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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-10 Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board Minutes City of Bozeman Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board (CAHAB) Meeting Minutes September 9, 2010 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm HRDC Conference Room Attending: Brian LaMeres (City of Bozeman Finance Department), Daniel Simonich (Community Representative), Carson Taylor (City Commissioner), Kris Keller (Community Representative), Mary Martin (Community Representative), Jan Bergman (Community Representative) Absent: Chris Saunders (City of Bozeman Planning Department) Staff : Tracy Menuez (HRDC) Public: None A.Call to Order Chairman LaMeres called the meeting to order at 12 pm. B.Public Comment There was no public comment. C.Agenda Items 1.Approval of July 1, 2010 meeting minutes. Jan moved to approve the July meeting minutes, Daniel provided a second. Motion approved unanimously. 2.FYI - Staff Menuez requested that two FYI items be handled before the board moved into their session on CAHAB roles. Chair LaMeres and the board consented. FYI Item #1: Meadow Creek Dave Skelton, the Planner assigned to Meadow Creek has requested that the CAHAB meet with the development team to review their workforce housing compliance options. That meeting will be scheduled for September 23, 2010. UPDATE: This meeting has been moved to October 7, 2010. FYI Item #2: City Budget Staff reported to the board that the City Commission would be voting on the budget at their Monday night meeting, meaning that any comment needed to be provided to the commission by that time. Budget proposals were reviewed by the board, particularly the budget proposal to remove the Workforce Housing Mill. Carson explained that the commission was looking for a way to provide funding for Streamline without raising taxes, and that removal of the Workforce housing mill was an option, considering that the fund still had a balance. Brian commented that he would recommend keeping the mill, but providing $25,000 to the Streamline program for local match for the purchase of a new bus. Remaining funds should be kept in the workforce housing fund; affordable housing projects are expensive, spending the fund every year would not allow the City to act on opportunities requiring larger funding, such as the Bridger View trailer park. Mary commented that she is not in favor of giving up funds, fearing that once you give them up, you never get them back. However, she agreed that she would be in favor of one-time funding to Streamline. Brian asked about the funds that the City puts toward Galavan. Mary replied that those funds were a voter-approved mill and cannot be reallocated to other transportation uses. Mary moved that the board submit a letter to the commission to continue the WFH mill, outlining potential future uses for the funds (staff, incentives, large projects such as Bridger View). The letter should also recognize the importance of affordable transportation and recommend 1 time support of Streamline to meet the local match requirements for a new vehicle. Jan provided a second and the motion was carried. Staff will draft a letter and send it to board members for review before sending it to the commission for inclusion in public comment. 3.Discussion of CAHAB roles, priorities Commissioner Taylor facilitated a board discussion regarding the roles and priorities of the CAHAB. He first reviewed the founding resolution for the board, pointing out that it essentially gives the board duties to 1) administer the revolving loan fund and 2) advise the commission on affordable housing needs. He then asked board members what they envisioned the CAHAB doing in the community to fulfill these duties. Daniel asked about the 2003 housing study, and what outcomes had been achieved in relation to that survey. Tracy reviewed the recommendations, and what progress had been made, adding that a presentation had been made to the planning board in 2007 that reviewed the study’s recommendations and outcomes. She noted that it would be helpful to revisit the recommendations and outcomes. Daniel suggested that we consider a new study, the board agreed. Tracy will begin the process and report back to the board. Kris commented that she had joined the board to improve general habitability and affordability for everyone in the community, regardless of whether they utilized subsidized housing or market rate housing, or whether they own or rent. She expressed concern about the condition of market rate rental housing in the community, how to provide landlords with information and resources to make them better landlords, and providing renters with information about their rights and what to do if those rights are violated. She felt that this information is especially necessary for households with limited financial options. Brian agreed that he feels that affordability and habitability are priorities as well. He envisions that everyone who wants to live here should be able to do so in a home that is safe for their family. He wants the CAHAB to communicate that we are not just promoting affordable homeownership, rather, we acknowledge that affordable housing is important to everyone in our community, whether you own or rent. Mary commented that the goal is decent, safe and affordable housing. Affordable housing is fluid topic, and our board should be able to address changing conditions in the local housing market. Her goal would be to create a positive impact across the housing continuum. Mary agreed that there is some rental housing stock in very poor condition; however, subsidized housing (and people renting to Section 8 voucher holders) must meet HUD standards for safety and habitability. She questioned whether this was an issue of lack of code standards or lack of enforcement. Jan commented that she remembered that there have always been poorly maintained rentals in the market and was disappointed to hear that they are still so prevalent in the non-subsidized market. She agreed that she would like the CAHAB to work on all levels of the housing continuum. Daniel asked why Bozeman does not have a homeless shelter. Mary discussed the efforts of Paul Thomas and Amos house, and why building a shelter is not always the easy answer. Tracy mentioned that if Daniel (or any other board member) was interested in homelessness issues, he may be interested in working with the Continuum of Care group – she will get him contact information. Carson commented that there are certain things that the board has to do, but what do we want to do? And do we want to recruit any new members to help us? The general consensus of the board was to recruit new members. Tracy asked that any suggestions be sent to her so she can contact prospective members and provide them with information and an application. Tracy asked for direction on revising the membership requirements of the ordinance. The group agreed that some positions could be consolidated and the board changed to 7-10 members with a quorum of 4 members or the majority of seated members. Tracy will do a draft of changes to review at the October meeting. 4.Agenda for October 7, 2010 meeting The board discussed potential agenda items for the October meeting. Meadow Creek will present their project and workforce housing options for consideration. Tracy will present a draft of changes to the ordinance. D. FYI/Discussion FYI/Discussion was handled at the beginning of the meeting, as noted above. E.Adjournment Chairman LaMeres adjourned the meeting at 1:35 pm.