MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bill Smith called the meeting to order at
Commissioners Present: |
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SOU Liaison: Alexandra Amarotico |
Nick Frost |
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Alice Hardesty |
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Council Liaison: Carol Voisin |
Steve Hauck |
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Bill Smith |
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Staff Present:: |
Aaron Benjamin |
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Linda Reid, Housing Specialist |
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Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk |
Richard Billin |
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Commissioners Absent: |
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Graham Lewis |
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND AGENDA CHANGES
Smith made a change to the agenda. The Clay Creek-Chitwood project update will come after the public forum and Guest Speaker, Brandon Goldman will be after the Sub-Committee Reports. The Homeless Liaison Discussion will be moved to next month’s meeting.
Smith/Ayars m/s to approve the minutes of the
PUBLIC FORUM
No one spoke
CLAY CREEK-CHITWOOD PROJECT UPATE
John Wheeler, Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation reviewed with the Commissioners the project update. Mr. Wheeler explained RVCDC was selected in 2007 to develop the
RVCDC is having trouble finding people to qualify for the affordable units and they need a little more time to recruit families. Instead of doing the traditional mutual self help program which was the original intent for this property, Mr. Wheeler said they will be doing an abbreviated version of the established self help program where the home owner will be doing about two hundred hours of sweat equity labor. The established program requires the homeowner to provide 16 hours of “sweat equity” labor per week for approximately 40 weeks. The reduced labor requirement allows help for those people who may not be physically able to do the job. RVCDC will also be partnering with Youth Build, the Job Council and
The homes at
ELECTION
Benjamin recommended Hardesty for Vice Chair. With no objections Hardesty was nominated and confirmed as Vice Chair.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Sub-committee Reports
Finance – No report
Education – No report
Land Use – Reid distributed a copy of the minutes from the January 14th meeting. Ayars reported the committee mainly brainstormed ideas about the
The committee also discussed the idea of developing over the larger parking lot on Lithia way. They talked about the possibility of three floors one floor to include parking in order to give back the 13 spaces. They are not sure however if three floors would be allowed.
Liaison Reports
Council – Voisin reported that at the January 20th meeting there were two public hearings. The proposed
Parks Commission –no report
School Board – Frost reported that the school board is dealing with budget issues at this time.
Planning Commission – Benjamin reported that the Planning Commission had a split decision on the Regional Problem Solving agreement. Benjamin stated that the Housing Commission should pay attention to this issue could have a profound affect on affordable housing in the community. The RPS was originally initiated to protect rural lands and was concerned with the growth boundary and rural lands adjacent to the communities along the I-5 corridor. The I-5 corridor is extremely significant in terms of transportation to and from
PLANNING PROCESS AND COMMISSION POWERS
Brandon Goldman, Long Range Planner with the City of
If the Housing Commission were to be permitted to review planning applications their comments could only apply to specific criteria of approval. At the pre application stage they are unrestricted. The Commissioners liked the idea of giving the staff the information about available incentives raising the level of consciousness accomplishes their concerns.
Cate Hartzell, Audience Member, noted that when this request was presented to the Council she originally wanted the Housing Commission to have a much stronger role and to look at it not just in pre applications but to be part of the land use process. The agreement at the time was to try it for a year and then take another look at it. Ms. Hartzel acknowledged both pros and cons for being included in the planning process.
The Commissioners agreed at this time they would start with the suggestion of using the city staff to help promote education about affordable housing and then look at the process again in a year or so. After the pre application conference a summary report can be put together and sent to the Housing Commission allowing them to give some feedback. It was suggested that the Education Committee could put together some information to provide the contractors and developers even before the pre application stage. Reid will put together the provisions from the ordinances that would provide opportunities that might not be recognized. At the next (February) meeting the Commissioners will come back with ideas and possibly a list of educational materials that they need to get out to builders along with suggestions on how to get the information out.
Reid mentioned the possibility of having a sub committee to work on the consolidated plan. Part of that plan has to do with gathering household needs information in our community. The sub committee could work with Reid on compiling a survey of information on households and rental needs and market analysis. The finance committee could be a part of this. Reid will put together a list of information that is needed for the consolidated plan and bring it back to next month’s meeting. Hauck volunteered to be on the sub committee.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF SNOWBERRY BROOK SUPPORT LETTER
Hauck/Hardesty m/s to recommend they send the letter of support. Amendment was made: Bill Smith name should actually be William Smith. Voice Vote: approved unanimously.
HOUSING COMMISSION DRAFT ORDINANCE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
Reid made the recommended changes.
Hardesty/Billin m/s that they forward the draft on to the legal department as it is written. Voice Vote: approved unanimously.
JANUARY AGENDA ITEMS
Goal setting retreat – Sometime in March was recommended. Will decide the exact date at the next meeting.
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February 27th is when the CDBG applications will be due. Hearing will be in March.
Discuss reserving a date for a special CDBG meeting.
Amarotico requested to do a SOU liaison report each month
Quorum Check – Hardesty and Ayars will not be present.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Next Housing Commission Regular Meeting –
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted by, Carolyn Schwendener