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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Catalyst - Minutes - 08/20/2020Minutes Housing Catalyst Board Meeting Thu August 20th, 2020 7:30am - 9:00am MDT Virtual Meeting via Zoom Attendees Commissioners: Nicole Staudinger, David Bye, Hep Wilkins, Ann Green, Emily Gorgol, Jennifer Wagner Staff: Julie Brewen, Duane Hopkins, Michele Christensen, Kristin Fritz, Traci McGraw, Carri Ratazzi, Brian Heckart, Josh Suppes, Kim Iwanski Attorney: Jim Martell Guest: Lindsay Ex Call to Order Chairperson Staudinger called the meeting to order at 7:33 a.m. Citizen Input There was no citizen input. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Wagner made a motion to approve the minutes from the board meeting on July 16, 2020. Commissioner Bye seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Action Items a. Resolution 20-13 Bond Carry Forward for 2020 Chief Financial Officer Duane Hopkins presented Resolution 20-13 Bond Carryforward Resolution (2020 Assignments). This action will induce and carry forward bond cap in the amount of $12 million. Upon approval, the resolution will be filed with the state and then the bond cap will be available for Housing Catalyst use for three years. Commissioner Wilkins made a motion to approve Resolution 20-13. Commissioner Bye seconded and the motion unanimously. Staff Updates a. COVID -19 Business Continuity Chief Executive Officer Julie Brewen noted that staff and offices continue to operate as they have for the last five months. Managers are working with staff to determine needs of those who are impacted by school operations. b. Development Updates Chief Real Estate Officer Kristin Fritz presented an overview of the development progress on Oak 140. The tax credit application has been submitted and the project received unanimous approval from the Landmark Preservation Commission. Chairperson Staudinger noted the great support given to this project by the Downtown Development Authority and its Executive Director, Matt Robenalt. c. Financial Report - 2nd Quarter Mr. Hopkins presented an overview of the second quarter financial statements. d. Department Updates Director of Housing Assistance Programs Traci McGraw reviewed the usage of the federal voucher funds and the reserve balance. CARES Act funds are being used to support changes in operations due to COVID. Housing Catalyst will be purchasing a software module that will enable clients to complete and submit paperwork online. Staff are also working videos to provide support to clients and property owners. Ms. Fritz provided an overview of the development department’s operating expenses, expected receivables, and other expenses. Maintenance Manager Josh Suppes reviewed the department's work order volume and budget implications. Staff are analyzing staffing needs and reaching out to families to determine deferred maintenance needs. The department is beginning to fill maintenance technician positions that were kept vacant due to decreased workload earlier this year due to COVID. Ms. Brewen reviewed property operations' resident stability and rent collections. Property managers are documenting residents with outstanding balances, reaching out to those residents, and engaging them with resident services if needed. Chief Operating Officer Michele Christensen said staff are mapping out the WiFi connectivity at each of our properties. Staff are involved in conversations with partners to make sure schoolchildren and people working from home have access to robust WiFi. Director of Resident Services Carri Ratazzi has been working with the Bohemian Foundation's program, Feeding Our Community, that has been providing meals to people in need due to COVID. This program has provided 119,000 meals across Fort Collins. Housing Catalyst will continue to provide one meal a week to residents, targeting older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children on free and reduced lunch. Discussion Items Commissioner Bye requested information on the current status of the audits. All audits have been completed except for the Villages, Ltd. audit. Legislative Issues/Updates a. Colorado Legislative Update Ms. Brewen mentioned that the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) will be starting their Qualified Application Plan public input process which sets priorities for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. b. National Legislative Update Mr. Hopkins said the federal budget process for 2021 has not moved forward since last month's report. c. Fort Collins City Council Legislative and Business Update Commissioner Gorgol provided a City Council update, noting that Council adopted a manufactured home community zoning ordinance. She also stated that the City Manager's budget will be released in September. Legal Issues Chairperson Staudinger is involved with Ms. Brewen and legal counsel regarding issues previously noted with a former Housing Catalyst employee. Housing Catalyst's general counsel, Jim Martell, said there are no other legal issues. He reported that the governor extended the requirement for providing residents a 30-day notice to cure any monetary default. That executive order will expire September 12, 2020. Ms. Brewen provided an update on a previous fair housing complaint, reporting that the hearing officer's finding was in Housing Catalyst's favor. The complaint involved a dispute between two families at one of our properties. The resident who filed the complaint has filed an appeal, which Housing Catalyst will respond to. Other Business/Upcoming Events Housing Catalyst will host a grand opening event for Mason Place during the week of November 16th. Staff will provide more details at a later date. Adjournment- Next Meeting Date - September 17, 2020 Chairperson Staudinger adjourned the meeting at 8:48 a.m.