--- title: 2026-07-20 HRA Minutes ## author: Justin LaRue date: D:20210914194400Z --- ## Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes July 20, 2026 ## Richfield Municipal Center ## Council Chambers ## 6700 Portland Avenue South 1. ## Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Hanson 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. ## Roll Call Members Present: Gordon Hanson, Chair; Sean Hayford Oleary; Mary Supple; John Young; and Brett Stursa. ## Members Excused: Staff Present: Melissa Poehlman, Executive Director; Julie Urban, Assistant Community Development Director; and Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk. 3. ## Open Forum a. Participants can share their comments in person, by voicemail, or email, and may also request to participate virtually. For more information on submitting comments, refer to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Agenda and Minutes page on the City's Website. 4. Approval of the Agenda MOTION: made by Commissioner Young, seconded by Commissioner Supple to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Hayford Oleary, Supple, Hanson, Young, and Stursa. Motion carried: 5:0 5. ## Approval of Minutes a. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting of May 18, 2026. MOTION: made by Commissioner Stursa, seconded by Commissioner Hayford Oleary to approve the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Regular Meeting Minutes from May 18, 2026. Voting Aye: Hayford Oleary, Supple, Hanson, Young, and Stursa. Motion carried: 5:0 6. ## Presentations 7. ## Consent Calendar 8. ## Consideration of Items, if Any Removed From Consent Calendar 9. ## Public Hearings 10. ## Resolutions 11. ## Other Business a. Consideration of a policy for use of the 4d (1) tax classification as a tool to create and preserve affordable housing. Assistant Community Director Urban presented item 11a, Consideration of a Policy for Use of the 4d (1) Tax Classification. Staff reviewed the proposed 4d (1) tax classification policy, emphasizing Richfield’s commitment to preserving affordable housing while balancing the tax impacts on the city and taxpayers. The policy establishes 4d (1) as a tool of last resort, prioritizing preservation and rehabilitation of naturally occurring affordable housing and projects that meet key housing priorities; for new construction, 4d would be considered only after other financing sources are exhausted and when financially beneficial to the city. Staff noted the City Council approved the policy on June 9, and the HRA was asked to ratify and apply it when making financial decisions that could enable 4d eligibility, with such decisions also subject to City Council consideration. The HRA expressed appreciation for staff’s work developing and explaining the 4d (1) policy and supported its limited use as a tool of last resort, with greater emphasis on preservation than new construction. The HRA noted that the policy provides a reasonable baseline and flexibility while balancing affordable housing goals with impacts on the city’s tax base, and emphasized that the HRA and City Council will ultimately be responsible for applying the policy and making final decisions. MOTION: made by Supple, seconded by Hayford Oleary, to adopt a resolution ratifying a policy governing the use of 4D1 tax classification to help create and preserve affordable housing. ## Voting Aye: Hayford Oleary, Supple, Hanson, Young, and Stursa Motion carried: 5-0 12. ## Executive Director’s Report Executive Director Poehlman provided updates on the Bring It Home program, noting that applications and school-to-housing referrals are being reviewed, with a waiting list expected to be established soon, and the first vouchers/payments anticipated by September 1. Executive Director Poehlman noted the application period is expected to reopen in September, with an anticipated issuance of 5–10 vouchers per month. Executive Director Poehlman noted Richfield’s certified 2026 local affordable housing aid allocation is $699,000, a small increase from $653,000 in 2025, and based on cost-burdened households and 2024 American Community Survey data. 13. ## HRA Discussion Items No discussion items. 14. ## Approval of Claims ## U.S. BANK X/XX/2026 HRA Check #’s 37397-37408 $000,000.00 Section 8 Check #’s 137799-137876 $000,000.00 ## TOTAL: $000,000.00 MOTION: made by Commissioner Hayford Oleary, seconded by Stursa to approve the claims as presented. Voting Aye: Hayford Oleary, Supple, Hanson, Young, and Stursa. Motion carried: 5:0 15. ## Adjournment The Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting adjourned with unanimous consent at 7:13 p.m. ## Date Approved: August 17, 2026 ___________________________________________Gordon ## Hannson ## HRA Chair ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Michelle Friedrich Melissa Poehlman City Clerk Executive Director