HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-26 Housing & Human Services MIN
Ashland Housing and Human Services Commission
Minutes July 26, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Chair Rohde 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.
Commissioners Present: Council Liaison
Tom Gunderson Jackie Bachman
Rich Rohde
Erin Crowley SOU Liaison
Erica Franks
Heidi Parker
Gina DuQuenne Staff Present:
Absent: Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Linda Reppond Carolyn Schwendener
Sue Crader
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Franks/Crowley m/s to approve the minutes of the June 28, 2018 regular Commission meeting with two spelling
corrections. Voice Vote: All Ayes, motion passed.
PUBLIC FORUM
Mr. John Limb from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Rogue Valley gave an update on the overnight parking
program at that Church. The Church offers a place to park from 8:00 pm to 9:00 am. The Church also provides a
porta potty, garbage bin and free Wi-Fi. The Church office is open from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Monday through
Friday and everyone is welcome to come in to use the bathroom, have a cup of coffee and sometimes even a donut.
At this time the Church only has three parking spots available but Mr. Limb is hoping to convince the board to use
more spots. The advantage however is that with less people they are less likely to have conflict issues. So far the
experience has been good, acknowledged Mr. Limb. There has been no litter or garbage left, no complaints from
neighbors and everyone has behaved themselves.
Mr. Limb explained the problem is they are flying under the radar. In the City of Ashland, it is illegal to park on
private property for the purpose of camping. Their idea is to expand the program to other churches. They have
been invited to do a presentation at four other Churches, Temple Emek Shalom, First Congregational United Church
of Christ, Grace Point Nazarene and the First United Methodist. The Friends Church is also interested but at this
time they do not have any place to park. What would help, expressed Mr. Limb, is if we had an ordinance in place
to present to the other churches this might encourage them to be supportive of joining the program.
The Church has worked on making the ordinance simpler and more defined. Mr. Limb will email the updated
Ordinance as well as the Eugene Ordinance to Reid who will forward it to the Commissioners. The hope, stressed
Mr. Limb is that with the support of this Commission the City Council would pass the Ordinance. Reid reminded
the Commissioners of the proper process of how to approach this. It is Council who needs to direct staff first to draft
an Ordinance. Perhaps first we should talk with the Mayor and get it on a Study Session, suggested Reid. Once
the Council is open to hearing about it we would then support it as a Commission.
It was the consensus of the Commission to support the overnight parking program to move forward. Reid and
Council Liaison Bachman were directed to move it forward. Reid will provide a timeline for Bachman reviewing the
background and all the work that has gone into this program. It was also suggested that any Commissioner who
would like to reach out to the other Councilors in support of this program should do so.
Audience member, Linda O’Donnell, introduced herself. Ms. O’Donnell is interested in the issues this
Commission addresses and was present to observe the meeting.
LAND BANK AFFORABLE HOUSING PACKET DISCUSSION
Parker explained this agenda item came from the Jackson County Homeless Task Force meeting held in Central
Point. At that meeting a number of developers who came expressed their desire to build affordable housing but the
land is so expensive it makes it difficult to do. It was suggested that if the Communities could help developers
purchase land or be a partner with them it might be a possibility. Parker informed the developers about the Housing
Trust Fund which could be used for this purpose. We are in such a crisis here and housing is so expensive we
need to discuss land banking as a City issue, emphasized Parker. The City is currently purchasing property and it
would be a good idea for the City to designate some of that land for affordable housing.
Reid acknowledged the City has land banked in the past in a variety of ways. The benefit of the Housing Trust
Fund is that we can help buy down the cost of the property.
Reid suggested that the Commission update the brochures that were put together last year for the Affordable
Housing Bus Tour. Highlight all the programs and incentives the City provides and supply these brochures to the
developers. Reid went on to say that a Regional Housing Strategy is being developed by ECONorthwest. She will
bring this document to the next meeting to discuss the strategies that are being recommended for our Community.
Rohde mentioned a Land Banking Bill that passed the Legislation allowing Cities to invest in housing without using
their own money but rather the States. This Bill is still in process and most likely the money won’t be available until
next year. Rohde went on to say that in November we will be voting on a Bill which will allow Cities to float bonds
for Affordable Housing. It will allow Cities to use the Bonding for a non-profit to develop the land.
