Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OWATONNA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING on October 28, 2020 The regular meeting of the Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 4:00 pm on Microsoft Teams by Chairman Schnitzler. Housing Manager Ghassan Madkour read a statement to allow for the meeting to be conducted by telephonic or electronic means and all votes will be roll call votes. Members present were Jerry Atkinson, Cate Schnitzler, Vicki Olivo, Shari Kropp, and John Hole (4:17 pm). Also present were Housing Manager Ghassan Madkour and Administrative Technician Kristen Kopp. Approval of the Minutes: Chairman Schnitzler called for a motion to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2020 meeting. A motion was made by Kropp and seconded by Atkinson to approve the minutes. Commissioners voting Aye: Atkinson, Kropp, Olivo, and Schnitzler. 4-0, motion carried. Old Business: The Housing Choice Voucher program monthly report was presented by Madkour, including the City of Owatonna monthly balance sheet and revenue/expense report. Program utilization: the Housing Voucher program for September totaled 105. Total year to date assistance and administration costs were $518,836.66 and revenues were $528,431.27. The Housing Choice Voucher Program fund balance at September month end is $76,419.91. Madkour provided City of Owatonna HRA monthly balance sheet and revenue/expense reports for the HRA General Fund including the Bridges Programs. The HRA Revenues year to date total is $409,968.14 and the expenses total $481,248.36. The HRA General Fund balance is $315,083.75. Madkour gave an update on the Housing Choice Voucher program. He said he hasn’t issued any new vouchers for either program as of now, but that may change as he finally received Olmsted County’s numbers. Depending on the numbers, he may be able to issue vouchers to Houston and Fillmore Counties. There is one port in from Puerto Rico, who would lease up December 1st. There is one port out going to St. Cloud on December 1st. Otherwise the ports are quiet. He gave an update on end of participation. They had two—one Bridges client ended participation the end of September and one the end of this month. The gentleman who was done the end of September had a chance to come back. He was on probation and unfortunately had an arrest three weeks ago. The other one just chose to come off. He said he didn’t know why, but gave her ample chances. On the Section 8 side, there were two for the end of September and one as of the end of October. One he had to terminate because the boyfriend had a felony charge in Wisconsin and they found abuse of the system for many years. She’s coming off the end of October. She had notice the middle of September. Schnitzler asked when folk’s vouchers end, how does that work with certain restrictions on evicting during the pandemic. Will those landlords face repercussions? Madkour said he’s not as concerned about the client who’s ending the end of October. (More info??) He said it needs to be simple. We have a contract with the landlord and they have to keep the place up. We have a contract with the tenant, and the tenant has the lease with the landlord. He said he doesn’t get involved with that. He said that he did have people come in from across the street to voice opinion after he found out about the client. A motion was made by Kropp and seconded by Olivo to approve the reports as presented. Commissioners voting Aye: Atkinson, Hole, Kropp, Olivo, and Schnitzler. 5-0, motion carried. New Business: Madkour said that he’s been meeting with South Central Human Relation Center. They just received a grant specifically for people who are homeless and between the ages of 18 and 61. They can use it one of two ways: vouchers for hotels for up to three weeks or as a voucher for a regular living situation for a maximum of three months. He sent an email to landlords to let them know that it is available. This is a State grant, not a federal grant. SEMCAC sent a State grant update. As of last Thursday, the grant is about 50% spent out. 300 applications are in process for all seven regions that they serve, and 90% of those are for Steele County. Statewide there are 32,000 applicants in the system, but may include duplicates. The need has far surpassed what was expected. What doesn’t get used by the end of December goes back to the State. Madkour said he’s still waiting for the 40 vouchers from HUD to come in. This is designed for the homeless population. We would be working through SEMCAC and SCHRC, who know the homeless population. In Owatonna, that number is around 300 people, and through these vouchers, we’d be able to help some of them out. He said that most of the 300 are currently living with friends and family. He said the 40 vouchers are permanent, but are not a part of our HVC—they are completely separate. Madkour asked the Commissioners if the November and December meeting dates will work for them as the November date is the week of Thanksgiving and the December date is the Monday after Christmas. They all agreed that those dates would work. Adjournment: There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Olivo, seconded by Atkinson. Commissioners voting Aye: Atkinson, Hole, Kropp, Olivo, and Schnitzler. 5-0, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 4:34 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Ghassan Madkour Housing Manager