Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 11/03/1994AFFORDABLE NOISING BOARD MEETING MINUTES November 3, 1994 The meeting of the Affordable Housing Board began at 4:07 P.M. in the Community Planning Conference Room, 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. AHB members present were Chairperson Mary Cosgrove, Craig Welling, Tom Sibbald, Ann Sanders, Christa Sarrazin, Robert Browning, Susan Nabors, and Joanne Greer. Staff members present were Ken Waido and Mike Ludwig. A. Citizen Comments Betty Maloney introduced herself as co-chair of the Larimer County Affordable Housing Task Force and talked about coordinating efforts between TF and AHB. B. Minutes Tom Sibbald would like to see a copy of the letter to the AHB sent the Council regarding funding for 1995. Mary Cosgrove talked about sending another (second) letter which would contain stronger statements for funding. Moved by Craig Welling, seconded by Christa Sarrazin to approve the minutes. Motion passed "unanimously, 6-0. C. Discussion with Utilities Staff Rich Shannon, Mike Smith, and Wendy Williams, presented some background information. Tom Sibbald suggested a 45 minute time limit for this item. Rich Shannon indicated that utilities impact affordable housing two ways: 1. Plant investment 2. Rates for services The utilities are operated as a City -owned business and therefore is governed by the Charter, Codes, etc. - These indicate the cost of service should be allocated equally across the various systems. Utility Departments pay the City for "overhead" services. Certain relief of costs, for example for economic development, are possible however, the City Attorney has rules the General Fund must reimbursement the Utility any "lost" fees. Rates are determined by consumption, thus more consumption directly impacts the size of bills. The City Council determines rate levels. Tom Sibbald indicated he believed Utilities impact affordable housing three ways: 1. Fees 2. Rates 3. Development Standards The Mini -Task Forces talked with utilities about their impacts. We need to look at the issues again. Mr. Sibbald raised the question that if fees/rates exceed costs, what happens to the excess? Mr. Shannon's response was that the excess funds stay with the "business". The City has policies regarding the amount reserves allowed. Reserves are basically used for capital projects. Mr. Sibbald raised the concern if the money goes into reserves it would never be returned to the rate payers. Mr. Sibbald also asked if the reserves were the only source for capital projects. Mr. Smith's answer was no, some debt financing is also used. Mr. Smith discussed the cycle of impacts of how rates AHB Minutes November 3, 1994 Page 2 influenced the amount of reserves, which influenced the operational budget, which rates, etc. Mr. Browning asked about budgeting for capital projects. Mr. Smith responded that the City likes to pay cash if it can. However, larger projects $10-S20M require bonds. If net income drops, rates need to be increased. Tom Sibbald: One part of the Affordable Housing Policy indicates the developers should fill vacancies on utility boards. He asked if any have been recruited. Mr. Smith discussed their history of difficulties with recruitment and there are currently no builders/developers on Boards. Ann Sanders suggested the AHB converse with Council on this issue. Tom Sibbald asked if the time -payment of connection fees could be discussed. Mr. Smith indicated the City Code only allows for "hardship" cases with regard to water service. Mr. Shannon talked about time -payments for economic development which were not approved by Council and indicated the Utilities staff would support time -payments for affordable housing. .Any change in policy would need to be approved by the Council. Craig Welling pointed out there would be no Amendment I issues because of utilities operate as an enterprise fund. Susan Nabors thought that if the Utility Departments support the concept, it would likely be adopted by the Council. Tom Sibbald asked about Storm Water and Light and Power utilities. Mr. Shannon stated they would investigate what possibilities may exist with them. Mike Smith updated the AHB on some actions being done by the utilities: I. Metering of waste water rates, only for single family and duplexes. 2. Redoing the P.I.F. structure. 3. Rate increases - 5.0% Tom Sibbald asked why not have PIF's based on the number of fixtures. Mr. Smith: indicated that could be possible. Craig Welling asked about CSU's relatively higher rate increases and was told they were "catching -up" from lower rates in the past. The AHB then discussed the establishment of a sub -committee to talk about development standards. D. Fire Code Changes Mike Pretz, Firm Marshall, discussed the proposed code changes and classifications. Class A indicates fire resistant, will not burn. Classes B & C indicates fire retardant, but will burn. Affordable housing would be in Classes B or C. Tom Sibbald asked if R-1 structures are included and is the requirement for Class A applied to multi -family structures. Mr. Pretz answered "No" to the R-1 questions and "Yes for the multi -family question. The initial draft did not include multi -family. There was a willingness to change. Tom Sibbald stated the code changes were too restrictive, needs to be expanded AHB minutes November 3, 1994 Page 3 for multi -family. There was some discussion over costs regarding Class A roofs. Mary Cosgrove summarized that the AHB wanted to have all types of housing treated equally. Tom Sibbald again stated the changes should include multi -family; multi -family must have same options as single family. It was pointed out that the Code dictated the type of materials to be used, thus it will be more expensive to build housing. Mr. Pretz indicated he will include multi -family which received general satisfaction from the AHB. E. 1995 Budget The City's 1995 Budget adoption hearing will be held 11/15 (second reading). Tom Sibbald stated the AHB should take the position that the Planning Director position needs to be filled. There was further discussion on staffing needs. Tom Sibbald raised an issue regarding Utility billing and asked if Utility Billing charges correctly for switching service. They have stated they charge $15.00 for a $3.00 cost. It was decided to bring in a representative from Utility Billing Department to the January meeting. F. Work Program Discussion of Housing Authority will be on December Agenda. Ann Sanders has agreed to serve on the Citizens Committee for ES/WS design guidelines project. There was further discussion on CDBG Process and its effectiveness. G. other Business Staff passed out "Growth Management Goals" from the Chamber of Commerce. The AHB should review the paper and provide comments back to the Chamber. Ms. Nabors moved adjournment, seconded by Mr. Welling. Upon a unanimous vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 P.M.