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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 10/13/20161 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 215 N Mason Street, Fort Collins October 13, 2016, 6:00PM COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Holly Carroll – (Chair) Margaret Long – (Vice- Chair) Anita Basham Steve Backsen Taylor Dunn Amy Dondale Annette Zacharias Deb Westcott STAFF PRESENT: Sharon Thomas – Staff Liaison Tina Hopkins-Dukes – Minute Taker Sue Beck-Ferkiss – Presenter for Land Bank Program The meeting was called to order by Chair, Holly Carroll, at 6:15 pm following deliberations for Fall Housing Process. PUBLIC COMMENT: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Annette Zacharias made a motion to approve the minutes from August. Anita Basham seconded. The motion passed 7-0 with one abstention. LAND BANK PROGRAM REVIEW: Sue Beck-Ferkiss explained the City’s Land Bank program. That we purchase land at a reasonable price then hold the property for 5-15 years. The property will appreciate for higher than purchased and that money can be put into the development of affordable housing. The Land Bank program was established in 2000 and the City began purchasing land in 2001. The City purchased five parcels totaling nearly 50 acres of land. In 2009 the properties were appraised; this was right after the recession and some of the properties had lost value, the program was not ready to deploy. In 2014 the properties were appraised again at six million dollars, double the purchase price. The consultants confirmed three parcels to be ready so City Council suggested one property be selected-the Horsetooth property. Beck-Ferkiss explained that the property on Vine is in a flood plain so that one is still on hold; the property on College is an odd shape, difficult to access and may oversaturate the area so the property on Horsetooth was selected. The City is in the process of selling the land to the Housing Authority. There are several policies, procedures, and restrictions placed on land bank property and are designed to serve low income residents. The City’s program is restricted to 50% - 60% AMI for 2 homeownership. The Land Bank Ordinance states that for acquisition the property must be able to be held for 5-15 years, must not exceed the market value, and must, currently or in the near future, be within one half mile of three out of five following: school, park, transit station, employment or commercial development. It must also be within the city growth model. The restrictions have become too restricted and are presenting problems in terms of selling. The current AMI restrictions do not meet the standards for low income as defined by the City. These restrictions also do not allow for mixed use AMI and do not allow the sale of property for any other reason than affordable housing development. In addition, the sale price cannot exceed 90% of market value. In order to sell the Horsetooth property the City made a minor change to the Land Bank Ordinance to state that the average AMI of the residents must be 50% to allow for some higher and some lower AMI residents access to these properties. STAFF REPORTS: Neighbor to Neighbor and Homelessness Prevention Initiative are merging. Intakes will be conducted at The Murphy Center rather than at local churches for now. They could shift back to using volunteers at churches once everything is settled. The rental assistance program will continue to use HPI’s name. In addition, rather than limit the amount of assistance to $350 they will be looking at what the need is and meeting that need. They plan to work with the family to reach self-sufficiency for the future and reduce the duplication of services. SAVA is still looking for an Executive Director. After conducting their search and interviews, they were not satisfied with the results and decided to wait until after the first of next year to do another search. Crossroads Safehouse is hiring a new Development Coordinator and are in need of Volunteer and Training Coordinator. Social Sustainability has relocated to 222 Laporte Ave. Next year regular staff meetings will be held on the second floor and presentations and deliberations will be held on the first floor in the Colorado River Community room. OTHER: Margaret Long complimented Sharon Thomas on her representation at City Council meeting addressing the Commission’s request for more funding. Thomas in return complimented the Commission in their diligence in holding organizations accountable and recognizing when to fund and not fund. These decisions have led to better collaborations and merging of three organizations, which includes, ELTC, The Murphy Center, and now HPI. ADJOURNMENT: Holly Carroll motioned to adjourn at 7:40 pm.