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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD - MINUTES - 10/09/2024AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD REGULAR MEETING 10/3 /2024 – M I N U TE S Page 1 October 3, 2024, 4:00-6:00pm 215 N Mason St, Conference Room 2D CALL TO ORDER At 4:03 PM the meeting was called to order by John Singleton. 1. ROLL CALL • Board Members Present:  John Singleton, Chair  Bob Pawlikowski, Vice Chair  Kristin Fritz, Ex Officio  Stefanie Berganini  Josh Beard  Jorja Whyte • Board Members Excused:  Claire Bouchard  Liz Young-Winne • Staff Members Present: • Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Staff Liaison – City of Fort Collins • Tamra Leavenworth, Minutes • Guests Present: • Marilyn Heller • Carol Mahoney • Nina Clark • Lisa Cunningham • Kate Conley 2. AGENDA REVIEW – No changes. 3. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Marilyn Heller provided an update on the Loveland Affordable Housing Taskforce's opportunity to acquire the First Christian Church as a 24/7 homeless shelter. The proposal went to the Planning & Zoning Commission, where it was voted down 8-1. The taskforce hopes to resubmit the proposal later with adjusted zoning. Marilyn also shared that the League of Women Voters Affordable Housing team will host an information session on Sunday, October 20, focusing on ballot measures related to affordable housing. Carol Mahoney works in the City of Fort Collins’ Neighborhood Services department and her focus area is mobile home parks. After attending the Community Housing Summit, she decided she wanted to attend an Affordable Housing Board meeting due to her passion for affordable housing. Kate Conley, an architect specializing in affordable housing and a representative from YIMBY Fort AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD REGULAR MEETING 10/3 /2024 – M I N U TE S Page 2 Collins, is joining the Board to continue the discussion on parking minimums. Kate will be available to address any questions Board members may have when this topic is discussed later during Board Priority Committee Reports. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Stefanie Berganini motioned to approve the September 5 Regular Meeting Minutes. Bob Pawlikowski seconded. Approved 5-0. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Debrief Community Housing Summit • Sue Beck-Ferkiss expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the Community Housing Summit, with John Singleton commending City staff for their efforts in organizing the event. The Board highlighted successes of the event, including the diversity of attendees across age groups and housing status – such as renters and homeowners. They also discussed challenges, such as addressing equity concerns and the need for broader community education on affordable housing. A report from CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, which partnered with the City for the event, will soon be available, and Sue will share it with the Board once it’s released. b. Board Priority Committee Reports • Knowledge Repository – Bob Pawlikowski & John Singleton • Bob shared that he has been exploring strategies to enhance community awareness about United Way’s 211 service. John expressed interest in using polls on the Social Sustainability website and exploring social media outreach as potential methods. To determine formatting options for the Social Sustainability webpage, Bob and John plan to meet with City staff. They also proposed developing regular monthly social media content, which Board members supported. John encouraged each Board member to bring one idea for a potential post to the next meeting, where the Board will review and vote on them collectively. Sue will consult with the City’s Communications and Public Involvement Office to clarify guidelines on social media usage for Boards. • Outreach, Education and Partnerships – Claire Bouchard & Josh Beard • No updates. • Council and Local Legislative Support – Stefanie Berganini, John Singleton & Nina Clark • The subcommittee is discussing formulating a response to the Johnson v. Grants Pass Supreme Court decision, considering whether local action should be taken. Although Fort Collins does not plan to change its current approach, there is interest in formalizing existing practices to ensure future protection. Additionally, the Board officially designated equity and rights for mobile home residents as a priority topic. Initial research is underway on rights, protections, and taxation for these residents, with plans to meet with Carol Mahoney from Neighborhood Services to further develop ideas. • The Board discussed YIMBY Fort Collins' initiative to eliminate parking minimums. They AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD REGULAR MEETING 10/3 /2024 – M I N U TE S Page 3 recognized potential benefits, such as increasing housing availability by utilizing space around commercial properties. However, they also raised concerns about equity and the impact on college students, especially following the overturning of U+2. The Board ultimately agreed that addressing parking issues falls within their purview and expressed general support for the initiative. Stefanie will compile the Board's feedback, draft a letter using the subcommittee’s template, and present it at the November meeting for review and voting. • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Affordable Housing – Stefanie Berganini & Jorja Whyte • No updates. 6. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • Jorja Whyte reported that the ASCSU Housing Caucus will hold a strategy meeting on Friday, October 4, to establish priorities for the remainder of the year. They continue to focus on Prospect Plaza, a student-oriented housing development that offers the lowest rent in Fort Collins. Additionally, the Caucus is working on an affordability report and ASCSU as a whole would is interested in working on a renters' rights bill with the Colorado Legislature. a. Meeting Logistics • The Board will continue to have hybrid meetings for the remainder of 2024. b. Liaison Reports • None. 7. OTHER BUSINESS None. 8. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:01 PM.