sources. So the way sources work is once you get acommitment like that, everything else becomes a lot easier to secure. Um wewere here about six months ago getting approval for funding for uh the LCDAprogram through Met Council. Uh we received that award equal to $2 million.So there is already resources available for this uh uh rehab effort. Um this $20million would really just be the momentum we need to go after additionalresources. um uh really the the bulk actually of the overall totaldevelopment cost. >> Another question.So for development cost um is there contingency built in for price overrunsincreases based on construction? >> Yes, that is um um pretty uh standardfor our financial modeling. So we always have um a percentage of contingency ummade available for uh pricing increases. Um and we're also evaluating the timingof a potential closing. So our modeling is based off of when we would uhpotentially start construction. Other questions,comments? Commissioner Carter.>> Uh, thank you, Chair. Um, so I think we all probably recognize this is just notthe ideal scenario, but uh I think it's also very obvious that there have beenfactors that have contributed to the situation beyond the control, anybody'scontrol um including the pandemic and even probably what's happening rightnow. So, um, so I guess I just want to maybereiterate for people who are listening, the idea is by securing this additionalthese additional dollars to reinvest in the property, um, then AON will be in abetter position to get um, rents that are at a higher rate and be able to kindof close that gap in the operational cost to run the building and it'll bemore sustainable, financially sustainable.>> Yeah, that that is definitely part of it. Um, another part is that these uhhomes need substantial capital investment and by substantial I meanalmost at replacement level is is essentially what we have planned for.Um, and because they have such high physical needs that has greatly impactedthe operating cost level. Um, we also need they were purchased at a time wherevalues were higher than they are currently. So, we need some assistanceto refinance that debt in a way that more appropriately matches current dayvalues. So, it's both of those things um to get operating costs to a asustainable place over the longer term by having units that are, you know, notonly in better physical condition, but also um are at a cost level that matchesbetter with vacancy and occupancy. >> Okay. Um, I think that's just a helpfulkind of just helpful to reiterate that. And so, um, you know, I really I I planto support, um, this proposal tonight. Again, not an ideal scenario. Um, I doappreciate that. Um, almost all organizations like yours are in verysimilar positions with properties across the metro area. It's a really difficultmarket right now. Um and so you know as we have a role as a partner we'veobviously invested in this initiative with you guys and so um you know I thinkit's important that we you know this is there's a really big opportunity infront of us in front of you guys and so um I think if we were to not approve ittonight um I mean that really really I would imagine it puts that $20 millionat risk. Would you agree with that?>> Yeah. I mean, we won't be able to close on any new financing, including grants,if we don't have a loan that's papered to match uh reality. So, a loan that isnot that has essentially expired and has not been amended is a kind of a stoppingpoint for any funer of of, you know, lender or state funds.>> Yeah. And I would hate for, you know, our community to miss out on that typeof reinvestment that could happen um and significantly improve the property,significantly improve quality of life for the residents who live there, andobviously make the property more sustainable long term. So, so I'll besupporting the proposal tonight. >> Thank you.>> I had mixed feelings about being in this place again, you know, a year later. Um,still here. I in in talking and and in weighing the you know it's like onething builds upon another. If we approve this then you're eligible for this andthis. So I I understand all that and I will be supporting it as well. I just Iknow no one has control. I just hope we're not here next year.And and um from what I know of your organization, I know that you're notjust sitting back, you know, and like, okay, the city's going to bail us out. II I know you're not doing that. I think you have represented yourselves verywell. Um it's not a good position to for any of us to be in um as commissioners,as the residents of your building, as your organization.So, I just want to acknowledge that there's so many factors going intothis that um you'd really have to study it likesomeone out there going, "What do you mean they're going to vote for this?"But, um it's a solid decision for right now for where everyone's at. So, Iappreciate your work on this. >> Thank you. And we we appreciate thecity's partnership as well. Like you said, it's a shared challenge and we'redoing our best to come up with options, but it it is a difficult environment.>> Yeah. Any other questions or comments? All right. Well, hearing none, um then Iam looking for a motion to adopt resolution number 2026dash. We'll fill that in later. Okay. A resolution approving deferred paymentsfor the Blooming Meadow South Loan between AON and the Housing andRedevelopment Authority in and for the city of Bloomington. So, may I have amotion? >> Motion.