HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-27 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
October 27, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Regina Ayars called the meeting to order at 4:35p.m. at the Council Chambers located at 1175 East Main, Ashland, OR
97520.
Commissioners Present: Council Liaison
Nikki Pons Eric Navickas, absent
Regina Ayars
Richard Billin Staff Present:
Jody Waters Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Barb Barasa Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
Commissioners Absent:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the August 26, 2010 Housing Commission meeting were approved as presented.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one was present to speak
REPORTS AND UPDATES
Liaison Reports
Council – No report
Parks – No report. Waters said there did not appear to be anything on their agenda that was pertinent to the Housing
Commission.
School Board – No report
Planning – Pons watched the Planning Commission on line and reported that there will be a public workshop this
evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Ashland Middle School regarding the Pedestrian Places. The idea of the pedestrian nodes
is to encourage more biking and walking which will help people who cannot afford cars. The Planning Commission
also approved to demolish a house on the corner of Allison & Gresham. They are replacing a duplex with a very large
house.
Nick O’Neal arrived at the meeting and introduced himself. Mr. O’Neal is the Hunger and Homelessness programs
coordinator at SOU. He explained he was present to learn more about what the Housing Commission does and find
ways for students to get involved. He is currently looking to help recruit a SOU liaison.
Transportation – Ayars attended the October Transportation Commission meeting. At the meeting Steve Ryan was
voted in as the new Vice Chair. The current Chair is Eric Heesacker with three staff members serving, Jim Olson,
Mike Faught and Nancy Slocum. The majority of the meeting was spent with the Fire Departments demonstration of
the Fire trucks. There is an issue regarding the widths of the fire trucks and the narrow street widths. Some streets
need a little more width for the fire trucks to function properly in an emergency situation.
They also talked about making A street a “Sharrow Street” This is where marks on the pavement are placed with the
intention of alerting drivers that bicyclists are present. Also discussed the pedestrian places at that meeting.
SOU- Ayers understands that in order to have an SOU Liaison they must first be approved by the Student Association
before they can apply to the Mayor for approval. The applicant needs to write a letter of interest to the Mayor
expressing their desire and commitment to join the Commission.
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES
October 27, 2010
Staff – Reid reported that the Jackson County Homeless Task Force has organized a public forum and panel
discussion on Hunger and Homelessness in the Rogue Valley. The one day event will take place on November 16th at
the Medford library in the large Community Room from 1 pm to 4 pm. There will be a photo display of the roving
exhibit called Portraits of Disconnect. The panel will consist of four homeless people and four service people. The
topic of the discussion will be about the changing faces of homelessness. A question and answer period will follow.
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There is an upcoming Economic and Community Development strategy open houses on Nov 3rd and 4held at
Pioneer Hall and the Community Center. If you are unable to attend you can give public input online.
OVERVIEW OF THE CDBG PROGRAM
Linda gave an overview of the CDBG program and what the Housing Commission’s role is in that process. The City of
Ashland is an entitlement community for CDBG funds. Entitlement communities/Grantees are required to complete a five year
plan for the use of CDBG funds providing quantitative goals and outcomes.
The three objectives that must be met are:
Elimination or Prevention of Slum and Blight
Low to Moderate income benefit
Meet an Urgent Need
Each year the City submits an Annual Action Plan for the one year use of the CDBG funds to HUD for approval of grant
projects and to certify that the awarded activities are consistent with the Consolidated Plan’s goals
Each year the City prepares a report on the outcomes of the projects funded in the previous program year. This report known
as the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report or CAPER, evaluates the annual activity outcomes and how they
relate to the proposed goals and outcomes identified in the 5-Year Consolidated Plan
The Housing Commission’s role in the CDBG process is;
Assist in development of 5-year Consolidated Plan forward recommendations to the City Council
Evaluate annual grant applications in relation to the met and unmet goals and outcomes identified in the 5-Year
Consolidated Plan and forward funding recommendations to the City Council
Approve the Annual Action Plan and the CAPER
Act as the liaison between the social service community, affordable housing providers and the public and the City on
CDBG related business through the application process and the public hearing process
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)
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The CAPER is due 90 days after the closing of the grant year, generally around September 15. The CAPER is finished for
this cycle. Sometime in January a RFP goes out. We will put a legal notice in the newspaper, post it on the City Website with
links to the RFP, and do a direct mailing to Social Service providers. Putting it in the City Source is also a possibility.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR GOAL SETTING MEETING
It was decided that the 2011 Goal setting meeting will be December 11, 2010 from 9:00 am to 1 pm at the Ashland Parks and
Recreation Department located at 340 S Pioneer Street.
Agenda items:
Review 2009 Goals
Homelessness
Education and outreach, recruit new members
Status of Aaron Benjamin’s Trust Fund
Evaluate Housing/demographic mix
Preservation of vulnerable properties
Clay Street
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Foreclosure prevention
Identify a permanent funding source for the Housing Trust Fund
DISCUSSION: HOMELESS (GRANT RESOURCES/PROGRAMS
Linda put together some information regarding the HUD funding for activities in our area: HUD McKinney-Vento grant funds
that are offered through the Jackson County Continuum of Care have been awarded to four agencies that have received funding
from these grant funds in previous years. These projects are known as renewal applications, since they have been funded in
previous years they are refunded in the same amount despite the formula allocated amount for the Continuum. Previously
funded activities that are refunded at the same level are known as hold harmless activities. Currently the renewal applications
that are funded are,
The Home At Last Program run by DASIL, partnered with RVCOG, offers a permanent supportive voucher program
for chronically homeless populations. They receive $136,957 a year which pays for the vouchers.
Salvation Army receives $50,000 for their staffing at the Hope House Transitional Housing Program.
Community Works received $119,700 for their transitional living program, some of which serves Ashland Youth.
ACCESS, Inc. received $10,901 to reserve one of their units as permanent supportive housing at their Woodrow pines
complex.
REPORT: REGINA AYARS, HOUSING COMMISSION CHAIR
Commissioner Ayars gave an update after meeting with Mayor Stromberg. Housing issues appear to be at the top of his
agenda. The Mayor is interested in the Housing Commission and its charter and wants to help fill the commission’s vacancies.
The Mayor wants to expand the Commission’s charter and mission. Next year the City will have several new councilors, the
word affordable is a problem for people, homeless is also a problem. The Housing Commission may expand our charter in an
effort to dispel the perception that exists within the community that the Housing Commission advocates and assists all
populations with housing needs rather than just low income populations. One example might be seniors that may have been
living off of investments, and now with the economic downturn may have a difficulty in meeting their mortgage. The Mayor is
motivated to work with the commission, think broader perspective. Invite him to come for a set period of time to the retreat.
Explained that most the commissioners on the commission at this time are interested in serving low income people. Ayars
encouraged anyone who is interested in speaking with the mayor to do so as he is open to speaking with anyone.
NOVEMBER 24, 2010 MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Will discuss the next meeting date and time in December.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINS
Quorum check, everyone should be present
Next Housing Commission Regular Meeting
4:30-6:30 PM Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at the Council Chambers located at 1175 East Main, Ashland.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 6:35p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Schwendener
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