III.1. Approve Minutes of the December 5, 2023 regular meetingHOPKINS HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins Housing and
Redevelopment Authority was held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1st Street South.
Board Chairperson Hanlon called the meeting to order with Board Members Beck,
Hunke, Balan and Garrido attending. Others attending included Executive Director
Mornson, City Attorney Riggs and Public Housing Manager Mohamed.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Balan. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Hunke. Second by Balan.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Approve Minutes of the November 14, 2023 special meeting
2. Approve Disbursements through November 22, 2023
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Approval of the Amended Admission and Continued Occupancy Plan
Public Housing Manager Mohamed summarized HRA Report 2023-06. The United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires all Housing
Authorities nationwide with a public housing program to comply with the rules and
regulations under the Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act (HOTMA) no later
than January 1, 2025. The new rules will affect several standard operating procedures
of the public housing program at Dow Towers. This includes income reviews, how
incomes will be calculated and projected when determining rental rates, requiring
housing authorities to have a contingency plan for households who earn above the
maximum income level for more than 24 months, and setting a maximum asset limit and
exclusions from net family assets for the public housing program. The Admission and
Continued Occupancy plan (ACOP) will also expand the criteria for the federally
regulated Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to include individuals who are victims
of human trafficking. Mr. Mohamed also provided an overview of the new tenant-
landlord laws that affect public housing programs, which the Hopkins HRA had been
abiding by prior to the state regulations. These include notice before nonpayment
evictions, right to council for public housing residents and limitation of crime-free
ordinances. Board Member Balan requested more information on the instances that the
HRA is required to terminate a lease for crime-related activities and if there were
exceptions for medical marijuana. Mr. Mohamed and City Attorney Riggs confirmed that
although the state has decriminalized cannabis use, the federal government has not
and Housing Authorities are required to follow the federal regulations. Board
Chairperson Hanlon asked if residents are being informed of these rules. Mr. Mohamed
confirmed that residents of Dow Towers are reminded of these policies during their
yearly reexamination and upon initial lease signing.
Board Chair Hanlon opened the public hearing. No one from the public came forward to
speak.
Motion by Balan. Second by Hunke.
Motion to close the public hearing.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Approve the Amended Admission and Continued Occupancy Plan
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the HRA and upon a motion by Balan,
second by Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Courtney Pearsall, Administrative Assistant