>> Okay. Mo uh moved by Commissioner Rooten, second by Commissioner Dolinger.And now we will have the roll call vote. Commissioner Mueller>> I >> Dolinger>> I >> Carter I>> Eay I >> Robertson>> I Wooen >> I>> right motion passes six to zero. Next item is the bring it home rentalassistance program administrative plan. May we have the staff report? >> Good evening chair and commissioners. Uhmy name is Valentina Abdelov. I'm a program specialist too for the HA. I'mpresenting tonight about a motion to approve the appendix to the HCVadministrative plan for the Brit Home program. On December 24th, 2025, the HA executeda $2.6 $6 million grant contract with Minnesota housing for a two-year term.This contract covers program administration as well as startup costs.The Bring It Home or BIH program is built on the framework of the housingchoice voucher HCV program administrative plan with somemodifications that we will be presenting this evening for your approval. Uh thepurpose of these modifications is to create greater flexibility, streamlineoperations, and expand access for families at or below the 50% area medianincome or AMI with priority given to families at or below 30% AMI who havechildren. As noted earlier, the bringing homeprogram is modeled after the HCV program, incorporating certainmodifications that were approved by this board in January of 2025, as well asMinnesota housing in late 2025. Uh, the Bloomington HR will serve as a programadministrator. Additionally, we plan to build a partnership with Henipin CountySchool to Housing Program to strengthen support for referred participatingfamilies. Key modifications to the HCV admin planfor the bring it home program include aligning the definition of family withthe codified definition adopted by the city. We also plan to establish aseparate weight list for the bringing it home program distinct from the existinguh housing choice voucher or projectbased voucher weight lists. Thisseparation is necessary due to the differences in programmatic rules uhparticularly regarding portability under bring it home. Uh the participants willnot be able to move outside of the city of Bloomington with this voucher.However, applying for the bringing it home weight list or participating in theprogram will not affect a family status on the HCV or PBV weight lists.Regarding our partnership with Henipin County Schooltoousing initiative, weplan to set aside 20 vouchers from our total allocation. To implement the setaside, we will use a waiting list preference. Once enrolled in theprogram, families will receive 12 months of supportive services through anonprofit partner identified by school to housing.Additionally, we plan to expand the type of identification accepted to verifyidentity, including its and other valid forms. This change does not alter ourrequirement to verify citizenship for all household members.Uh projectbased vouchers, uh just a little explanation of the difference ofHCV and PBV project based vouchers. the assistance is tied to the unit versushousing choice vouchers where the assistance is tied to the family.Therefore, uh the assistance is ended once the family moves out of theprojectbased voucher unit. Uh we're requesting modifications to theprojectbased voucher section of the admin plan as listed here. Uh some keytakeaways from these requests uh remove limits on the number of projectbasedvoucher units allowed per property for future development and existing units.This change aims to encourage more landlord participation and increaseavailable housing units allows um allows more flex flexible PBV application andcontracting for the bring home units including simplified processes, HAdefined selection criteria and relaxed HUD requirements where permitted bystate and federal law permits PB. Uh, this also permits PBVfunds for existing rental units to be considered legally committed for up to120 days after signing an agreement, even before the final contract isexecuted. No funds are spent before we begin issuing rental assistance.Uh, this also allows project-based voucher units that meet state and localstandards or have passed prior inspections to skip certain HUD specificreviews like environmental or subsidy layering if not required by other laws.And also to clarify, a lot of the times developers do have to perform theseenvir uh environmental studies in order to secure funding. Anyway, uh thecurrent policy known as the family right to move allows a family that has livedin a project-based unit for at least 12 months to receive a housing choicevoucher to move upon request if funding is available. Under the bringing homeprogram, we are removing this provision from the administrative plan. This meansthe HA will not be required to issue a bringing it home voucher after 12months, even if one is available. Also, the as stated, the bringing ithome program has the framework of the housing choice voucher program. We areasking that the board approves the same payment standards for this program asthe housing choice voucher payment standards approved by the board inDecember of 2025. Here are the next steps that willrequire board action and engagement in the next four months, and we're lookingforward to further discussion on this matter.on the screen is the recommended action and I'll turn it back to chair andcommissioners for any questions or feedback.