HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-02 City Council_Work_Session_Minutes
MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
VIRTUAL MEETING
JUNE 2, 2020
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Members Anderson, Brindle, Fischer and Staunton and Mayor Hovland.
Staff present: Scott Neal, City Manager; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Ryan Browning, IT
Director; Stephanie Hawkinson, Affordable Housing Development Manager; Cary Teague, Community
Development Director; Don Uram, Finance Director; Kris Aaker, Assistant Planner; Jennifer Garske, Executive
Assistant; Sharon Allison, City Clerk.
JOINT MEETING: EDINA HOUSING FOUNDATION (EHF)
Affordable Housing Development Manager Stephanie Hawkinson updated the Council on Affordable Housing
Programs, “Stay At Home, in Edina” and 4040 W. 70th Street.
Affordable Housing Programs
Hawkinson explained that the City has an opportunity purchase a lot to develop as a single-family home for a
family in the 80-100 percent area median income ($120,000) and selling it to EHF for $1.00. Hawkinson said
housing analysis in Edina showed the average tear-down was valued at $421,000 while the purchase price for the
rebuilt was $1.2M, and a study by Maxfield showed that there was a demand for entry level homes. Next steps
included vacating right-of-way, platting the lot, selecting a developer, community feedback, design to
complement the neighborhood, etc. Staff answered questions of the Council. Council offered support for
purchasing the lot.
“Stay Home in Edina” Forbearance Program
EHF member Mary Kay McNee explained that this new program was designed to help homeowners in the
Come Home 2 Edina program who are facing financial difficulties that affect their ability to pay their monthly
mortgage because of COVID-19. McNee discussed guidelines of the program which included a maximum loan of
$15,000, current on mortgage payment prior to forbearance, etc. The program will be extended to other
homeowners. Staff and McNee answered questions of the Council. Council offered support for the program.
4040 W. 70th Street
Hawkinson explained that the EHF was the owner of 4040 W. 70 Street and that it would be developed into
affordable senior housing using the same process that was used for Amundson Flats, with plans to select a
developer later this year. Hawkinson added that Amundson Flats was fully funded, and closing was scheduled for
June or July.
SINGLE-FAMILY OWNERSHIP PROGRAM
Hawkinson stated that West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust (WHAHLT) preserves affordable
homeownership opportunities; however, homeownership in Edina has not increased in 16 years. She explained
that all of Edina’s block grant fund, typically $120,000, was awarded to WHAHLT, however, this was not enough
because the funds are combined and distributed to all of Hennepin County and WHAHLT has a waiting list for
homes. Hawkinson recommended a grant fund of $1.3M for the purpose of providing long term affordable
ownership opportunities to preserve homeownership by partnering with WHAHLT to acquire, rehab and sell
the homes to eligible homeowners. She discussed the goals of the program which preserves long term
affordability with access to a line of credit in a revolving loan, sources and uses of the funds, and program
process. Hawkinson said this program would help those in the 50-80 percent of area median income. Staff
answered questions of Council. Council offered support for the program.
SINGLE-FAMILY RENTER PROGRAM
Hawkinson explained that there was a need for apartments larger than 2-bedrooms and single-family houses
better meets the needs of larger household. She recommended using Southdale 2 TIF funds to purchase single-
family homes and partner with Metro HRA to rent and manage maintenance. Terri Smith, Metro HRA, explained
that they contract with a management company to manage daily operation and maintenance of 150 sites across
the metro area and that they have a waiting list. Staff will continue discussion with Metro HRA and report back
in late summer. Hawkinson said this program would help those below 50 percent of area median income. Staff
answered questions of Council. Council offered support for the program.
EHF members present Jeff Huggett, Mary Kay McNee, Jerry Gilligan, and Bernadette Hornig.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Sharon Allison, City Clerk
Minutes approved by the Edina City Council June 16, 2020.
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James B. Hovland, Mayor