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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Catalyst - Minutes - 07/15/2021 Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners Meeting July 15, 2021 Attendees Commissioners: Cathy Mathis, David Bye, Jennifer Wagner, Hep Wilkins, Emily Gorgol, Ann Green Legal Counsel: Jim Martell Guests: Alexis Odden-Fargo (EideBailley), Jill Grano (Director of Community Affairs for Congressman Joe Neguse), Meagan Overton (City of Fort Collins) Staff: Julie Brewen, Kristin Fritz, Traci McGraw, Brian Heckart, Nichole Rex, Josh Suppes, Carri Ratazzi, Rachel Gaisford, Jeanna Nixon, Preston Nakayama Call to Order Chairperson Mathis called the meeting to order at 7:34 a.m. Approval of Minutes from June 17, 2021 Commissioner Wagner made a motion to approve the minutes of the Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners from June 17, 2021. Commissioner Green seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. Action Items 2020 Audit Director of Accounting Brian Heckart introduced Alexis Odden-Fargo, auditor with EideBailly, who provided an overview of the process and results of the 2020 Housing Catalyst Audit. The audit resulted in an Unmodified Opinion (clean opinion) with no significant accounting policies, accounting estimates, disclosures, difficulties, uncorrected misstatements, or disagreements with management. The overall financials and net position were found to be very strong when compared to other housing authorities. There was no identification of any deficiencies in internal control over financial statements and no instances of noncompliance for Government Auditing Standards. The organization complied in all material respects for Federal Programs. There was one finding of a Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Noncompliance in Federal Programs involving incorrect calculation of tenant income. The projected error was $72,000 and errors over $25,000 are required to be reported, though it is a very small amount of the overall Housing Assistance Programs funding. CEO Julie Brewen shared that the organization was aware of being under resourced in this area and had planned to increase staff capacity, but this plan was delayed due to COVID. Additional staff have now been hired, training is conducted on an ongoing basis, and Housing Catalyst has implemented a Corrective Action Plan to address these errors in the future. Commissioner Bye motioned to approve the audit as well as to have the Budget & Finance Committee approve the other audits (Wellington, Villages) if there are no findings. Commissioner Green seconded the motion, which then passed unanimously. Line of Credit Renewal Director of Accounting Brian Heckart requested that the Board consider a renewal of Housing Catalyst’s $2 million Line of Credit Renewal to support Strategic Plan Goal 2 to increase the supply of affordable housing. The line of credit is used for predevelopment costs, not operating expenses. RES. NO. 2021-07-01 - Line of Credit Renewal Commissioner Wilkins motioned to approve RES. NO. 2021-07-01. Commissioner Gorgol seconded the motion, which then passed unanimously. Staff Updates Development Updates • New Staff – Chief Real Estate Officer Kristin Fritz introduced Nichole Rex, the new Senior Project Manager on the Development Team who will have the Impala project as her primary focus. • Oak 140 – Chief Real Estate Officer Kristin Fritz shared that the financing closed and the Notice to Proceed was given to Calcon on July 8. We had a successful day in the bond market for our bond sale on June 30 and the rates were very favorable. • Section 18 – The public housing disposition for Wellington is almost complete and residents will stay in place and receive vouchers. The Fort Collins disposition will be conducted in two phases. The approval for the first phase of disposition for Fort Collins is expected to be received this week. This will involve relocation for residents and these residents will be eligible for vouchers. The homes will be sold to Elevation Community Land Trust to be provided as affordable home ownership opportunities. Resident Services Updates Director of Resident Services Carri Ratazzi spoke about a partnership with Poudre School District that will involve a back-to-school day to meet with principals and teachers with food, music, and giveaways on Saturday, August 7, from 11 am to 1 pm. Housing Catalyst 50th Anniversary August is the 50th anniversary of the Authority’s formation by the City Council. On September 7, the City Council will do a Proclamation. Pat Ferrier will be doing a feature story in the Coloradoan. There will also be a celebration for staff, Commissioners, and partners. Chief Operations Officer Michele Christensen introduced Rachel Gaisford, the new Communications Manager, who will be working on this project. Legislative Update Colorado: CEO Julie Brewen shared that now that the Legislative Session has wrapped up, she will be looking at what changes may need to be made based on laws that were passed. National Update and Report on Roundtable with HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge: Jill Grano, Director of Community Affairs for Congressman Joe Neguse provided a report on two LIHTC bills the Congressman is sponsoring related to the 10-year rule and closing the loophole on units going to market. She also described a recent roundtable that CEO Julie Brewen also attended with HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge. Both shared Secretary Fudge’s commitment, knowledge, and passion for housing affordability and the impact of housing on all other aspects of our lives, economy, and communities. Jill invited Housing Catalyst to participate in a panel at an upcoming Housing Summit on August 19. Jill raised the idea that housing is a right not a commodity and Julie shared that she is organizing a session at the upcoming NAHRO conference on housing as a right. Fort Collins: Commissioner Gorgol shared that Fort Collins City Council adopted their priorities, and affordable housing was not one of them, but the Housing Strategic Plan and how it is being implemented showed that housing is still important. It will include a land use code update, rental stability, and closing the housing funding gap. 18 of the 25 strategies are underway. Legal Issues Jim Martell indicated that there are no legal issues. Other Business/Upcoming Events There will be a Housing Catalyst Tour with Councilmember Shirley Peel on July 28 and one is being planned with Representative Cathy Kipp. Adjournment Chairperson Mathis adjourned the meeting at 9:06 a.m.