>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions,comments? I just need one clarification. It's backa couple of screens. The legal encumbrance and 120 days. Can youexplain that just a little bit more? >> Sure. Yeah, I'll have Anna kind ofelaborate more on that. [laughter] >> Okay. Didn'tmean to stump you. It's not >> I know. That's okay.>> Uh good evening, chair and commissioners. Uh thank you for thequestion. Um so this is in regards to a project that we would award projectbasedvouchers to. This would allow us to essentially encumber those funds for upto 120 days. Um so that we can demonstrate to the state that we'respending the dollars while we're working to kind of get those vouchers issued andthings like that. So it'll it it's another way of demonstratinguh program compliance if that makes sense.>> Thank you. >> Other questions, comments, Commissioner Wooten, do you have anyquestions or comments? >> Okay.Commissioner Carter, >> I think I may have misheard you. Can youexplain the family right to move piece again?>> Sure. Uh so currently with the housing choice voucher or I'm sorry the uhproject based vouchers basically when a family lives in a project based unit forat least 12 months and they choose to move if the HA has the funding availablethey will issue them a housing choice voucher. With the bring it home programuh we are removing that. So if a family is in the unit for 12 months and doeschoose to move, we are not required even if the funding is available to issuethem a bring it home voucher. >> Okay. So kind of the the bring it homevoucher would stay with the project and then would be issued to the next familyor whoever is in the building. >> Correct.>> Okay. Okay. Thank you for >> Yeah. Absolutely.I might just add chair and commissioners um one key uh difference in this statefunded program from the federal program is that there's no portability whichmeans that the vouchers can't move outside of Bloomington. They can't moveto a different city. They can't move to another state. And so, you know, thatkind of does um add some restrictions to how we can operate the program. And so,some of these um u modifications around project based vouchers allow us to workwithin that framework. Any other questions, comments?All right. Thank you. So, um, I'll be looking for a motion anda second to approve bringing at home rental assistance program appendix tothe 2026 housing choice voucher administrative plan and approve the 2026payment standards for the bring it home rental assistance program.I have a motion. >> So move.>> Moved by Commissioner Dolinger. >> Second.>> And second by Commissioner Robinson. May we have the roll call vote.>> Commissioner Mueller >> I.>> Dolinger >> I.>> Carter >> I.>> Eay. >> I.>> Robertson >> I.>> Wooten. >> I I.>> All right. Motion passes 6 to zero. Now we're on discussion items. Um, first oneis the 2026 draft work plan discussion. Administrator.All right. Oh, could I have a click? Yes. Thank you.Thank you. All right. Chair and commissioners. Uhokay. Um so, as you all know, annually at the HS's annual meeting, which is thefirst meeting in February, the second Tuesday first meeting, um we approve awork plan for the upcoming year from February to February. And so ahead ofthe discussion um in at the annual meeting in February, this is anopportunity to talk a little bit more about the goals that are identified inthe work plan and see if there's anything that the the board would likeadded or removed. Um and kind of just have a little bit of a discussion aroundthe board's goals for next year. Um, and so I'll do a quick summary includingsome of the things we accomplished in 2025 that allow us to have some spacefor other priorities in 2026, some of the ongoing multi-year projects, um, andthen some of the, uh, recommended additions for 2026. And I'll also noteum, we, you know, as you know from housing choice vouchers and things likethat, there's a lot of day-to-day work um, through that the HA does. So, youknow, issuing loans, um, processing paperwork, doing reporting, managingproperties, those aren't reflected here. So, this is just a conversation on thestrategic priorities. We'll do reporting on all of that at the annual meeting. And I know there's a lot of words in thenext few slides. Um, again, I I won't go too much into detail on these becausewe'll talk about a little bit more at the annual meeting, but, you know, somemajor accomplishments of 2025 that are coming off the work plan. um the heightsuh that was a huge initiative and a lot of staff time and effort and umdiscussions from the H and the city council and a lot of work went intothat. It is now moving forward and starting with construction and so weanticipate the workload on that to decrease. Um we implemented a newsoftware to issue our um home rehab loans. We approved a framework for thelocal affordable housing aid that was designated to the HA to administer. Umthe HA and the city council both approved that framework on how to spendit. Um, we worked on capital improvement planning for HR owned properties. We dida number of policy and programmatic updates. So, updating our homeimprovement loan manual, rental homes for future home buyers. We also did,skipping down to the second to last bullet there, we had a couple five-yearplans um that we reviewed reviewed and