HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-26 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 26, 2008
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 Absent
Nick Frost, arrived at 4:40
Graham Lewis Council Liaison: Alice Hardesty,
absent
Steve Hauck
Bill Smith Staff Present::
Aaron Benjamin Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner
Regina Ayars Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
Commissioners Absent Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Carol Voisin
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Lewis/Hauck m/s to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2008 Housing meeting. Voice Vote: Approved
INTRODUCTION OF LINDA REID, HOUSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST
The Commissioners welcomed Ms. Reid. Reid expressed her enthusiasm as the new Housing Program Specialist
for the City of Ashland.
It was decided to move the Public Forum to approximately 5:40 p.m. after the Affordable Housing discussion.
REPORTS AND UPDATES
Subcommittee Reports
Liaison Reports
Parks – Hauck reported that the developer, Doug Irvine, withdrew his original proposal regarding the
Westwood property. Goldman said after the Parks Commissions’ first meeting the developer was
concerned about going forward with the process but still decided to stay in it. After the Housing
Commission meeting he then decided that he was no longer interested in being the developer of it because
of the risk involved in terms of appeals though he is still interested in selling the Clay Street property to the
City of Ashland. Goldman explained it is now the Parks Commissions’ decision if they want to develop it
themselves. On July 28, 2008 Don Robertson, City Parks Director, will come back to the Parks
Commission with a list of potential revenue streams as well as a list of properties that could also be
considered surplus.
Goldman acknowledged if the City doesn’t acquire the property Irvine will go forward with a 107 unit
development which includes 17 affordable units.
Planning Commission (Annexation) – Ayars reported that she got the impression that the Planning
Commission was open to moving forward with the Annexation Ordinance and didn’t resist the changes
other then the “cash in lieu of” provision. Benjamin commented that the Commissioners were not very
enthusiastic but would ultimately go along with the package with some resistance. Benjamin thought the
cash in lieu of was a good idea because if a developer decides he doesn’t want to go with the affordable
units, and would rather pay cash, it would be a source of funding to the Housing Trust Fund. Reid
explained that cash in lieu of is more of an actuality verses an eventuality situation. She explained that you
are giving up actual affordable housing being put on the ground for the eventuality that some day you may
have them.
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND DRAFT ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION
Goldman gave a summary of the draft ordinance and resolution. He explained there are three separate
components being presented.
1. An ordinance which establishes the Trust
2. Resolution that establishes the policies and procedures
3. A resolution dedicating anticipated rehabilitation loan repayments that could be directed to the Housing
Trust Fund.
Goldman and the Commissioners discussed the ordinance and resolution making grammatical corrections as well
as recommendations.
The change of substance was 8.18 adding that the selection criteria shall be rated as indicated in the annual RFP
as reviewed and approved by the Housing Commission.
Smith opened the discussion for Public Testimony – No one spoke
When the resolution goes to the City Council Goldman said he anticipates the question “Why are you presenting a
Housing Trust Fund if you don’t have a revenue source to put into it.” In 2005 and 2006 Goldman had a number of
loan repayments come across his desk for an old CDBG program. Goldman noticed that a lot of money was repaid
for old rehab loans through that program. In questioning where those funds were going he asked Reid to look into
that loan program.
Reid replied that the resolution talks about the grant in 1985 for $478,968 to make energy conservation permits on
houses. The payoffs have been coming back and because they were not earmarked for anything they were put into
the General fund and used for capital improvements. The amount is down to a little under $100,000. Reid
suggested it would be a good time to allocate the money for the Housing Trust Fund. Goldman realizes that though
this might not produce any real revenue the idea is to have some initial revenue source that would go along with
this ordinance. Though this is not a sustainable revenue stream for the Housing Trust Fund it would be considered
a legal source of funding.
Goldman explained if the Council approves the Housing Trust Fund and the Resolution of the policies and
procedures they do that as one action. With that being created then they are asked the question “Will you approve
this Resolution to put money into?”
Hauck/Billin m/s that we forward this to the City Council with the recommendations that they adopt both
the ordinance and the resolutions. Voice Vote: Approved.
Benjamin commended Goldman and Reid for a job well done.
PUBLIC FORUM
Jason Elzy, with the Housing Authority of Jackson County commended the Commission for considering the two
Resolutions as they are a valuable tool for the housing developers in the valley. As an affordable housing
developer going out for funding sources without community support makes it almost impossible to receive the
necessary money to preserve housing, stated Mr. Elzy.
Cate Hartzel shared that she recently attended a summit on Homelessness in Salem. The meeting had a variety of
speakers and panels talking about what communities across the State have done in the way of implementing plans
for the homeless. Hartzel brought back materials from the meeting and distributed them to the Commissioners.
Hartzel had the opportunity to speak with Doug Carlson the Regional Director of HUD. Mr. Carlson believes the
housing crisis has not quite touched Oregon the same way it has the other states. Hartzel’s concern since the
rental analysis has come out is that due to some design factors in that study it might not have given a true picture of
what the rental market is really like in Ashland. Hartzel spoke with Mr. Carlson regarding ideas on how to update
the needs assessment. Hartzel said looking at identifying the ownership pattern is a vulnerability criteria the City
needs to identify as well as tracking the occupancy rate. Once the occupancy gets five percent or less we won’t be
having affordably housing stated Hartzel. Mr. Carlson said as the housing market begins to be problematic the
importance of rentals go up.
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Hartzel encouraged the Commissioners at their upcoming retreat to think about new goals to include homelessness
and dealing with vulnerable properties.
Lewis acknowledged that one of the biggest voids among the homeless with ICC is a mailing address for them so
they can continue to get the State services. Lewis said they are looking at the possibility of doing something with
the Peace House.
Goldman said that identifying ownership patterns and occupancy rates as well as tracking rental rate changes is not
something that is feasible. In our market there is no single source that can give us anything declared in terms of
vacancy rates. Individual property managers only know what the vacancy rates are for their properties and in many
cases only know the last month and not the last year for that period. Goldman said the rental needs analysis
indicated that in order to do a better rental needs analysis the City or the region should consider some sort of rental
registry program similar to the one the City of Medford recently adopted. The registry program tracks within their
jurisdiction what the number of rental units are, how much they are renting for as well as the occupancy rates.
COMMISSION ANNUAL RETREAT
The retreat will be July 12, 2008 at the Parks Department office located within Lithia Park at the intersection of
Winburn Way and Granite Street. 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Commissioners are to bring their Housing Manuals with them and the Housing Work plan.
Suggestions for topics of discussion:
Make up of the Commission-number of members and if the Council Liaison is a voting member or
not.
Priorities of the Action Plan
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Benjamin came across an interesting editorial from the New York Times dated May 26. The editorial explained that
in a New Jersey Jurisdiction one affordable unit is currently required for every eight market rate units and they are
suggesting making it one for every five. The downside is that it makes little economic sense to increase the
number of units since many small towns offer little job opportunity and no public transportation to places where the
jobs are located.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Regular Housing Commission meting July 24, 2008 at the Community Development Building 4:30-6:30. There is a
possibility that Billin and Frost may not be able to attend.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
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