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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 09/07/2000CITY OF FORT COLLINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 7, 2000 Bob Browning; chair (970) 225-0137 Kay Rios, Vice Chair Ken Waido, Staff Liaison (970) 221-6753 Chuck Wanner, City Council Liaison (970) 484-0810 The meeting of the Affordable Housing Board was called to order by Kay Rios, at 4:30 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. A quorum was present. Board members present. Bruce Croissant, David Danforth, Isabel Garity, Stacy Overton, and Kay Rios Staff members Present. Ken Waido, Maurice Head, and Joe Frank Council liaison: Chuck Wanner was present but left early Others Present: Loya Hanger, observer; Craig Foreman, Parks Planning and Development Manager; Karen Gerard, Executive Director of Funding Partners for Housing Solutions; Julie Smith, HOME Program Administrator; Grace Harris, League of Women Voters, observer OPEN PUBLIC DISCUSSION None II. NEW BUSINESS Minutes Ms. Garity requested that the minutes from the August meeting be amended as follows: Page 7/Committee reports, to read: Education Committee will put efforts into two areas, maintaining the public website, and public meetings. Ms. Overton moved to amend the minutes as requested, Mr. Croissant seconded, the motion passed unanimously. Northern Hotel Renovation Proiect Ms. Rios commented that the project is an overwhelming undertaking and the number of people that are involved will be tremendous. Karen Gerard arrived at the meeting late but followed up with a report on the progress of the facility and addressed the following issues: She explained that the published timeline is for public record, but realistically there could be some delays. Affordable Housing Board September 7, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 2 Specific items of interest/concern include: 1. There will be 100-watt overhead fixtures installed in bedrooms and the lighting in hallways is overhead at this point and will be adequate for navigation. 2. Another HVAC problem exists. The hallways are air-conditioned and a positive pressure system is used to push cold air into units and they need to make sure this system will work properly. They are also looking into individual A/C units for third floor. 3. The facility, because of its age, has a huge amount of asbestos that needs to be removed. They have submitted a HOME Funds application for funding to remove the asbestos. It has become much more expensive than originally anticipated. 4. A parking variance has been received from the Zoning Board of Appeals, which will provide one space per unit. The spaces will come from either one or both downtown parking locations within 11/2 blocks from the building. At this time the parking will be an additional cost to each tenant, about $17/per month. 5. Rents will include utilities. The actual rent amounts will not be known until 2001 when the HUD median income figures are published. An estimate is as follows: one bedroom/one person, about $400. 6. A third party property manager will be hired. The Board asked about the process to identify the commercial tenants on the first floor. Each tenant will be selected based upon their financial and commercial success, not necessarily their "fit" with senior housing. 7. There are many rules when dealing with historical facades which affect a/c, electrical transformers, etc.. They will use the roof as much as possible, but will be limited because of safety concerns. There will be a large second floor common area for resident's use. Ms. Gerard explained that this is a very complicated project and it will be difficult to keep the budget under control. Everyone involved is committed to making it as nice as possible with the resources available. In the end, there are many conflicting interests and nobody will get 100% of what they want but they will try to incorporate as many suggestions as they can afford. The Board should follow up on the following concerns: • The parking garage is over 2 blocks away. • Concerns regarding high maintenance fees per unit and the development fees • The board wondered if rent is based upon 40% or 50% AMI. • Presently the project does not include overhead hallway lighting Craig Foreman, City of Fort Collins Dept. of Parks/Planning was present to report on the progress of the neighborhood park in the Dry Creek area. The first few units at the mobile Affordable Housing Board September 7, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 3 home park didn't pay park impact fees, but future units are paying fees. The park will be 1.5 acres, with a much larger community park further north by Anheuser Busch. The impact fees will raise about $300,000. About half of this amount will go towards the neighborhood park, the rest will go towards the community park. The City would like to have the park completed within 5-7 years, even if surrounding land is developed commercially. Application Fees for Rental Units Ms. Rios introduced this topic and explained that the average rental application fee is $40. CARE housing rebates that amount in first month's rent, but most private property managers do not. She was not sure the Board could do anything, but Ms. Rios would like to do more research. More importantly are the people that get funding from the City are charging the fee, which needs to be addressed. Ms. Rios will follow up on JFK Pkwy. Kaufman/Broad project. It was suggested that applicants only pay the $40 fee once for the credit report, and then make the credit report available to everyone. Perhaps Consumer Credit Counseling Company might be able to help. Sarah Allen is a possible contact person. The Board briefly discussed the process of awarding the submitted proposals for funding. The following points were made: • 15% of funds need to go to CHODO • HOME funded projects have to be site specific, although some of these projects don't know which land they want yet. HOME money cannot be used on a non site - specific application. • The AHB will meet on September 28th at 4:00 in order to develop a list of priorities for funding and make a list of any comments or questions for applicants. The board will also select a group to do a presentation to CDBG commission on October 7th Do the board members want to "champion" individual projects again? The group agreed it was a good idea to do that again. The following assignments were agreed upon: Kay Rios/Bruce Croissant — Volunteers of America Stacy Overton — Habitat for Humanity Isabel Garity — Funding Partners David Danforth — CARE Randy Rosenbusch — Land Acquisition Bob Browning — Fort Collins Housing corp. Affordable Housing Board September 7, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 4 III. OTHER BUSINESS 20-year affordability requirement: Mr. Waido reported that all affordability requirements remain intact in case of foreclosure Land Banking Program: Staff has received preliminary findings on land bank feasibility from the consultant, staff is reviewing. Will need some adjustments. The report will go to the land bank committee for their review and comment in mid -October. A study session with City Council is scheduled January 9tb. Manufactured housing market study project: Final report to be completed in October by the consultant. Subcommittee reports — Education Committee: Isabel talked with Doug Moore who has accepted a new job with the Natural Resources Department. The education committee will need to work with his replacement to continue work on website. Mr. Waido wants to draw attention to boards and commission recruitment. Two members' terms expire in December; Isabel & Bruce. Isabel has re -applied, Bruce is not going to re- apply but will help to recruit another qualified applicant. Chris Martin's spot is also open. All interested parties should contact the City Clerk's office for application. Mr. Danforth raised a concern regarding the attached chart of impact fees. Mr. Waido explained that raw water prices are extremely high within the water districts, but the City of Fort Collins purchases south ditch water, which is very cheap. Price is a function of geography. Outlying areas typically pay more. Ms. Garity stated she would like more flexibility within the point system for awarding money on funding applications. The AHB agreed that this could be accomplished with her personal recommendations. Isabel Garity moved to adjourn the meeting, Bruce Croissant seconded, meeting adjourned at 5:50 D.M. Respectfully submitted, Mary Beth Patrick