modified last year. So, our CDBG 5-yearconsolidated plan, our five-year housing choice voucher uh review of the adminplan. Um, so quite a few policy reviews. We also launched the uh the constructionin partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the two single family homes with ADUsat 9030 Park A and I just drove by there this morning. I will say they're lookinggreat. Highly recommend taking a drive past. Um we also issued an RFP or arequest for proposals for uh some of our federal funding, community developmentblock grant funding. And we also did a um an analysis of the housing market andsome of the costs associated there which will be presented to both the HR and thecity council in early 2026. These are some of the um multi-yearpriorities. So these are pretty large initiatives. Just the fact that they aremulti-year just you know demonstrate that they they take a lot of time andand effort and um thoughtfulness in terms of developing and rolling out newprograms. Um so we just had the presentation on the bring it home rentalassistance program and the framework um and admin administration of that.Bloomington affordable home ownership is another uh big multi-year strategicinitiative of the HA. So this is uh we received the grant from Minnesotahousing to develop um single family homes for home ownership and there'sbeen quite a bit of work uh on this program over the past year and willcontinue to be a lot more to come. As you can see we've got eight lots startedunder development. So there is quite a bit of uh staff work associated withworking with our partners on those. Um um continuing to move forward with thelocal affordable housing aid. So now that the the framework is approved,approving spending and getting those dollars out the door into the communitywhere they're needed. Um we also had launched some uh federally fundedAmerican Rescue Plan Act partnerships. Um these were um launched at the end of2024, early 2025 and are underway. The spending for that is should be expandedby the end of the year. So, we expect those to wrap up this year. They'rerunning pretty smoothly, but are a multi-year initiative. And then the lastthing on here is um we've been doing some research on a 4D program, which isa bas basically a property tax classification for some of our naturallyoccurring affordable housing or Noah properties. And so, um you should seesome future actions coming up on considering um that program as well.All right, which brings me to 2026. Some of these uh recommended additionalpriorities. So these are the newly added um these would be priorities in additionto the multi-year initiatives we just talked about. Um of [clears throat]looking into, you know, we have um a system set up for how we process andissue our home improvement loans. And so kind of really looking at um what aresome cost-ffective methods to do that? Um does it make sense to work withpartners on some of the issuing of those loans or not? what's a costbenefitanalysis? Some of those questions, federal grant monitoring and compliance,as we are all very aware, there's been a lot of changes from the federalgovernment and a lot of the H funding is federal and so um just keeping track ofthe changes and making sure that we're uh adjusting where we need to adjust tomaintain compliance is a continues to be a priority. Planning and coordinatingcommunications and community outreach. So thinking a little bit more about umwhat systems do we have in place to communicate out about the HR work um andyou know what are some opportunities we have to um communicate more about theimpact of the HR is another uh would be in partnership with our communicationsand community outreach teams and then um the home fair. So this is a fair that'severy other year um has happened quite a few times in the past. This will be myfirst one. I'm looking forward to it. But this year is an even year, so it's ahome fair year. So that is also something that'll take a good amount oftime and and energy. Um and then uh we partner with a couple ofdifferent organizations on um home buyer and financial counseling services. Andso this this also came out of um some of the priority based budgeting um work andwas a recommendation to align with regional partners. Um and so thinkingthrough, you know, what are our strategic partnerships in that space andwhat makes the most sense in terms of uh delivering those services and then umconsidering supports for Noah properties. I know this is something acouple of board members have expressed interest in over the past year, butthings like you know the 40 program falls under here. Also um collectingresources for homeowners associations and making sure that those are availableonline. So it would it kind of [clears throat] um part of this wouldalso be just looking at what resources we have available for Noah properties umand looking at where there may be gaps or other other supports. And then thelast thing I'll note here is a city-owned land disposition policy. Thisis led by planning but would involve the HR um and so the idea here is to look atsome underutilized city and HR owned land and consider a strategy for how toum put it to a higher use. So that was a lot of talking and um Iput these questions are also in your packet. You also have the work plan thedraft of the 2026 work plan in front of you. It's kind of split into our five uhwork areas. So operations but also home ownership path pathways, housingstability, housing preservation, housing creation, and each one is split intostrategic versus core work. So again, this this focuses on the strategicpriorities. And then here's a series of questions. since we don't necessarilyneed to go through these one at a time but might be helpful for uh for thediscussion. So um with that I think we can open the discussion. All right. Um, one I'll just start one of the firstthings that came to my mind as I don't know if it's a priority or justa want on my part um is some something towards down paymentassistance to keep people in the city of Bloomington who want to buy a househere. Um that's I mean there is state moneyand some federal money for down payment assistance but that's not always enough.