HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-22 Housing & Human Services MIN
Ashland Housing and Human Services Commission
Minutes January 22, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Joshua Boettiger called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm in the Siskiyou Room at the Community
Development and Engineering Offices located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland OR 97520.
Council Liaison
Commissioners Present:
Joshua Boettiger Pam Marsh
Heidi Parker
Gina DuQuenne
SOU Liaison
Vacant
Regina Ayars
Sue Crader
Rich Rohde
Staff Present:
Coriann Matthews Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Leslie Gore, Housing Program
Commissioners Absent:
Assistant
Connie Saldana
Approval of Minutes
Rohde/Ayers m/s to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2014 Housing and Human Services Commission
meeting and the November 7, 2014 Strategic Plan sub-committee meeting. Voice Vote: All Ayes; minutes were
approved as presented.
Public Forum
No one was present to speak.
Housing Trust Fund-Update and Discussion
The issue being that the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) has been created but has no ongoing funding.
Linda Reid, Housing Specialist, introduced: A Survey of revenue Tools to Fund Affordable Housing and Services in
the Portland metro region, as a guide to what other communities are doing to fund affordable housing trust funds
and considerations especially for Oregon.
Chair Joshua Boettiger opened discussion on “interesting” models of funding. Reid clarified the current revenue
sources and discussed the “in lieu of” fees.
Boettiger suggested an “opt in” program where restaurants voluntarily collect a surcharge for the fund. In return the
participating restaurants would be promoted. It was stated that this program would be a donation rather than a
tax. Reid committed to researching whether a donation to the HTF would be tax deductable. Reid also discussed
the vacation rental units as a possible revenue source and its exiting nexus on the impact on the available rental
stock. It was noted that the City Council is currently looking at this issue. Parker noted in all the successful
examples there was a community wide commitment.
Boettiger queried “what is the process for going forward?”
Commissioners discussed the creation of a sub-committee. Marsh spoke to the timing of the budget cycle and
she noted a proposal would have to move very quickly to be included in this 2 year budget cycle. Commissioner
Rohde proposed that a longer term approach would be better than rushing a proposition for this budget cycle.
Commissioners had additional questions about how the fund was managed which Reid addressed.
Rohde motioned “to form a subcommittee to investigate the (funding) sources and come back with a
recommendation.”
Saldana seconded Rohde’s motion
After discussion Council Member Marsh committed to bringing the issue to the council in a study session noting
that affordable housing was one of the top concerns in the recent citizen survey and the study session would gage
the council’s will. Additionally saying the budget committee might be a better body to “dive into the money side”.
Rohde withdrew his motion while requesting assurance from Marsh that she would bring the issue to a study
session. Marsh reiterated her commitment giving a time line of a “few months”.
There was additional clarification from Reid about the current balance in the fund 179K, and what the fund could be
used for: Unlike Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HTF can be used for construction and to benefit
households earning up to 120% Average Medium Income (AMI).
Reid also stated that up to 10% of the total annual income of the fund could be made available for pre-development
and planning activities through a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). To be responsive to immediate
development needs.
Sue Crader announced that her organization will be applying for CDBG. She and Regina Ayars intend to recuse
themselves from the CDBG review process.
Reid provided an overview the time table of the CDBG and Social Service Grant timeline: CDBG applications will
be reviewed in March and the Social Service Grants in April
Rental Registry Update and Discussion
Leslie Gore, Housing Program Assistant, gave a brief review of the Rental Registry, its purpose of gathering data
on the City’s rental stock with an addendum to the Business License. The registry would include a self-certification
statement with regards to Smoke Alarm’s and Carbon Monoxide Detector requirements. Fire Marshal,
Margueritte Hickman is contributing to the wording of the questionnaire. Reid related the history of the Rental
Registry and the Ordinance requiring landlords with 2 or more rental units to apply for a business license (a change
from 6 units). There was additional conversation about non-compliance and the need to communicate the new
requirement to landlords and the use of the collected data. Reid expressed the belief that the necessary
Department approvals for the implementation of the registry would be received by the next time the commission
meets.
Liaison Reports Discussion
SOU – Marsh told the Commission that she had met with Christy Wright who reported that the student fair housing
initiative had lost its support and she was “letting the project go” but she offered to compile the information that has
been collected and present it at the February Commission meeting. There was general agreement for her to
debrief at the February meeting.
Council – Marsh announced that the State of the City celebration is next Tuesday (1/27/15) at 5:30 at the
Community Center (located at 59 Winburn Way). The Ragland award for volunteerism will be awarded. Marsh
also mentioned that the survey results were available. She noted that Affordable housing was the “top two or
three” on the list of concerns and that the council had taken note. Marsh stated that Normal Street was “lurching
forward”. Staff had been directed to look at the transportation piece. Noting that the commission had not met
since the council approved the Human Services strategic plan, Marsh mentioned the council was very happy.
The changes made in response to Council’s comments were “spot on” and that it was approved unanimously.
Marsh also updated the commission that the planning commission was looking at a change to vacation rentals.
Marsh announced that she would be the council liaison for the next year.
Staff – Reid reiterated that Grant applications were out and it looked like a competitive round; The Homeless
th
task force next meeting is February 17.
General Announcements – Point In Time. Heidi Parker reported that the Point In Time homeless count was
scheduled for Monday (January 26). Lee Matson and John Wieczorek were coordinating the count and anybody
who wanted to volunteer should contact them shortly.
Commissioner Ayars mentioned the Homeless task force was looking at ultra affordable housing models such as
dignity village, tent city and other mini housing options. There was a general discussion about the legality of
boarding houses.
Commissioner Parker said that the shelters have been very full and related a story about a mother and three kids
that highlighted the continuing need for shelter and support services. Next meeting was confirmed for February
26 and the following March 26. There was also discussing about filling Michael Gutman’s vacated position.
Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Next Housing and Human Services Commission
meeting February 26, 2015, in the Siskiyou Room at the Community Development and Engineering Offices located
at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland OR 97520.
Respectfully submitted by Leslie Gore