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File #: RES 24-1456    Version: 1
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
In control: City Council
Final action: 10/9/2024
Title: Authorizing the City to approve an extension of an existing HOME loan for the Kimball Court housing project at 545 Snelling Avenue North. (District 11, Ward 4).
Sponsors: Mitra Jalali
Title
Authorizing the City to approve an extension of an existing HOME loan for the Kimball Court housing project at 545 Snelling Avenue North. (District 11, Ward 4).
Body
WHEREAS, the Kimball Court project is owned by 545 Snelling LLC, of which Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is the sole member to this entity (“Developer”);

WHEREAS, in May 2009, a HOME loan (“Existing Loan”) in the amount of $501,130.00 was issued to the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, owner of the Kimball Court project, to provide supportive rental housing for very low-income persons; and,

WHEREAS, in May 2010 the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation sold the Project to the Developer, at which time, the Developer assumed the HOME Loan Repayment Agreement, which has a maturity date of May 13, 2040 and is secured by a real estate mortgage; and

WHEREAS, the Developer requires an extension and revision of terms of the Existing Loan; and,

WHEREAS, under Resolution No. 24-1455 the City Council for the City of Saint Paul is expected to authorize the transfer of $3,350,000 from the ARPA 30% AMI Deeply Affordable Housing holding account to a project-specific account and authorize the City to loan $3,350,000 in ARPA SLFRF funds to Developer to finance a portion of the Project; and

WHEREAS, the HRA recommends that the City extend and revise the terms of the Existing Loan to be consistent with the new APRA SLFRF loan; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby:

1. Authorize the City to extend the term of the existing HOME Loan to be consistent with the new ARPA SLFRF loan.

2. Authorize the appropriate City officials to execute agreements and such other documents necessary to carry out this Resolution.

3. Authorize City staff to take all other actions necessary to carry out this Resolution.

4....

