Posted: 5/24/05
Board hears about Semcacís community development program, HRA
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Houston County fifth district commissioner Tom Bjerke would like to Semcac work on improving its housing image.
Bjerke made the suggestion to Wayne Stenberg, Semcacís community development director, at the May 17 county board meeting.
Stenberg was at the meeting to give an update on community development programs and the the Bluff Country Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA).
Bjerke said that people have the perception that Semcac builds ìshacksî for low-income people. He said he has heard at the coffee shops in Spring Grove that people are worried about three lots that Semcac will be developing in a 17-lot subdivision being built in the city.
Bjerke suggested that Stenberg put ads in papers getting the word out that the Semcac houses will not be of poor quality.
Stenberg said he will be doing a marketing program, with newsletters and a power-point presentation. ìHopefully in the next year weíll be getting out there,î he said.
Bluff Country HRA gives first-time homeowners a chance to buy new or pre-existing homes. The state will invest $383,082 in its Minnesota Cities Participation Program in Houston County this year, Stenberg told The Argus on May 18.
Semcacís community development department does rental rehabilitation, zero percent deferred loans, and five percent community fix-up fund loans.
People can get information on the programs at the website www.semcac.org, or by calling Stenberg at 507-864-7741.
Stenberg also asked the board to be considered in its budget. ìWe want to be fiscally sound in our own way,î he said. He said he inherited a deficit when he took over six months ago.
Bluff Country HRA was formed in 1991 to serve Fillmore and Houston Counties. The HRA is administered by Semcac Community Development. The HRA has a board that is made up of four board members. Tom Falbo of Spring Grove is the Houston County representative.
Drop site report
In other county board news, environmental services director Rick Frank gave commissioners a first quarter drop site report. Income was up by $13,938 compared to last year, which Frank attributed to a 50 cent per month increase in the monthly household fee to county residents that went into effect in January.
Expenses were up by $9,256, with most of that coming from labor costs from the extended hours at the drop sites.
Several commissioners said they have had good feedback on the new drop site hours. Houston is open Mondays; Hokah Tuesdays; Caledonia and Spring Grove Wednesdays; and La Crescent Thursdays, all from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. They are all open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. ìThe public is using them quite well,î Frank said.
Disposal of electronic waste cost $2,417 for the first quarter. This is a new expense due to a new requirement in Minnesota law on disposal of electronic items. They are taken to a recycling company in Holmen, Wisconsin.
ìLead, donít followî
Commissioner Ann Thompson recapped a conversation she had with Minnesota State District 31B Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) about two legislative proposals: a property tax freeze and the turbo-charged reverse referendum legislation.
Davids indicated that he would have to vote for one or other, Thompson said, and was looking for feedback.
ìLead, donít follow,î Kevin Kelleher responded. He didnít think legislators should have to choose between the two options.
Larry Graf said that Davids had asked him which he would rather have. ìI said neither,î Graf recalled.
People want good services but complain that they donít want a tax increase, commisioner Dave Corcoran said.
The governorís alternative to a gas tax increase is to bond for it, Kelleher said, adding that he did not approve of that.
ìRoads are shot by the time youíve got it paid for,î Graf agreed.
Kelleher then made a motion supporting the Ron Erhardt gas tax bill. Erhardtís amendment adds the gas tax increase to the transportation funding bill, plus offers a big increase in new public transit spending.
ìItís the best weíre going to be able to do this year,î Kelleher said.
Corcoran said they should add to the letter, ìWhy donít you guys learn how to lead a little bit.î The motion passed.
ï Jail update: The board spent the afternoon interviewing three firmsñtwo architects and a jail consultantñfor its jail planning position.
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