The Commission called attention to the fact that the Ashland School District appears to own a large quantity of land
which possibly could be used for workforce housing. Parker would like to encourage people in our own Community
to use some of the excess land they own to build the concept of affordable Housing. The Commission would like
to invite Rob Justus to our valley to give a presentation on developing Affordable Housing. Franks will speak with
Michelle Glass from Rogue Action Institute about becoming a partner in the forum and developer outreach activities.
Reid will bring to next month’s meeting the brochure for the Commission to help redesign.
The Commission concluded by saying the City needs to make a commitment to Land Banking either on City owned
land or with Affordable Housing Developers. Why do we do this if there is no action to follow through? Reid
reminded the Commission that they will be looking at the Ashland Regional Plan Housing Strategies next month
and will be making recommendations on things actionable and what can be implemented now. Reid will try to send
the document out before next month’s meeting.
SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT OUTREACH PLAN UPDATE AND DISCUSSION
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Reid was able to reserve the Gresham room at the Ashland Public Library for Thursday October 25 from 4:00 pm
to 7:00 pm. That meeting will be just for applicants not the general public. It was decided by the subcommittee to
have listening sessions with the general public. The Commissioners will send any survey suggestions or corrections
to Reid and she will update it and bring it back to next month’s meeting. The listening sessions will target seniors,
students and families. Some suggested places to go for the interviews would be the YMCA, Senior Center,
Southern Oregon University, Family Fest at the Methodist Church, Snowberry Apartments, Ashland foodbank,
Uncle Foods Diner and the Library. It was also suggested to put the survey on the City Website and in the
newspaper. Putting a drop box for the surveys in the lobby of the Community Development building is a possibility.
ONE SITE SHELTER COMMITTEE UPDATE
Parker reported they are making progress and having a single site building has some promise. There are however
a lot of unknowns for the buildings because it involves the State Building Codes. The Presbyterian Church made
the decision they cannot be the single site but they have offered to do three nights a week with a few conditions
one of which is the installation of sprinklers. Parker was asked if a building was not found is it possible to meet the
conditions of the Presbyterian Church. Parker answered that it would be too much of a financial burden for only
three nights a week.
The Commission was impressed with the amount of work and effort that has gone into this endeavor but the
obstacles have been tremendous. It might have to be a multi-tiered approach, stated Bachman, with a variety of
options, yurts, tents, warming centers.
GRANT FUNDING OVERVIEW
Reid distributed a corrected spread sheet for the CDBG grant money. See exhibit A at the end of the minutes.
Reid reported there is currently around $85,000 in CDBG not including the grant request from the Fire Department.
The request from the Fire Department is $50,000 to assist eligible seniors and persons with disabilities to make
safety and or accessibility modifications to their residences. This amount will come out of the $85,000 leaving a
balance of $35,000. This is going to City Council at their August 7, 2018 meeting.
LAISION REPORTS
Council Liaison Report – Bachman reported that the Oregon League of Cities Board of Directors has set six
legislative priorities for the 2019 session. The City Council was asked to pick their top four priorities from the list
but the Council actually choose all six (EIGHT) Bachman pointed out that the Commission needs to be aware that
mental health money may be cut back next year. Gunderson explained that the primary funding for health care for
low income people is Medicare money which comes through Jackson Care Connect and AllCare. Gunderson went
on to say the municipal funds aren’t used directly for mental health service, even though police and ancillary City
services do address mental health issues, but aren’t real mental health providers. Bachman announced that Isleen
Glatt is the new Senior Services Superintendent and Kelly Madding is the new City Administrator. Bachman
reminded the Commissioners to learn about the proposed new Wildfire Mitigation Ordinance. It is a concern that
not everyone in the Community understands what the ordinance actually says.
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Staff Liaison Report – Reid said the Veterans Benefit Expo is happening on Saturday July 28 from 9:00am to
3:00pm. This is a one stop shop for veterans. Reid announced Neighborhood Works Umpqua is looking for board
members if anyone in this group is interested in joining. Check out their website and see all the things they do, said
Reid. They are a great organization and a developer of Affordable Housing.
Announcement – Rhode announced the Southern Oregon Inter Faith Social Justice Coalition is sponsoring a Faith
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Summit on August 15 at the Methodist Church of Ashland from 4:00pm to 8:30 pm. The Keynote speaker is Rev.
Dan Bryan. See exhibit B at the end of the minutes. Everyone is welcome to attend they just ask if you register
online ahead of time.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Housing and Human Services Commission Regular Meeting – 4:30-6:30 PM; August 23, 2018, at 51 Winburn Way.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Schwendener