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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 08/04/1994-r AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 4, 1994 The meeting of the Affordable Housing Board began at 4:10 p.m. in the Community Planning Conference Room, 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. AHB members present were Chairperson Mary Cosgrove, Tom Sibbald, Robert Browning, Christa Sarrazin, Susan Nabors, and Joanne Greer. Also present were: Gina Janett, Council Member; Stephen Roy, City Attorney; Ron Phillips, Planning Director; and Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson, from the Employee Development Department. Staff member present was Mike Ludwig. Public comment was heard. A suggestion was made for development of a partnership housing development guidance system that would parallel the Land Development Guidance System. The goal would be to award points for needed housing systems and to avoid the RFP process. Massachusetts and San Francisco were pointed out as areas that have like programs in place. Moved by Ms. Nabors, seconded by Mr. Browning: To approve the minutes of April 7, 1994, and July 7, 1994. Discussion was held. Moved by Mr. Sibbald, seconded by Ms. Sarrazin: To amend the term "decrease of median income" to be reflected as 'lower percentages of median income'; and to change the words "a grant program not become a loan program" to "a loan program not become a grant program." Motion to amend passed unanimously. Motion as amended passed unanimously. The San Cristo Development Project came before the Board for review under the affordable housing certification process for deferral of fees. After discussion, it was agreed that eligibility requirements for affordable housing should be: That the renter or buyer earn 80 percent or less of median income; and that the renter or pays no more than 30 percent of monthly income for housing and utilities. Ms. Stitzel outlined the following elements of the San Cristo project: Ten families at less than 50 percent of median income; Nonprofit; Very lean construction budget; Favorable bank terms; Mortgages of 30,000-55,000 on houses that would sell for 70,000 to 90,000 on the open market. Mr. Sibbald expressed his desire for a form filled out by occupants that would delineate qualification criteria for future use by the Housing Authority or other agencies. AHB Minutes August 4, 1994 Page 2 Moved by Ms. Nabors, seconded by Ms. Greer: That upon confirmation of documentation, the Board finds the San Cristo projects to be affordable housing as defined within the ordinance. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Roy made the following comments with regard to the meeting of the Ethics Review Board: The Ethics Review Board meeting did not result from an accusation or complaint but rather a question posed by staff; The Review Board is often called upon to render advisory opinions concerning real or hypothetical situations where a conflict of interest may arise and when a Board or Council member should declare a conflict of interest. Having a conflict is no problem as long as the appropriate disclosure statements are filed and the person with the conflict remains out of the decision - making process. Conflicts will necessarily occur from time to time, as members have other interests. The standard applied is whether, in the mind of a reasonably prudent person, a members independent judgment of a situation would be interfered with by reason of that members outside associations or interests. The Review Board has stated that Affordable Housing Board members with their own projects may participate in developing programs that may affect those projects; but those Board members should not participate in individual project funding decisions that affect them. Statements were made that a member should not participate in a funding decision if that members project was in competition within the same project category or for the same available funds. If a conflict does not become apparent until discussion is underway, the member with the conflict should then refrain from participation and file a disclosure statement after the fact. Mr. Phillips expressed a desire for clarification of issues and team building between staff and the Board at a future meeting. Statements were advanced by all members as to the pros and cons of such a session; their perceptions of the possibly divergent roles, expectations, and agendas of the Board and staff; and dissatisfaction with the progress by the Board and staff and lack of priority afforded to its goals. A general consensus was reached that a discussion session could be helpful. Ms. Jarboe -Simpson stated that the frustrations expressed by the Board were typical of other board experiences and were subject to some resolution. After discussion concerning scheduling, it was tentatively agreed to hold the meeting at August 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Discussion was held about the memo from Mr. Waido concerning the Board's decisions potentially being affected by Council's reworking of the City's comprehensive plan. The Board felt that a number of items can and should move AHB Minutes August 4, 1994 Page 3 forward without waiting for an ultimate plan by Council. The history of the RLM zoning was discussed. Moved by Mr. Sibbald, seconded by Mr. Browning: That the Board recommend to City Council to provide funding within the current fiscal year to the Planning Department to develop a dual -track of: update of the City's comprehensive plan; and the preparation of east sidetwest side neighbood design guidelines. Mr. Sibbald explained that the net effect of the motion would be that when design guidelines are written, the RLM zones would be renewed without waiting for the comprehensive plan to be updated, which would otherwise delay the preparation of the architectural guidelines that come forward. Motion approved unanimously. The Mercy Housing Project on Taft Hill Road was discussed. The potential for Amendment 1 problems was reviewed. Moved by Mr. Sibbald, seconded by Ms. Nabors: That Staff develop a plan of fee deferral Implementation for water and waste water by the October meeting of the Board. During discussion, Mr. Phillips stated that enforcement issues would be a part of the process handled by Staff. The motion is broad -brush and not specifically designed for the Mercy project. Motion approved unanimously. The following observations were made by Board members: That it would be inappropriate for the Board to act on projects that are outside the City limits; That Larimer County should become more active in participating in affordable housing projects to address that need within the county. Ms. Nabors moved adjournment, seconded by Ms Sarrazin. Upon a unanimous vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.