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219 <br /> <br /> The owner of the property at 613 Hinton Avenue stated <br />that management of rental property is very difficult, that <br />it is hard to compete with the City and he wants to sell the <br />property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fran Lawrence, a resident of the Woolen Mills <br />neighborhood, a former participant in the City's <br />Housing Forum, and a member of the CDBG Task Force, stated <br />that he felt it was important to know what the appropriate <br />relationship of renter versus owner property is in the City <br />before the amount of rental property increases. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck questioned whether Mr. Lawrence would support <br />the housing sites in those cases where the properties are <br />currently rental property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lawrence replied that he was concerned with those <br />units which have the potential for becoming owner-occupied <br />and he felt transition to owner-occupied in the future would <br />be positive. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Conover stated that while the plan provides <br />needed housing, he was concerned that the units are actually <br />purchased by the federal government and managed by the City <br />and therefore the City is restricted in its ability to <br />promote local policy. <br /> <br /> Ms. Charlotte Sherman, 408 E. Market Street, former <br />president of the Venable Neighborhood Association, stated <br />that the Venable Neighborhood Association Board voted to <br />support the program because of the condition of the house in <br />the Venable neighborhood which is proposed to be purchased <br />by the Authority. <br /> <br /> Ms. Priscilla Whiting, President of the local NAACP, <br />stated that the NAACP is pleased that the City is taking the <br />initiative to improve housing in the City and she requested <br />that persons in the private sector join the City in this <br />effort. Ms. Whiting also stated that she felt the City will <br />be a good landlord. <br /> <br /> As there were no other speakers, the public hearing was <br />closed. · <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck'questioned whether it would be possible to <br />sell the units in the future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Louie Chapman, Assistant City Manager, stated that <br />HUD has said they~will consider converting the units into <br />owner-occupied at some future date. <br /> <br /> Mr. Barne stated that he was concerned with the <br />inflated prices of some of the units. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gene Arrington~ Deputy Executive Director of the <br />Housing Authroity, stated that HUD requires that a qualified <br />appraiser appraise the properties, that these appraisals be <br />reviewed by a second appraise~r, and th'at the purchase price <br />must represent the fair market value for the properties. <br /> Dr. Hall questioned whether the Council will have final <br />approval of the price offered for the properties. <br /> <br /> Mr. Arrington stated that Council will have an <br />opportunity to review the price offered. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe questioned how the CityJs requirements <br />and standards of enforcement regarding weeds, etc. compare <br />with other cities and whether new regul'ations should be <br />introduced. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix replied that the City's procedures <br /> <br /> <br />