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Date NameDistrictOpinionCommentAction
10/8/2024 12:02 AMA local resident  Against I strongly oppose the extension of the HOME loan for Kimball Court. Ownership and management of the facility have failed to demonstrate the capabilities required to operate this specific facility in a way that ensures basic standards of safety and wellness for both its residents and the surrounding neighbors and businesses. The failures in this regard fundamentally undermine Beacon Interfaith’s stated mission of transforming lives with STABLE housing and have proven to be a net DETRIMENT to this community and neighborhood. Expansion of the property and services should be predicated by a demonstrated ability to provide a safe and secure environment for residents of both Kimball Court and the neighborhood for a sustained period of time - something that thus far has not happened.
10/7/2024 7:53 PMNeighbor Against I strongly oppose the extension of a HOME loan for Kimball Court. This property is intended to offer stable housing to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, yet the property management has failed to uphold even the most basic standards. Kimball Court and its surroundings have become a hotspot for drug use and criminal activity, with streets in either direction littered with needles, used condoms, cigarette ****s, and stolen property remnants. This neglect is not only damaging the area’s reputation but also severely impacting the well-being of nearby residents. Before considering any loan extensions, it’s essential to prioritize meaningful intervention to address and resolve the issues that are plaguing this community. +2
10/7/2024 3:18 PMAnonymous Against I visited Kimball Court resident a few months ago, midday, in a social service capacity. Resident reported, and I saw, ****roaches in piles of papers, every time resident moved most any possessions they scattered. It was a difficult situation to meet with someone vulnerable to say the least. Resident kept a tidy place, but ****roaches were OUT OF CONTROL. +1
10/7/2024 6:24 AMNearby Homeowner and Community Member Against Beacon's management of Kimball Court does not serve its residents or the neighborhood. Beacon has shown an inability to serve residents at the current facility or other facilities they operate. No one who could find a place elsewhere, or could afford it, would send a loved one to supportive housing at Kimball Court. The space itself is unsafe, and it is 2 blocks from one of the worst places for drug use and overdose in the city. Beacon only deals with concerns when they receive bad publicity, but they are almost completely unresponsive to concerns from residents and community members. They were fine having residents living in a building that needed 20K worth of internal graffiti removal and was nearly condemned. Surely the city can find another organization capable of providing better care for our most vulnerable neighbors. +2
10/6/2024 8:30 PM613 snelling ave n Against Kimball Court has demonstrated a consistent failure to effectively manage and ensure the safety of its current premises and residents. The property is in violation of applicable zoning regulations, and there have been multiple instances of negligence, resulting in harm to tenants due to inadequate building security, including do***ented cases of ***aults, robberies, and sexual ***aults on the premises. These ongoing deficiencies raise serious concerns regarding the facility’s capacity to responsibly manage an expansion. Given that Kimball Court operates with state and federal funds and serves vulnerable individuals, it must be held to the same legal and regulatory standards of care and security expected of comparable facilities, such as nursing homes or group homes. The proposed expansion would exacerbate existing issues, as the facility has failed to provide adequate care for its current residents. For these reasons, we urge you to vote against the proposed expansion. +3
10/6/2024 7:28 PMNeighbor  Against Until kimball court can demonstrate they can manage the existing property and tenants, they should not be allowed to expand. I have lived here for over 20 years and never encountered such blatant drug use. They are not staffing the property adequately and the neighborhood is suffering. +2
10/6/2024 5:47 PMNeighbor Against Considering this proposal is further evidence that St. Paul is turning its back on the Midway. Neighbors are not asking for much. We want an end to the open drug use (I encourage any of you reading this to drive by Kimball Court at night and count the drug users and see if you, like many neighbors, see Kimball Court's security guard hanging out with the drug users). We want Kimball Court to take the basic steps of picking up litter and holding residents accountable. We are being ignored and Council Person Jalali is well known for ignoring neighbors and not giving timely answers to our concerns. Let's have Kimball Court show for 6 months at least that they can have a spotless, safe property before any expansion is considered. +2
10/6/2024 1:57 PMAnonymous Against As a 30 year plus homeowner in this neighborhood, I am appalled that any kind of expansion of Kimball Court is on the table. They have failed at keeping their property safe. Kimball Court is a menace to our neighborhood with open drug use on the front steps. It’s a magnet for drug dealers and all the danger they bring. I demand that the illegal activity at this property be put to an end immediately. To think that the city of St Paul would be giving them my tax payer money to expand and further destroy the quality of life for this neighborhood is absurd. +3 -2
10/6/2024 11:37 AMAnonymous  Against Please do not allow this to happen. This property has been mismanaged and is not getting better. I will purposely cross the street to avoid walking near this property, as there is significant safety concerns. Please don't put more stress on the residents and businesses of this area. +2
10/6/2024 9:37 AM  Against This has to be some kind of sick joke. Take the the most irresponsible owners in the neighborhood and reward them with A HUGE PILE OF THEIR NEIGHBORS' MONEY to EXPAND THEIR ABILITY TO RUIN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. Brilliant. +1
10/6/2024 2:58 AMAnonymous neighbor  Against I strongly oppose the extension of the HOME loan or any funding whatsoever for the Kimball Court housing project under it's current ownership and management. It has failed to provide basic safety for its residents and hosts sales of illegal drugs on the property, having drawn an a large community of opioid users who purchase and consume openly on our streets, beginning with its front stoop. Kimball Court actively contributes to the destruction of the lives of many of the city's most vulnerable citizens and is a blight on the community. I am unable to share my name because I fear reprisal from the dealers. +3
10/5/2024 10:51 PMclaire press Against I am AGAINST granting tax exempt funding, and any funding or approval for the expansion of Kimball Court. I am a neighbor in proximity, a long term property owner and a senior citizen. It has safety issues for its residents and the neighbors and public. It has numerous complaints and police calls, over 100 so far this calendar year. These include public urination and deification, vandalism, theft, numerous police calls. It is a neighborhood nuisance property! There are condoms and needles around the property. It is not maintained nor managed by the owner Beacon Interfaith. It does not offer sufficient security which is a detriment to the safety of neighborhood and the residents. Beacon has not kept "in good faith" to rectify these issues! It is exploiting our neighborhood and the residents. There are questions re proper zoning. Vote NO and be receptive to your constituency! +2
10/4/2024 8:33 PMDr. Artika Tyner Against I strongly oppose the extension of the existing HOME loan for the Kimball Court housing project. The property is poorly managed and has become a significant nuisance, creating daily safety concerns for myself and my tenants. Rather than improving the situation, extending the loan will likely perpetuate the ongoing challenges, increasing the problems without addressing the underlying issues. Kimball Court should be closed, and no consideration should be given to extending the loan unless substantial improvements and changes to management are made to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. +1
10/4/2024 8:16 PMJennifer Hadley Against Kimball Court has caused tons of trouble for the Hamline Midway neighborhood and continues to do so. Beacon has mis-managed the property and its tenants and needs to show they can handle the number of tenants they already have before expanding. Living conditions inside are bad, and there needs to be another security guard. If they can't manage the current property, they really should not be allowed to expand. Plus, this part of the neighborhood is really, really struggling with drug users and homeless people. Why add more to the number we already have? Please do not support Kimball Court! +1