HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-18 Public Comment - K. Thane - Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board (CAHAB) RestructureFrom:Kevin Thane
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Commment on Resolution 4948
Date:Monday, August 13, 2018 4:03:22 PM
Commissioners,
Please consider the following as you deliberate the proposed changes to the charge
and make-up of the Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board:
1. The current charge of CAHAB as detailed on Ordinance 3540 includes the
following:
a. To advise the City Commission on affordable housing needs, issues,
policies and regulations
b. To work with the City and other groups to formulate programs and projects
to meeting (sic) Bozeman’s affordable housing needs
These two charges provide for CAHAB to be proactive and creative in their
recommendations and suggestions in effecting affordable housing solutions for
the Commission to consider. The proposed new roles and responsibilities strip
CAHAB of the direction to provide new and creative approaches to affordable
housing, instead placing all opportunities for creative input in the hands of the
City staff by indicating (in the Commission Memorandum for Resolution 4948)
that the duties indicated in a and b above will be performed by the Affordable
Housing Program Manager and that CAHAB (as indicated in Resolution 4948)
will be limited to reviewing affordable housing plans; advancing the COB
Strategic Plan, Affordable Housing Work Plan, and assisting with the
Community Housing Needs Assessment; and Scoring CDBG revolving fund
applications. All other CAHAB work is specifically limited by the Resolution
which states, “As directed by the City Commission or the Director of
Community Development or the Affordable Housing Program Manager to meet
any other goals of the Affordable Housing Program…”
In CAHAB, the City Commission currently has a fervent, committed, creative,
and engaged Board. It is my considered opinion that if the changes I have
discussed above are enacted the result will be a rubber stamp board that will
be of little value to the city. Please consider adding the following language to
Section 2 - Purpose of Resolution 4948:
To formulate creative, innovative recommendations for the consideration of
City Staff and the City Commission when approaching opportunities for
affordable housing in Bozeman.
2. I feel that under Section 2 – Purpose point #1 is limiting because it tries to
enumerate the types of affordable housing plans that CAHAB will review. I
suggest the following language: To review subdivision and development plans
submitted to the Community Development Department Planning Office that
require an Affordable Housing Plan as required by Bozeman Municipal Code.
3. I support reworking the membership of CAHAB, however I would point out the
following
a. Rationale for shrinking the Board from 10 to 7 members indicates that
many GDBG Boards in other cities have 7 members. I would point out
that CAHAB has greater responsibilities than just a CDBG Board.
b. The proposal to reduce membership indicates that positions have been
hard to fill but includes positions for the two members that CAHAB has
had the hardest time filling 1) a Member of the public who has a
demonstrated need in special needs housing and 2) a member of the
public certifying that he or she is a low – or moderate-income person.
I suggest that these 2 positions be eliminated and that the number of at large
members be increased to three.
c. I do not support the suggested term limits being proposed. When an
individual is dedicated to the Board over time and has developed the
experience and expertise that comes with time on the Board, that should
not be arbitrarily lost.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Thane
3432 S 29th Ave
Bozeman