DATE: January 28, 2020
TO: Members of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Janine Atchison, Housing Coordinator
Title
Housing & Redevelopment Authority Board Member Increase from Five to Seven Members
Body
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
The Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to consider adoption of HRA Resolution 2020-001 increasing HRA Board size from five (5) members to seven (7) members and approval of by-law change to that effect.
BACKGROUND:
The Northfield HRA was formed by resolution of the City Council on December 17, 1968, per Minnesota State Statute 469.003. Subdivision 5 of the statute allows the board to consist of up to seven (7) members. According to City records, the original HRA Board consisted of five (5) members. The HRA was not active for most of the 1980's but was reactivated by City Council on August 6, 1990.
ANALYSIS:
The HRA Board was first established in 1968 with five (5) Board Members. The population level in 1968 was approximately 10,000. At the time of HRA Board re-activation in 1990, population levels had risen to approximately 14,600. The current population is approximately 20,600 per census 2017 estimates, which is more than double the population at the time HRA Board was established. However, the size of the voting HRA Board has remained at five (5) members.
City boards and commissions have increased the number of board members over the years. Most boards have 8 or more members. In fact, 8.45 is the average number of members serving on other City boards and commissions, with only three boards having fewer than 8 members. Increasing the HRA Board to seven (7) members is consistent with state statutes and City practices.
Increasing the HRA Board size would broaden the participation from the community and would provide a more diverse perspective to inform HRA priorities and actions.
OPTIONS:
Minnesota State Statute 469.003 is silent on the minimum number of HRA Board Members required. The statute ...
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