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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 03/01/2001CITY OF FORT COLLINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD MEETING MINUTES March 1, 2001 Bob Browning, chair (970) 225-0137 Kay Rios, Vice -Chair Ken Waldo, Staff Liaison (970) 221-6753 Chuck Wanner, City Council Liaison (970) 484-0810 Members present. Bob Browning, David McKelfresh, Isabel Garity, David Danforth, Kay Rios, Billie Rosen, Dick Clark and Jane Phelan. Staff Present: Ken Waido, Maurice Head City Council Present None Bob Browning called the meeting to order with a quorum present. Bob Browning introduced Robert and Ramona Fritz from the Commission on Disability: current projects include visitability in regards to wheel chair accessible housing sites, employment of individuals with disabilities, transportation (Dial -A -Ride), pedestrian safety, and store accessibility. Ramona extended an invitation to all present to contact her with questions and comments. Ken Waldo introduced a new staff member, Heidi Phelps, now involved with administration of the CDBG program. Minutes The minutes from February 1, 2001 were presented. Kay Rios noted incorrect name on page 2 and Bob Browning noted the absence of David McKelfresh from the attendance. Billie Rosen moved to accept with these changes, Kay Rios 2"d, motion carried. Bob Browning brought the issue to the table questioning the board's thoughts in regards to maintaining the current stand on non-profit and for -profit organizations. He expressed a desire to differentiate between these two groups with respect to impact fee rebates. He further commented that impact fees should not be a part of the competitive process, but that this issue did not need to be decided immediately. Kay Rios commented on the importance of public perception of affordable housing in relation to the issue of impact fees. Affordable Housing Board March 1, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 2 David Danforth is concerned that impact fees are a constraint on affordable housing and that separating these two groups would further contribute to this strain. He is also concerned that with the memo in the previous mailing with regards to favorable treatment of the Fort Collins Housing Authority over other organizations. Kay Rios informed the board that non-profit organizations may receive the same exemptions as the Fort Collins Housing Authority if those organizations contract with the authority. Bob Browning further informed the board that no one was providing low income housing when the Fort Collins Housing Authority was established. By isolating non -profits they could receive the same exemptions without contracting with the Fort Collins Housing Authority directly. David Danforth agreed with this need for supporting non -profits. Ken Waido addressed the public opinion that affordable housing is not available because of impact fees. This measure would be a clear response to that concern. David McKelfresh moved to reinstate the development of the impact fee rebate program for non-profit organizations. David Danforth amended the motion to amend Resolution 96-73 to include all non -profits, Kay Rios 2"d, motion carried. APPLICATION FEES FOR RENTAL UNITS UPDATE Kay Rios attended the Apartment Managers Luncheon where she conducted a survey. The survey and survey results were handed out at the meeting. It is not ethical and illegal to charge an application fee and collect more than one application/unit, as 9 of 29 said they are doing. She would like to follow-up on this issue. She also questioned whether or not the board wishes to pursue a single institution to conduct credit reports, such as CARE. According to a representative of CARE, each application costs $18 to process plus 4 hours of staff time. Kay Rios will look further into this issue and report back. SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR CITY COUNCIL RETREAT See letter from Kay Rios in the previous mailing. Bob Browning questioned the inclusion of transportation issues. Kay Rios feels they are important to affordable housing. Isabel Garity suggested the deletion of item six as this issue has been passed by the board for review by City Council. Affordable Housing Board • • March 1, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 3 Staff informed the Board that two potential changes were being considered to the City's Land Use Code to aid affordable housing. The first, was a reduction in the sizing of landscaping requirements and the second, was the elimination of the "infill" area requirement for affordable housing projects to receive a density bonus in the LMN Zone. Kay Rios informed the board that a task force may be created to look into affordable housing at this time. If so, it is unclear as to what they would do and it seems a redundancy of this board. Bob Browning suggested the board request to act as that task force, all agreed. Ken Waido will write a letter on behalf of the board to the necessary people. 1.7 million of CDGB funding is available, 65% of which is earmarked for affordable housing. 6 of the 7 proposals handed out are requesting grants. Board members will review 1 or 2 proposals and return to decide which projects to recommend funding and in what amounts. Stipulations were given that board members may not contact applicants with questions. Kay Rios- Volunteers of America/ Fort Collins Rehabilitation David McKelfresh- Home Buyer Assistance Jane Phelan- Habitat for Humanity Bob Browning- 1101 Ponderosa (generic proposal)/ Neighbor to Neighbor Billie Rosen- Habitat for Humanity Isabel Garity- CARE/ Home Buyer Assistance David Danforth- Rigden Farm Affordable Housing A special meeting to review the applications will be held on March 22, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. G.. .1. .� David Danforth was concerned with regards to the last meeting. He felt staff tried to direct the board's decision, particularly with three new members. Bob Browning agreed with this statement, stating that the board was steam -rolled. Although he does not disagree with the outcome, he would like the board to be aware that it can happen. Ken Waido commented that information presented from staff at the February 1 meeting was the same information that was presented to City Council. City Council asked for that information to be given to the board for their review. Affordable Housing Board March 1, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 4 David McKelfresh and Billie Rosen did not feel steam -rolled, rather that an educated decision was made. .a *T, >ti Billie Rosen nominated Kay Rios for Chair, David McKelfresh 2nd, motion carried. Kay Rios nominated Isabel Garity for Vice Chair, David McKelfresh 2nd, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jodi M. Goldman