Housing & Redevelopment Authority

HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE Monday, February 03, 2025 4:45 PM SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 4:46 p.m. by Community Development Director Forney. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Members present: Connie Buesgens; Laurel Deneen; Rachel James; Amáda Márquez Simula Staff present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Mitchell Forney, Community Development Director; Sarah LaVoie, Administrative Assistant; Emilie Voight, Community Development Coordinator AGENDA ITEMS 1. Election of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Officers Director Forney reported that the original purpose of the HRA was to oversee the operation and management of a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supported multifamily rental housing facility known as Parkview Villa North and South. On September 28th, 2015, the HRA officially sold Parkview Villa North and South to Aeon, a non-profit housing organization. Forney explained that since Parkview Villa North and South were the last two properties owned by the HRA, the HRA adopted amended operational bylaws in 2016 to no longer hold regularly scheduled meetings. At the same time, the HRA delegated all housing and redevelopment duties to the EDA. Due to ongoing audit and reporting requirements mandated by HUD, the HRA is required to remain an entity even though it no longer owns or operates any property. Pursuant to the bylaws of the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority (the “HRA”), officers are required to be elected annually. Director Forney reminded the meeting attendees that the 2024 HRA officers were as follows: - Chair – Rachel James - Vice Chair – Justice Spriggs - Secretary-Treasurer – Connie Buesgens Director Forney outlined the election process and that in order for an HRA Commissioner to be considered for an officer position, they must be nominated by another Commissioner or by themself. 1. Chair City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 03, 2025 Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 2 a. Please provide all nominations for Chair of the HRA. b. Vote individually for each nominated member. c. The member with the most votes is declared the Chair of the HRA by the Executive Director. 2. Vice Chair a. Please provide all nominations for Vice Chair of the HRA. b. Vote individually for each nominated member. c. The member with the most votes is declared the Vice Chair of the HRA by the Executive Director. 3. Secretary-Treasurer a. Please provide all nominations for the Secretary-Treasurer of the HRA. b. Vote individually for each nominated member. c. The member with the most votes is declared the Secretary-Treasurer of the HRA by the Executive Director. Questions/Comments from Members: Director Forney asked for nominations for Chair of the HRA. Rachel James nominated Laurel Deneen for Chair. Motion by James, seconded by Buesgens, to elect Laurel Deneen as Chair of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Director Forney asked for nominations for Vice Chair of the HRA. Rachel James nominated Amáda Márquez Simula for Vice Chair. Motion by Buesgens, seconded by Deneen, to elect Amáda Márquez Simula as Vice Chair of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Director Forney asked for nominations for Secretary-Treasurer of the HRA. Connie Buesgens nominated Justice Spriggs for Secretary-Treasurer. Motion by James, seconded by Deneen, to elect Justice Spriggs as Secretary-Treasurer of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. 2025 HRA Officers are as follows: Laurel Deneen is Chair Amáda Márquez Simula is Vice Chair Justice Spriggs is Secretary-Treasurer City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 03, 2025 Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 3 2. Approval of HRA Meeting Minutes for January 22nd, 2024 Motion by James, seconded by Buesgens, to approve the HRA Meeting Minutes for January 22 nd, 2024. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Deneen, seconded by James, to adjourn the meeting at 4:52 p.m. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Respectfully submitted, Emilie Voight Community Development Coordinator