The Jan. 20 article about the Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) focused on a few points of the Jan. 19 board meeting. Matt Peterson noted in his report we are, “not yet sure if we need a full-time executive director,” and discussion has focused on this position for several months.

Mr. Peterson’s article mentions my statement of some weeks ago to the Austin City Council. My concern was directed to the part-time HRA Director Jim Hurm, who, in his eight years of service to the Austin Community, has sought jobs/positions outside of Austin. My knowledge of this is with some questions: How is future planning accomplished while working with a director who may be seeking employment in other communities? I state this while working with nearly all fairly new board members who wish to “move forward,” as Peterson has noted. We are, indeed, in transition.

With my personal confidence in Mr. Hurm’s abilities, I share questions of the appropriateness of one person, Jim Hurm, serving as the main leader of the major redevelopment agencies of our city. He is part-time city administrator, executive director of the Port Authority, the principal authority with the Main Street Project, relationships to flood control personnel, chief negotiator with the eight unions representing city employees, dialoguing with the Mower Country HRA (which is separate from the city HRA), and guiding HRA funding that goes to the Development Corporation of Austin (DCA).

The developing needs and future goals of the Austin HRA may require a full-time director. All Minnesota cities with populations the size of Austin or even smaller note the workloads that necessitate broad management positions. Presently the Austin HRA serves more residents than any comparable community.

Future conversations will indicate the basis upon which management needs are decided. Thank you!

 

Marv Repinski
HRA Chairman