>> Um or you know and some of these things canbe stacked on each other. It's just um I know it can be a cumbersome program toadminister but I would just like some thought attentionum on that issue. That's yeah that's my thing.>> Yes and I'll I'll note too we do there are a couple as you pointed out umregional agencies doing this and we have been working with Habitat on their downpayment assistance program but that's something we can also bring back to theboard for discussion. >> Yeah I mean Commissioner E. Yeah, I justwanted to add on um this is more so a commentary than a question, but maybe anemphasis on maintaining the current properties we have and kind of a morepreventative approach because I know there's been situations in the pastwhere we're kind of trying to fix something once it's already broken. AndI think as much as all of these programs are really needed and super important,um, we should also emphasize kind of keeping the people in their homes aswell and having a good property they can be in where things aren't leaking oraren't broken or things like that. So, I kind of believe that an ounce ofprevention is better than a pound of cure. So, even if that means we have todo more front-end work, I think long term that's the better option.>> Thank you, Commissioner Robinson. Thank you so much. Um to go off of what uhCommissioner Eay is saying, I think that is so important that we recognize thatum an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right? It will beultimately if everyone's main focus is the dollar. Um it will be cheaper in thelong run to maintain those properties up front, right? Um and I know when I hadmet um with uh Miss Abe, excuse me, my apologies, I'm new. Thank you so much.Um I was really um impressed to hear about some of the programs we have herein the city of Bloomington that do keep people in their homes and that can helppeople remedy problems upfront. Right. So if we have someone in their home andhas a a perhaps a cosmetic issue that's you know outside maybe a sidewalk orpainting or something like that. I was really impressed to hear that we willhelp residents um with those issues upfront so that they are able to stayhere in Bloomington. We want them to stay here. We want to help them. We wantto help um residents live the best life they can. And so I was very impressed tohear that and I just wanted to say commissioner you say that that is soimportant right let's keep people in their homes now and and let's prevent umproblems later on down the line it'll be better and cheaper for everyone in thelong run so thank you >> thank you>> commissioner Carter >> thank you umso I would say um as I looked at kind ofmore of the well the strategic priorities and the core activities um Imean I think definitely insuring uring all programs maintain compliance withchanging federal guidelines is top priority. UmI don't want us to ever I don't want us especially with this administration toget any kind of like sticky positions. And so just wanting to make sure we'recrossing all our tees and dotting all our eyes and not uh giving them anythingto come after us for. And so I think we're probably all on the same page forthat on that. Um, I also really like the addition of the communications andcommunity outreach um, planning and coordination. I do think there is anopportunity to ensure that more people across the community know about theresources and the support that we provide. And um,I'll be I'll admit I don't really get on Facebook very much, but I do think thatsometimes there are narratives that get out there that are not necessarily true.And so just to make sure that we can share the city's the H story in aneffective accurate way. Yes. >> Um again ensuring that people probablytop priority is just making sure people know about the resources and supportthat are available to most residents across the community, right? Um and thenI agree on the support and partner with the other down payment assistanceprograms. I mean, we hear from uh people all the time about, you know, being likeborn and raised in Bloomington but now can't afford a house here. Um the thestarter home is much more expensive nowadays. And so, um I I think that is atop priority. And then I am um I'm very interested in learning more and I thinkit's a great thing for us to explore the city only and disposition policy. Umobviously we're a builtout community. we don't have a lot of opportunities tobuild and so if there are if there is if there are parts there's you know landthat we could um sell or lease to somebody who wants tobuild homes and I mean I would even at this point I mean I would be interestedin affordable homes and we could even consider some market rate right like Ithink we could look kind of across the spectrum>> um and then my I have a question I don'tknow what this 4D program is. And so I guess I'd be curious to>> I was going to ask for clarification also.