HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Catalyst - Minutes - 03/17/2022
Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners
Minutes – March 17, 2022
I. Attendees
Commissioners: Cathy Mathis-Chair, Jennifer Wagner-Vice Chair, David Bye, Emily
Francis, Ann Green, Lizette Mill, Hep Wilkins
Staff: Julie Brewen, Michele Christensen, Justin Corey, Tonya Frammolino, Julie Francis,
Rachel Gaisford, Carly Johansson, Angelika Lintner, Traci McGraw, Nichole Rex, Nick
Verni-Lau
Guests: Attorney Jim Martell, Meaghan Overton (City of Fort Collins)
II. Call to Order
Chairperson Cathy Mathis called the meeting to order at 7:35 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 one minor revision, Commissioner Hep Wilkins moved to approve the minutes of
the March 17, 2022 meeting, Commissioner Ann Green seconded, and the motion
was passed unanimously.
VI. Action Items
a. Resolution Approving Moving to Work
Chief Operating Officer Michele Christensen provided an update on the Moving to Work
(MTW) contract. Housing Catalyst was recently selected as one of 29 Public Housing
Authorities (PHAs) to participate in the MTW demonstration expansion. The first step in
moving forward in this program is to complete and execute the MTW Annual
Contributions Contract (ACC) Amendment, which sets the terms of participation and
details requirements and covenants to be followed.
The next step will be for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to sign off, at which
point we become an official MTW organization. Housing Catalyst will begin by reviewing
the number of landlords currently participating, the geographical area for potential
housing, and the number of new landlords to potentially be recruited. These are items
already being tracked and reported by Housing Catalyst, which will be helpful with
moving forward. Ms. Brewen pointed out that we will begin with low hanging fruit to
make sure of success with each implementation and build from there.
Ms. Christensen noted that there is quite a bit of preparatory work to be done before
full implementation; it is expected that full implementation might occur by the end of
2022.
Staff recommends that the Board of Commissioners approve Resolution HC-RES-2022-
03-01 Approval of the Moving to Work Annual Contributions Contract.
Commissioner Jennifer Wagner moved to approve Resolution HC-RES-2022-03-01.
Commissioner Wilkins seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously
VII. Staff Updates
a. Development Report
Ms. Brewen noted that Development's 5-Year Project Plan and Milestones documents
are included as informational in the meeting packet.
1. Development 5-Year Project Plans (Mar 2022)
Ms. Brewen noted that the Development Committee has had discussions about
preserving the Fox Meadow apartments, located at the intersection of Timberline
and Horsetooth Roads, where 50% of the units are considered affordable under the
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Housing Catalyst has been
approached by developers for a potential partnership. One of the developers is in
the final and best offer round for selection. Housing Catalyst may be interested in
working with them if they can preserve the current affordable units and possibly
increase the number of units at 80% Annual Median Income (AMI).\
2. Development Milestones 2022-2023 (Mar 2022)
Manager of Real Estate Development Carly Johansson noted that the Swallow
renovation project continues to be about two weeks behind; however there has
been quite a bit of work done to gain more control and bring issues up to date.
3. Scope of Work for Village on Bryan Renovation
Senior Project Manager Nichole Rex gave a presentation describing the scope of
renovation work scheduled to be done at the Village on Bryan. She described the
benefits of the project, including increased accessibility and livability; preserving
existing affordable housing; and site and system upgrades which will reduce energy
consumption and lower utility and maintenance costs. She described the many
projects to be undertaken as a part of the scope of work and shared a diagram
indicating how the property will look once work is completed. Funding sources
include the City of Fort Collins and owner equity. Work on the property is expected
to begin in June of 2022 and be completed by May 2023.
a. Finance Report
1. Finance & Audit Committee Charter Update
Chief Financial Officer Tonya Frammolino provided an overview of the updated Audit &
Finance Committee Charter. The goal of the Charter is to define the size of the
Committee, how meetings will be structured, and the reporting requirements of the
Committee. Ms. Brewen stressed that there is an understanding that this document is a
bit aspirational, but it will help to provide an understanding of where the Committee is
going and how to get up to speed with its full responsibilities.
Ms. Frammolino outlined the Committee objectives, the flow of information through the
organization to the Board, and resources that are available to the Committee. She
discussed the criteria for Committee membership and meetings, record keeping and
reporting criteria, and the roles and responsibilities of the Committee.
The Audit & Finance Committee has done a full, detailed review of the Charter and is
now requesting that the full Board review the document. Appropriate additional
revisions will be made and the document finalized. The full final version of the Charter
will be presented at a future meeting of the Board for approval.
VIII. Legislative Issues/Updates
a. Colorado Legislative Update
Ms. Brewen noted that she will send out the Colorado bill tracker to Board members.
Several issues are being tracked.
b. National Legislative Update
Ms. Brewen reported that there will be an increase in HUD spending, including the
extension of the Violence Against Women Act. She will send information on the HUD
spending plan to Board members.
Ms. Brewen noted that she traveled to Washington DC last week for the NAHRO CEO
interviews. While there, participants received a briefing on some behind the scenes
activities. She noted that there is language in one particular bill that may make it easier
for Housing Catalyst to better utilize special purpose vouchers. NAHRO is watching
housing funding and legislation closely.
c. Fort Collins City Council Legislative and Business Update
City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis reported that City Council is busy
with the search for a new City Manager and will meet with candidates next week. She
also noted that the land use code update discussions continue and will go to City Council
in June for consideration.
Ms. Francis noted that City Council has begun discussions about electric vehicle stations
and requirements for parking spaces This is expected to be a big topic of conversation
which will continue in April. Discussions are ongoing about the impact any requirements
may have on housing. Ms. Francis noted that this is a significant learning curve for
Council members. She thanked Housing Catalyst staff for input and technical experience
on this topic.
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
Ms. Brewen noted that a Good News section will be added to Board of Commissioner
meeting agendas in order to point out and provide good news in the industry. This
section will be primarily informational.
XII. DISCUSSION TOPIC: Strategic Plan Goal 7 - Increase housing opportunities for residents of
Fort Collins/Larimer County
Ms. Brewen described the process for review and revision of the Strategic Plan that has
been taking place over the last several months. Beginning with this meeting, one Goal
from the Strategic Plan will be presented to the Board each month over the next several
months. A timeline for goal review was presented.
Ms. Christensen presented the Housing Assistance Programs department and its
organizational structure. She noted that much of this new Goal currently lives in Goal 2
in the current Strategic Plan, however there was discussion and a decision to expand
this into its own goal. She discussed the six proposed strategies to support this new
goal.
Participants were then split out into breakout rooms for discussion with staff. Each
breakout room included a subject matter expert acting as moderator, and a note taker.
When participants returned from the breakout rooms, the moderators from each room
provided a summary of the discussion. Room 1 - Ms. Brewen noted that this group
agreed that the goal looks good. It was agreed that there is a lot to learn on how the
strategies intersect. Room 2 - Ms. Christensen reported that this group in general likes
the strategies. One thing noted that may be missing is how to coordinate more organic
efforts around affordable housing. The group also discussed how the new web site will
be more user friendly. It was agreed that this is a very important goal. This group also
discussed ideas for the Housing Catalyst Moving to Work program. Room 3 - Ms. Lintner
noted that discussion in this group focused on Strategies 1 and 5 as well as possible
additions. A summary of this discussion will be provided at the next meeting of this
Board for acceptance of the Goal.
XIII. Adjournment
Chairperson Mathis adjourned the meeting at 9:26 am.