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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Catalyst - Minutes - 12/17/2020Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners Meeting December 17, 2020 Attendees Commissioners: Nicole Staudinger, Cathy Mathis, Hep Wilkins, Jennifer Wagner, Ann Green, Emily Gorgol, David Bye Staff: Julie Brewen, Michele Christensen, Kristin Fritz, Duane Hopkins, Traci McGraw, Angelika Lintner, Brian Heckart, Carly Johannson, Josh Suppes, Kim Iwanski Legal Counsel: Jim Martell Guest: Lindsay Ex Call to Order Chairperson Staudinger called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. Approval of Minutes from November 19, 2020 Commissioner Green made a motion to approve the Housing Catalyst board meeting minutes from November 19, 2020. Commissioner Wilkins seconded, and the motion was passed with Commissioner Bye abstaining from the vote. Action Items Resolution 20-20 Volunteers of America Senior Housing, Cadence Chief Real Estate Officer Kristin Fritz explained the purpose for this resolution authorizing Housing Catalyst’s role as special limited partner with Volunteer of America’s senior housing community, Cadence. Housing Catalyst will be issuing vouchers at this community as well. The Letter of Intent was previously approved by the board almost two years ago. Commissioner Wilkins made a motion to approve Resolution 20-20. Commissioner Green seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. Resolution 20-21 Banking Authorization for Swallow Road, LLC Resolution 20-22 Banking Authorization for Housing Catalyst Development Services, LLC Ms. Fritz explained these resolutions authorizing Housing Catalyst to open bank accounts for the newly formed entities for the Swallow Road project. This step will finalize the entity formation. The legal process requires bank accounts for the new entities and banks require this resolution for all entities that open bank accounts. Attorney Jim Martell stated that there are no board member conflicts of interest related to either of these resolutions. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve Resolution 20-21. Commissioner Wagner seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. Commissioner Bye made a motion to approve Resolution 20-22. Commissioner Wilkins seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. HUD Annual Agency Plans for Housing Catalyst and Larimer County Chief Operating Officer Michele Christensen said these Agency Plans are required by HUD each year. There are no significant changes to the Agency Annual Plans. The only addition is that staff will project- base some vouchers. Commissioner Green made a motion to approve the HUD Annual Agency Plans for Housing Catalyst and Larimer County. Commissioner Wagner seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. CEO Succession Plan Chief Executive Officer Julie Brewen explained this plan was previously approved by the board. Since the organization was restructured earlier this year, this plan was revised to reflect the organizational changes. Commissioner Bye made a motion to approve the updates to the CEO Succession Plan. Commissioner Mathis seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. Staff Updates COVID Business Continuity Ms. Brewen reported that offices are continuing to operate with limited staff onsite. Ms. Christensen is working on efforts to include staff at homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing communities in the Phase 1 COVID vaccine rollout. Housing Catalyst had four cases of staff with coronavirus within 2 weeks. Only two employees were in the same location. The outbreak has been resolved per Larimer County requirements and reporting. There have been no staff member positive cases since that time. Emergency Rent/Housing Stabilization Efforts Ms. Brewen said staff have maximized utilization of the Colorado Division of Housing Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) which is expiring and awaiting direction about how to access the Property Owner Protection (POP) emergency funds on behalf of residents. Development Pipeline Ms. Fritz and Manager of Real Estate Development Carly Johansson presented an overview of the development pipeline for the next five years which included timing of funding applications and use of owner capital and sale proceeds from the Section 18 Disposition Ms. Fritz explained that the use of proceeds plan includes money for ongoing resident services. Ms. Brewen reminded the board this is an internal plan and a working document, and as such it is not in a format to be shared with the neighborhoods involved in these development plans at this time because Housing Catalyst strives for comprehensive and intentional resident and neighborhood engagement and feedback solicitation Staff will develop specific strategic communications plans for sharing with the residents as appropriate. Legislative Issues and Updates Colorado: Ms. Brewen said a private developer is proposing legislation to grant private developers the same real estate tax abatement that housing authorities receive. Ms. Brewen briefly mentioned reasons why public housing authorities are much better gatekeepers of local resources in this respect. National: Chief Financial Officer Duane Hopkins provided a national update. Another COVID relief package is being debated in Congress. The CDC eviction moratorium has been extended to January 31, 2021. Some unemployment stimulus is included that will expire in March 2021. There is a one-time proposed stimulus payment being discussed as well. Mr. Hopkins said Marsha Fudge will likely be the next HUD secretary. Fort Collins: Commissioner Gorgol provided an update on City Council matters. The ad hoc committee for housing has continued to meet. City Council plans to adopt the 5 Year Housing plan in February. There was a city discussion about Metro Districts last month. Commissioner Gorgol thanked Ms. Brewen and staff for educating her in the issues around affordable housing and impacts of policies being considered. Other Business Open Board Seats: Chairperson Staudinger’s and Commissioner Green’s first terms have ended. Commissioner Green has reapplied for a second term on the board. The Board discussed the current skills and experience represented on the board at this time, giving input for Ms. Gorgol to consider in the selection process as part of her City Council role. Executive Session Commissioner Mathis made a motion for the Board of Commissioners of Housing Catalyst go into an Executive Session pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402 (4) (b) and (f) for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter and receiving legal advice regarding the matter. Commissioner Bye seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. The board began the executive session at 8:47 a.m. The executive session ended at 8:58 a.m. CEO Annual Performance Review and Compensation The Board thanked Ms. Brewen for her work and dedication to Housing Catalyst and the community in 2020. A motion was made by Commissioner Mathis, seconded by Commissioner Green to approve the Board Executive/Compensation Committee’s recommendation. The motion was unanimously approved. Adjournment Chairperson Staudinger adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m.