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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Catalyst - Minutes - 04/19/2022 Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners Minutes – April 19, 2022 I. Attendees Commissioners: Jennifer Wagner-Vice Chair, David Bye, Emily Francis, Ann Green, Lizette Mill, Hep Wilkins Staff: Julie Brewen, Esther Born, Michele Christensen, Justin Corey, Tonya Frammolino, Rachel Gaisford, Julie Francis, Kristin Fritz, Angelika Lintner, Traci McGraw, Preston Nakayama, Carri Ratazzi Guests: Attorney Jim Martell, Anne Nelsen (Development Committee Member), Meaghan Overton (City of Fort Collins) II. Call to Order Vice Chair Jennifer Wagner called the meeting to order at 7:32 am. III. Mindful Moment Chief Executive Officer Julie Brewen led the group in a Mindful Moment. IV. Citizen Input There was no citizen input. V. Approval of Minutes from March 17, 2022 Board Meeting With minor revisions, Commissioner Lizette Mill moved to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2022 meeting, Commissioner David Bye seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. VI. Action Items Resolution to Appoint Michele Christensen as Acting CEO Chief Executive Officer Julie Brewen noted that the purpose of this resolution is to appoint Chief Operating Officer Michele Christensen as Acting Chief Executive Officer during Ms. Brewen's sabbatical, including two weeks prior to and two weeks after the official sabbatical dates. With minor correction to the dates noted in the resolution, Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis moved to approve Resolution HC-RES- 2022-04-01. Commissioner Lizette Mill seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. Sabbatical Planning Ms. Brewen provided an update about the ongoing planning for her sabbatical. She noted that she shared the sabbatical planning tracker document with the Board Chair and Vice Chair at the agenda prep meeting. Members of the Executive Team expressed that they feel the process has been running smoothly. They feel that everything is under control and on track for a successful summer. The planning process has been a healthy one for Executive and Leadership Teams. On behalf of the Board, Vice Chair Wagner expressed their pride in Ms. Brewen and the Executive Team for its planning efforts. Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Public Housing Chief Real Estate Officer Kristin Fritz provided an update on the sale of 44 public housing units to Elevation Community Land Trust (ECLT). The previously-executed Purchase and Sale Agreement is attached to this meeting packet for reference and information. Under ECLT ownership, units will be rehabilitated and will continue to house individuals and families earning 80% of area median income (AMI) or below. Sale proceeds will support rehabilitation of existing affordable homes in the Housing Catalyst portfolio. The first closing is planned for the end of May. The total sale of 44 units is for $8.8 million ($200,000 per unit across the board). Elevation will make all units affordable for households at 80% AMI or below. The sale of units will occur in four tranches each approximately six months apart. Ms. Fritz noted that all units are being sold empty. She noted that all residents being relocated from these units during this process are eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher and will continue to receive assistance with their housing payments. The recommendation is for Board approval of Resolution HC-RES-2022-04-02 which ratifies the previously-executed Purchase and Sale Agreement between Housing and ECLT, authorizing the sale of 44 public housing units, and giving the CEO, COO, Chair, or Vice Chair authority to execute related closing documents. Commissioner Ann Green moved to approve Resolution HC-RES-2022-04-02. Commissioner Wilkins seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. VII. Staff Updates a. Development Report 1. Development 5-Year Project Plans (April 2022) Ms. Fritz provided an update on Oak 140. Construction on this project is 31% complete and the building is now at full height. The Swallow construction project is 68% complete. There are about 20 units remaining to be done. 2. Development Milestones 2022-2023 (April 2022) Ms. Fritz shared the Development 5-year project plans and updated the group on several projects. She noted that the 15 year compliance transition time is approaching for Village on Elizabeth and Village on Stanford. Refinancing needs will be tracked as that time gets closer. VIII. Legislative Issues/Updates a. Colorado Legislative Update Ms. Brewen reported that there were three bills that went through the State Legislature that will distribute funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for affordable housing. Housing Catalyst continues to look for opportunities on how to use funds being received as a result of these bills. b. National Legislative Update Ms. Brewen noted that April is Fair Housing Month. Housing Catalyst