HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-24 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
JANUARY 24, 2001
CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order by Chair Larry Medinger at 4:15 p.m..
Other Commissioners present were Joan Legg, Nancy Richardson and Madeline Hill. Joe
McKeever arrived at 4:30 p.m. Carlus Harris, Jan Vaughn and Cate Hartzell were absent. Staff
present were Bill Molnar and Sue Yates.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The Minutes of the December 27, 2001 were approved.
GUESTS
CAROLINE RUCK, representing Youth Focus, explained that their group is trying to help
displaced youth. They are a corporation and have their non-profit status. They want to provide a
shelter for displaced youth. They have met with other agencies. They are coming to the Housing
Commission to find out how they can fit into the community. They have done just a little research
on sites for a shelter.
SUSIE AUFDERHIDE wondered if this group was going to talk about CDGB funding. Molnar said
Saturday at the retreat they will be hearing from groups but would not be discussing funding for
those groups.
Legg announced at 6:30 p.m. this evening there is a meeting of concerned citizens of the trailer
park on Ashland Street to be held at the Presbyterian Church.
Aufderhide noted that she was quite concerned about the displacement of trailer owners.
ASHLAND COMMUNITY LAND TRUST – REQUEST FOR FUNDING
Molnar said the Land Trust has a lot of things in the hopper right now and the biggest impediment
is the fact that the Land Trust is made up volunteers who have limited time. He is asking the
Housing Commission for their support to favorably recommend some sources of money be
allocated from the Housing Trust Fund or any other funds for a potential part-time staff person for
the ACLT to fund raise and do other administrative duties connected with some of the projects
going on. Molnar thought there was about $50,000 in the Housing Trust Fund. Medinger asked
for an exact figure. Hill would like to know how the money has been spent. Legg would like to
discuss this on Saturday with regard to staffing. Are we talking about staff for the Land Trust or
staff for the Housing Commission?
OVERVIEW OF CITY ASHLAND HOUSING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
Molnar wanted to give some background to the Commissioners so they would be prepared for
Saturday’s retreat. The Housing Commission deals with Goal 10 of the Statewide Housing
Goals. Implementation of housing goals occur through Ashland’s Land Use Ordinances, the
1990 Affordable Housing Plan and Consolidated Plan. He explained priorities and some initial
successes.
McKeever asked about vacant lots in Ashland. Molnar said it is mapped and we could tally the
lots. Staff concluded there was an adequate supply to accommodate the housing needs for the
next 20 years. The Council, at that time, did not recommend any changes to the Urban Growth
Boundary.
Medinger interjected that when you force the working class down the valley you create an
extraordinary transportation problem. He’s guessing there are about 5,000 people driving into
town each day to work. You just can’t have a city of people making $40,000 a year or more.
Molnar said maybe there is a way to get funds for public improvements or transportation and then
those funds could be used for housing. McKeever said one of the restaurant owners has taken
an interest in housing for his employees because many of his employees are moving out of town.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Keri Green
Green wants to make sure we have the agenda times agreed upon. Her suggestion to Hartzell is
that they reserve time for themselves until 2:30 in the afternoon and any guests can come in the
afternoon to review their work. Everyone was agreeable. Her expectation is they are doing a
quick strategic planning which will be a broad goal setting with an action plan. How do the
Commissioners see themselves using that time?
Legg said she would like to look at past things they have done. And, set broad goals and look at
how they see affordable housing. She would like to discuss staffing because she believes that
affects their future. She would like an outline of action plans. Who will be following up?
Richardson hoped they would come away with some pretty concrete goals for the next five years
and statistics they can take to the City Council. They need to focus on what needs to be done
and how to accomplish it.
Hill wanted to talk to someone on Friday about logistics. She would like concrete action goals
with assignments for members and dates.
McKeever believes the last two years have been devoted to the Land Trust and the Commission
has not taken on any other challenges. He is a Land Trust member and Commissioner. They
need an income stream for affordable housing. He wants to nail some things down with our
ordinances with regard to affordable housing. He would like much more public information
disseminated—a steady stream through some media form. He would like to see what could be
done about getting a vacant property inventory. He is trying to get owners of vacant property for
the Land Trust. If the Land Trust can get their name out there, they can pay the same as a buyer.
They could get first right of refusal.
Hill said they are looking at large landowners who wish to donate land to the Land Trust. She
does not believe they have even touched the donation market at all.
Medinger wants to know what is happening this next year. He would like to have a plan that hits
that hard and goes forward and involves Council action and support of their goals and objectives.
Hill believes affordable housing has never been as hot as it has been now.
Molnar believes one of the biggest benefits is to take each broad goal and break it down into
actions so at upcoming meetings there are subcommittees that can meet and work at getting
things done. He wants to have real specific items.
Green explained they want to have their goals and action plan in place before the guests arrive.
If the guests are coming in to work with a common goal, that could be effective, but if they are
coming with their own agenda, that would be different.
Molnar suggested the guests could be there to offer suggestions to the action plan rather than
bringing up new goals.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
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ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
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