>> Yeah. Chair and commissioners, a couple cities in the metro area have um thisprogram essentially um in uh in exchange for um tying affordability to theproperty and maintaining a certain level of affordability like a covenant thatkeeps the property at 60% AMI, then that property gets a property tax reduction.So it's basically a property tax reduction for affordable properties. Umso we've had some questions and considerations around how you know theeffectiveness of this, how does it work, what's the state legislation. So we'vebeen exploring some of that this year and we do plan to bring um a questionyou know I guess a discussion to the board sometime in Q1 of this year totalk about that type of program and if we would be interested in in exploringthat further. >> Okay, that's great. I I definitely thinkwe should have an initial discussion because just based on what you said, Ihave questions and so I think that would be great. Um um otherwise I kind of feel I feel likethis is a pretty comprehensive list and I would be very hesitant to addinganything to an already full plate especially as we still have um thingshappening at the federal level and we don't know what that's going to mean forus at the local level and there might be some things that we have to address orpivot or whatever and so um for in terms of the third bullet I don't think Iwould add anything else. Um, [clears throat]yeah, I think that's what I that's what I've got. I hope that's helpful.>> Thank you. >> Thank you,>> Commissioner Dolinger. >> I just want to add Commissioner Carter'suh comment about factual information and being able to acquire it. Uh it's superimportant that people know where to and can trust the information that they'regetting with regards to I mean everything really. But in our littleecosystem here, I think it'd be a good idea to have a place where trustedinformation can be acquired, questions can be asked, things like that. umjust so people can get the information they need, stay informed, stuff likethat. >> Thank you. Um I have one just quickquestion, but I think I know the answer, but I want you to answer it. Um, whenyou said about information for HOAs online, is that like a resource soplaces don't get into trouble have a a place they can go to for resources forthe city of Bloomington and the state of Minnesota?>> Yeah, chair and commissioners, there's been a lot of uh uh conversations aroundHOAs and their management and legislation around that at the statelevel. So that is um we did last year do an HOA study where we kind of assessedthe HOAs that exist in Bloomington and uh added an FAQ online but there are Ithink there are some opportunities to look at the resources that are availableand is it easy you know easy to access and find online or are there moreresources that we can offer um even yeah there are other options to explore thereI think. Okay, thank you. I guess I have one more quick thing. Um,as far as in the first bullet point, which of these accomplishments is mostexciting? Um, I was so happy to this summer when we'd had the groundbreakingfor the 9030 park and the fact that they're going on that we can seetangible results of our work. And I'm also veryexcited about the St. Mark's property and that being developed and you knowthat's from a grant. We brought money you know tax money back to Bloomington.>> Um and it's going you know to that people who work in this city can live inthis city you know that law enforcement and social workers and teachers andeverything can you know have an opportunity for for housing and and tostay in the city of Bloomington. So, I'm very excited. I know it's a few yearsout, but I'm very excited that we have moved forward on this and and theproject is underway. So, all right. Any other questions orcomments? No. Okay. And next, uh, H administrator updates.>> All right. All right, chair commissioners, I just have one shortupdate for you, which is that uh the wait list for the Rosalyn, the projectbased vouchers available there, which is for seniors 55 and above, is currentlyopen and is open until February 6th. So, people are currentlyapplying that. Um our our normal weight list is open 100% of the time. It nevercloses, but this weight list because it's a little bit more specific um it itis only open for a shorter period of time. So, we're currently receivingapplications for that. >> And can you currently go online andapply? >> Yes. Yes, people can go online andapply. >> Okay. Thank you,>> Commissioner Robertson. >> And just to confirm, that was um openuntil February 6th. >> February 6th. Correct.>> Thank you so much. >> All right. Well, we have come to the endof our agenda. So, may I have a motion to adjourn the Tuesday, January 13th Hboard meeting? >> So, moved.>> Moved by Commissioner Carter. >> Second.>> And second by Commissioner Dolinger. May we have the roll call vote.>> Commissioner Mueller. >> I.>> Doinger. >> I.>> Carter. >> I.>> E. I. >> Robertson. I.>> Wooten. >> I. Right.>> Motion passes six to zero. Thank you everyone. >> [music] [music]