The meeting convened at 5:15. Hogate moved to approve the agenda as submitted; seconded by Howell; carried by unanimous vote. Hogate moved to approve the minutes as amended; seconded by Walden; carried by unanimous vote.

OFFICER'S REPORT/CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Kahoun reported on recent Council actions, including approving the restructuring of City boards and commissions; approving program changes for the Neighborhood Finance Corporation; approving the request for proposals for the Highland Park Streetscape project; and approving this year's CSBG contract. Council also appointed Kahoun and Larry Hulse to represent the City on the NFC Board, accepted the resignation of Bob Mickle from the NRB, and approved a carryover request for NCS.

Hogate distributed materials from the Manager's report at the Capital Improvements budget hearings and told the Board the Manager proposes to combine some neighborhoods under the Neighborhood-based Service Delivery program, expand the program in others, and add Chautauqua Park. Volm said she did not support the expansion, as she felt it would result in a deterioration of service. Walden did not support joining Martin Luther King Park Neighborhood with Capitol Park, because Capitol Park was ready to move to charter and MLK had not even had a turn at being designated.

Hogate asked Kahoun when the next neighborhood selection of new designated neighborhoods would occur. Kahoun said the results and recommendations of the neighborhood evaluation study done last May were still working their way through the Manager's office and Polk County, and selection couldn't proceed until some of the current neighborhoods were moved to charter status.

Dozier moved to send a letter requesting their recommendations be acted upon as the Board was ready to start the selection process; seconded by Nixon. Motion carried with Walden opposing.

The Board discussed the proposed raise in property taxes. Dozier said she heard it would average $75/household. Clark said an increased millage rate was proposed due to higher employee insurance costs and the City's debt levy. Dozier said this would only increase the tax disparity between Des Moines and the suburbs.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Board held elections for chair, vice chair, and secretary. King opened the floor for nominations for chair. Overman nominated King for chair, seconded by Walden. Volm nominated Overman, who declined. Hogate moved to cease nominations, seconded by Overman. King was declared the new chair.

King opened the floor for nominations for vice chair. Overman nominated Muldoon, seconded by Dozier. Volm nominated Nixon, seconded by Howell.

King opened the floor for nominations for secretary. Hogate nominated Overman; seconded by Walden. Overman nominated Nixon; seconded by Howell. Volm nominated Moisa, who declined.

COURT AVENUE STATION. Hauer and Clark gave the Board a presentation on the proposed use of a Section 108 loan to help finance the Court Avenue Entertainment Center. Clark said the project will cost approximately $51 million and will include a multiplex theater, Barnes and Noble bookstore, and a Gameworks arcade. It is anticipated that the loan will be repaid from project revenues, rather than future CDBG funds. Clark said staff was asking for the Board's input and would ask them for a recommendation within the next month.

The Board discussed the impact this loan would have if it needed to be repaid from CDBG funds, parking problems in the downtown area, use of TIF funds, the developer's reputation and other projects, and the potential tax revenue from the project. Walden asked that a requirement to hire area residents be put in the contract; Hauer said that was included in the 108 agreement. Howell asked if there was a limit to duplication of tenants; Clark said everybody involved with the project was aware that this wouldn't work if it was "just another strip mall." He said this developer customarily chose tenants that were very different from stores in the surrounding area and his other projects had been top-notch and quite successful.

Hogate moved to approve the funding concept; seconded by Howell.

GOVERNOR'S HOUSING TASK FORCE REPORT. Dodge gave a presentation on the Governor's Housing Task Force report. Dodge said the Task Force recommended as a priority the creation of a statewide housing trust fund, which would consolidate the efforts of dozens of small agencies and save administration costs by having it run by a state agency. Another priority was phasing in up to $23 million in housing funding per year using the real estate transfer tax (which would generate about $10 million per year) and $7.5 million in new appropriations.

Dodge and Carmichael said several issues were discussed by the Task Force, including Iowa ranking 47th in spending for housing, although it is in the top 25 of industrialized states; Minnesota's strong campaign for affordable housing and Iowa's need to do the same; accessibility standards not being implemented like they should; need for a land policy for smart growth, as well as one for housing; and barriers faced by immigrants. Carmichael said one point that became clear was that while urban housing needs are always discussed as being different from rural housing needs, in fact the two have virtually the same problems and potential solutions. Carmichael was concerned that there was no group or mechanism to carry out the recommendations of the Task Force now that the study is complete. She and Dodge urged the Board to carry the message to all groups they meet with, telling them to call and write their local legislators and ask for their support to get these recommendations implemented.

Nixon moved to write to Council recommending they write to the legislature and ask for the recommendations in this report to be implemented; seconded by Howell; carried with Dozier opposing.

NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. Kahoun reported that there would be a meeting on the 6th Avenue grocery store the next day at 6:30, and then it would go on to the Plan and Zoning Commission on February 15. Highland Park will be receiving transportation enhancement funding from the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the IDOT. Kahoun distributed the Neighborhood Update.

COMMITTEE/REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS. None

OTHER BUSINESS. Volm said the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association was celebrating its 10th anniversary February 13 and invited the Board to attend the celebration at Calvin Manor.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Jerry Overman, Secretary