HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-26 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
February 26, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bill Smith called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Community Development and Engineering Services
Building, 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR 97520.
Commissioners Present: SOU Liaison: Alexandra Amarotico
Richard Billin
Graham Lewis Council Liaison: Carol Voisin
Steve Hauck
Bill Smith Staff Present::
Aaron Benjamin Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Commissioners Absent: Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
Nick Frost
Alice Hardesty
Regina Ayars
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND AGENDA CHANGES
Voisin/Hauck m/s to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2009 Housing Commission meeting with the correction
of adding Carol Voisin, Council Liaison, who was present. Voice Vote: Approved
PUBLIC FORUM
Mike Faught, Ashland Public Works Director introduced himself. The City will be submitting a grant application to
fund a Transportation System Plan (TSP) update. The Public Works Department is preparing this application to
help pay a portion of the fees that will be incurred. Mr. Faught pointed out that the Housing Commission would
have a direct benefit from the TSP in terms of the multi-modal transportation aspect and how it relates to affordable
housing. Mr. Faught asked if the Commission Chair would be willing to sign a letter of support that talks about the
impact of affordable housing in the community, more specifically in the transit side of it. Mr. Faught briefly
discussed the TSP.
Hauck/Lewis m/s that they direct the Commission Chair to sign the letter in support of the Transportation System
Plan Grant application. Voice vote: approved.
CONSOLIDATED PLAN OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION
Reid reviewed the timeline for the Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan is due next year and prior to that
there must be two public hearings. Next in the timeline will be the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
th
applications which are due tomorrow Friday February 27. At next month’s meeting, March 26, 2009, applicants
for CDBG awards will make presentations. Reid is planning to review in detail the Consolidated Plan at the
Commissions April meeting when there would be more time available. Reid is anticipating a possible Housing
Commission Ad Hoc committee with the role of research and information gathering, putting together survey
questions, taking data and putting it all together. The Consolidated Plan must be done 45 days before the end of
the grant year, same cycle as the CDBG. Two public hearings must be held, one to get public input and the second
hearing is to adopt the final draft and take public comments.
The Consolidated Plan is important because it gives a new snapshot of our community to see if the greatest priority
need is still the creation of affordable housing units. It may now be that the City needs more home owner housing
developments, rental housing units or social services stated Reid. It’s important to get that picture so we can set
our priorities for the next five years. Then, when CDBG applications come in and when they are reviewed they can
be evaluated based upon the priority goals addressed.
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
1
MINUTES
February 26, 2009
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Sub-committee Reports
Finance – No report
Education – No report
th
Land Use –The minutes from the February 11 meeting were included in the Housing Commission packet.
Smith commented that the committee had a good discussion on Co-housing.
Liaison Reports
rdth
Council – Voisin reported at the February 3 and 17 meeting the Council dealt with the cougar episode.
Voisin said that the State law trumps everything and the City had no choice but to kill the cougar on site or
tranquilize it to remove it and then kill it. The Mayor is going to ask for a citizens group to work on wildlife
issues to figure out a policy for Ashland, though again the State law will trump all City policies. Council
talked about the budget, the Croman site and the Transient Occupancy Tax. There will be a discussion
between the Parks and the City regarding the money that comes from property taxes. The Council will be
having a retreat in March for the purpose of goal setting. The Gun Club is holding off on signing a lease
while an environmental assessment is being done.
City employee, Adam Hanks has been given the position of Economic Development Project
Manager/Strategic Planner.
Parks Commission – Parks has decided to move forward with purchasing the land on Clay street
School Board – No report
th
Planning Commission – Benjamin said the meeting on the 10 was quite robust. There were quite a
number of people present who were absolutely against the Clay Street project for a variety of reasons.
Apparently they didn’t know that the council had already approved the project conceptually and this was the
required Planning Commission hearing with the final plan, stated Benjamin.
SOU – Amarotico reported that Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) has put out new
revised renters handbooks which are guides for students specifically that state “Know your rights.”
Seven students are currently in Salem lobbying for higher education and the Governors recommended
budget. SOU is opposed to becoming part of the University of Oregon and the students are protesting
against that.
The Vice Present of Students Affairs, John Eldridge has recently put out a new student reorganization plan.
The goal is to have students and faculty work together to come up with the best solution for everybody. An
issue on the State wide level is the Safe Schools program. The purpose is to develop programs to help
stop bullying in Kindergarten through Twelfth grade Helping people at a young age be happy in school
hopefully will create an atmosphere where they will want to continue with their education.
CITY LAND USE INVENTIVES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISCUSSION
Reid discussed and answered questions regarding the list of planning and financial incentives. It was decided that
this project would be handled by the Education Sub-Committee. Voisin proposed a Carbon incentive for green
building. Also discussed was System Development Charge incentives for green building.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND UPDATE AND DISCUSSION
th
The Committee did not meet last month. The next meeting will be Tuesday March 10 at 4:00 p.m. at the
Community Development Building.
HOMELESS LIAISON DISCUSSION
The discussion was postponed until the next meeting when hopefully Nick Frost will be present. Graham would like
to have this discussion before they begin to work on the comprehensive plan since many items in that plan deal
with the homeless. It was suggested that careful consideration be taken with the election process of a homeless
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
2
MINUTES
February 26, 2009
liaison. It could possibly be someone who has the knowledge and understanding of the needs the homeless
population may have with regard to housing rather then actually being a homeless person.
Voisin encouraged the Commissioners to check out the Ashland Community Health Center. They are in need in
funding and provide direct services for low-income people. Reid said they could certainly apply for funding from the
City. They would be eligible for Public Service Grant funds.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Next Housing Commission Regular Meeting – Thursday, March 26th, 2009 between 4:30–6:30p.m., Community
Development Building
th
Retreat set for March 28between 1:00-4:00 for goal setting at the Community Development Building.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by, Carolyn Schwendener
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
3
MINUTES
February 26, 2009