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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 08/07/1997CITY OF FORT COLLINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD Meeting Minutes August 7, 1997 Bob Browning, Chair The meeting of the Affordable Housing Board began at 4:10 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Board members present included: Chairman Bob Browning, Sylvie Glass, Mike Nicely, Stacy Overton, Kay Rios, and Sue Wagner. Staff members present: Joe Frank and Timothy Wilder. Mr. Browning welcomed Kay Rios as a new Board member. Ms. Rios presented her background and interest in affordable housing. Other Board members introduced themselves. Nominations for Chair and Vice Chair were discussed. Mr. Browning was nominated to serve as Chair for the next term. No nominations for Vice Chair were submitted at this time. This issue will be discussed at end of meeting when possibly more members will be present. Moved by Ms. Wagner, seconded by Ms. Glass: To elect Mr. Browning Chair for the next term. Motion passed unanimously. Kay Rios abstained from voting. Corrections to minutes of last meeting were discussed. Mr. Wilder will handle the changes and update the minutes. The Board will keep this open until end of meeting for further discussion if more members arrive at a later time. No public comments were offered. Mr. Browning stated that the home improvement program people canceled their presentation. The Board will get a thumbnail sketch on that when they make their presentation next time. City Plan Indicators Mr. Wilder made a presentation regarding the City Plan indicators. This is part of the City Plan goal section for growth management, adopting indicators to see how well they're doing at managing growth in the area. Affordable housing was one of those indicators. These indicators have been presented and discussed by each of the Boards to determine which are important, and he has done a summary of what these indicators have turned out to be. He explained they are trying to limit this to specific measurable indicators. The three sets of indicators they have are: population, which is the most critical one; the second set has more to do with development patterns and land use; and the third deals with circumstances which are less controlled by the City. The category of price of housing has three specific indicators: affordable housing index, incorporated into a specific Affordable Housing Minutes August 7, 1997 Page 2 document; the average price of homes; and trends of housing costs versus income. Mr. Wilder went into detail on how they will be tracking that information and completing a report every two years, talking about the indicators and overall trends. These reports will go to various Boards and City Council. This will determine what changes, if any, need to be made to the City Plan. He discussed the criteria to be used to determine if the indicators will be used in response to questions from the Board. Mr. Frank commented that one of their projects on the work program is to get a better handle on what the needs are for affordable housing. They are lacking good information on what the supply is, the inventory that is available now. Mr. Browning commented that inventory is something they have been asking requesting for the duration of the Board. A discussion was held reiterating the need for inventory. Mr. Wilder agreed and stated it could easily be incorporated into their document. Ms. Glass questioned the accuracy of the forecast for population growth, since population is the one that directs everything. Mr. Wilder responded that it was an estimate, and one way to verify the accuracy would be to look at census information; however, there is no perfection in making the estimate. Council Policy Agenda Mr. Frank made a presentation regarding the policy agenda. It is broken down into six theme areas by the Council of issues that need to be addressed, and then looking for input from the Board and Commission, as well as City staff. Affordable housing falls under the area of economic vitality and sustainability. The major focus is to set quantitative goals. A big project for affordable housing will be the supply demands study and objective study. Other projects were to determine if new policies are needed for the direction of affordable housing, and also the linkage type programs between the creation of low income jobs and housing. Those projects are probably a two -and -a -half year work program, in addition to their ongoing duties. They have requested input from the Board and Commission by September 15. Mr. Browning noted this item would be put on the agenda for discussion next month. Mr. Frank's next area of discussion was the budget, which is for two years. Additional monies were to be earmarked for affordable housing trust funds to be used as whatever means are found to be appropriate. The City Manager has earmarked 75,000. A discussion ensued regarding the budget. The Board was in favor of writing another letter to Council. Ms. Glass will draft the letter, and Mr. Wilder will ensure that the letter is written or forwarded to Mr. Waido. A discussion on how much of this will be impacted by the Affordable Housing Minutes August 7, 1997 Page 3 floods was held, and it was noted that part of the letter ought to be fund increase and different strategies on how to spend these funds. Mr. Frank discussed grant type and loan programs needing attention. He also mentioned strategic plans being used in Seattle and San Jose and how they should be reviewed. Public Awareness Program Mr. Wilder presented an update to the Board regarding a public awareness program they are working on, with script, slides and graphics to several groups: One, a general audience where there was an affordable housing project proposed for that area, in addition to going to business groups and otherformal organizations and doing a presentation. He informed the Board of a free workshop that is being held on August 12. He is planning on attending this workshop to get more information about what kinds of things to use in their script, as well as specific financial information to include. An update was given on Dickson Robin's position. Mr. Frank informed the Board the position closed Friday; they should have someone on board by first of October. Dickson's responsibilities are kind of being split right now. Mr. Frank brought the Board up to date on the TRAC issue. They are up and running with people living there. They have not closed on it as they ran into some financial problems and management problems. As a result, they have not been able to close on Parkway 2. They are looking at over a hundred thousand dollar shortfall. Mr. Browning's concern was that if they could not get financing, the residents would lose their homes, similar to what happened at Pioneer. Ms. Glass asked who was tracking the situation with housing for people from the flood. Mr. Frank responded that City staff, as well as Red Cross, have been working with them. Red Cross has provided vouchers for housing, furniture, bedding, food, and clothing. They will be meeting with State and County to extend temporary housing to six months, to allow them more time to find permanent housing. Discussion was held regarding the problem of finding them housing if it does not exist. Moved by Ms. Glass, seconded by Ms. Overton: To approve the minutes of the June 5, 1997, Affordable Housing Board meeting. Motion approved unanimously. Kay Rios abstained from voting. No other nominations for Vice Chair were entertained. The meeting concluded at 5:10 p.m.