had a special presentation at its April All Staff meeting by an employee of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs. She also noted that Fort Collins City Council presented a proclamation in honor of Fair Housing Month. Ms. Brewen reported that Housing and Urban Development (HUD) came out with a statement on funding for which Housing Catalyst may be eligible. Ms. Christensen provided an update on Continuum of Care (CoC) funding announced by HUD. CoC is the planning body that determines how HUD funding flows to organizations that deal with people of homelessness. c. Fort Collins City Council Legislative and Business Update Commissioner Francis reported that the land use code updates are the only item on the upcoming Council agenda in June. The hope is for adoption of the new codes in the fall. IX. Legal Issues Attorney Jim Martell noted that there are no legal issues. X. Other Business/Upcoming Events a. Development Committee – April 4, 2022 b. Finance & Audit Committee – March 21, 2022 c. Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners – April 21, 2022 XI. Good News a. Housing Catalyst and Medicaid Billing Ms. Christensen provided an update on our ability now to bill Medicaid. This provides support for a clinician at Mason Place. After almost two years working towards this, Housing Catalyst has received the first reimbursement from Medicaid. The hope is to build out this program to include other services. XII. DISCUSSION TOPIC: Strategic Plan Goal 6 Establish Housing Catalyst as an employer of choice Ms. Brewen reminded Board members of the process for review and revision of the Strategic Plan and provided a reminder of the timeline to review goals over the next several months. As a follow up to last month's discussion of draft Goal 7, Ms. Brewen noted that no changes would be made to the goal; it will be a part of the full Strategic Plan to be presented to the Board in the fall. Input regarding the Moving to Work program will be included in the MTW planning process. Human Resources Director Angelika Lintner then introduced Goal 6: Establish Housing Catalyst as an employer of choice. Ms. Lintner described the goal in detail, stressing that the aim is for Housing Catalyst to be an employer of choice - an employer with whom people want to work; where current employees want to stay; and one with whom industry professionals want to work. Ms. Lintner went on to describe in detail each of the six strategies within the goal. In order to provide a better understanding of how this goal and its strategies evolved, Ms. Lintner and Ms. Brewen will put together a document describing some of the topics and data being researched and utilized, i.e., Mindfulness Meeting agendas, etc. Stressing that the goal be driven by data, Ms. Lintner noted that data has been collected through Employee Net Promoter Scores (eNPS); this data is collected from employee surveys and provides information on what needs to be done to support employees. There was discussion on diversity and how it is addressed at Housing Catalyst. Ms. Lintner stressed that data is limited as we are a company of under 100 employees and not required to gather data on ethnicity. Employees and potential employees are encouraged to provide this data, but many choose not to disclose this information. Employee education on this topic will include a speaker scheduled for an All Staff meeting in December; the focus is on building a positive culture. There was in-depth discussion on Housing Catalyst's hiring process, and how diversity and excellence are addressed. Ms. Lintner discussed the recruiting process, including assessments that candidates are requested to complete. Ms. Brewen addressed ongoing employee performance development noting that several teams have embraced coaching and training opportunities. As an example, she introduced Director of Asset Management and Property Operations Justin Corey who described the evolution of a process and model to develop and retain quality staff within his teams. He noted that this has become a part of the culture of the teams by setting expectations and continual honest feedback. Ms. Brewen also introduced Director of Housing Assistance Traci McGraw who noted that the eNPS data has been very helpful in addressing the needs of her team and individuals within the team. Ms. Brewen noted that recruitment and retaining strategies are being researched and piloted. For example, summer hours will be rolled out this summer for the second year. Through summer hours, employees may work 72 hours over a pay period while still being paid for 80 hours. In the summer of 2021, it was found that this did not affect productivity, and employees were motivated by the extra reward of time off. In many areas of the organization, new ways to be efficient were discovered. Ms. Lintner noted that many of the strategies are worded broadly on purpose, as specific activities will vary and change as time goes on. XIII. Adjournment Vice Chair Wagner adjourned the meeting at 9:50 am.