HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-26 Housing & Human Services Committee MIN
Housing And Human ServicesCommittee
Minutes
June 26, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
Commissioner’sPresent:CouncilLiaison:
Bob Kaplan
Echo Fields
Montana Hauser
John Maher
Noah WerthaiserStaffPresent:
Montana HauserLinda Reid; Housing Program Specialist
Ashley LaubeSOULiaison:
Commissioner’sAbsentVacant
Vincent Tufts
Jim Dykstra
I.CALL TO ORDER: 4:06 p.m.
II.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
III.CONSENT AGENDA
A.Approval of May 22, 2025, Minutes
Werthaiser/Laube.M/S. Voice Vote: ALL AYES. The minutes from May 22,2025, meeting have
been approved with the correction of removing Rich Rohde from the attendance portion of
the minutes.
IV.PUBLIC FORUM (4:05-4:15 p.m.)
A.Public Forum.
N/A
V.NEW BUSINESS
A.Climate Friendly Areas Update:
Brandon Goldman, Community Development Director presented on the
provisions of the newly adopted Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities
Ordinance which might be of interest to the Housing and Human Servies Advisory
Committee.
B.Beach Creek RFP Review and Recommendation
Page 1 of 3
Housing And Human ServicesCommittee
Minutes
Jessica Therkelsen, executive Director for Trusted Homes,provided a brief
presentation of the proposed application and answered several questions. John
Maher provided a written motion with discussion points.
JM/NW -M/S,“I move that the City of Ashland reopen the Request for
Proposals (RFP) for the development of six single-family homes in the Beach
Creek subdivision. This decision is based on the evaluation of the sole
proposal received from Trusted Homes and Taylored Elements Construction,
which, while promising in some respects,presents several material risks and
weaknesses. Thes include concerns regarding the non-profit sponsor’s
limited organizational track record, and lackof experience with restricted
affordable housing, unconfirmed project financing, and potential challenges
in integrating the proposed affordable homes into an existing neighborhood
context. Reopening the RFP process will allow the City to solicit additional
proposals that better meet our goals for permanent affordability, high-quality
design, and equitable neighborhood integration”.
The motion was seconded for the purpose of discussion. Voice vote;Motion
failed.
NW/AL-M/S, Forward a recommendation to approve the Trusted Homes
application for award of the Beach Creek property development request for
proposals by the City Council.
Voice vote; five in favor, and one opposed.
C.Outreach Event Discussion
It was suggested that the workgroup reach out to Science Works to see if the
event can be held there. Maslow Project expressed an interest in being a part of
this year’s event. Additional participants suggested included Talent Maker City,
Ashland Scouts,and Rogue Credit Union. Laube and Werthaiser volunteered to
serve on the outreach eventworkgroup.
D.Update from Sunstone
Krista Palmer, Executive Director for Sunstone Housing Collaborative,
provided HHSACwith an updateon the housing development in
coordination with the school district.
VI.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A.City of Medford Affordable Housing Toolkit Review and Discussion
The Committee liked the toolkit and felt that the most likely action that the
Page 2of 3
Housing And Human ServicesCommittee
Minutes
HHSAC could take to support the development of need housing types would
be to hostanother affordable housing bus tour, create a myth busters
handout, and a toolkit for how to talk to neighbors and community
members about affordable housing, potentially as part of the Equitable
Housing Plan.
VII.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A.Liaison Reports
CouncilorKaplan presented the Council report.
B.General Announcements
VIII.AGENDA BUILDING –Future Meetings
Update from Noah about funding from the State to address Homelessness
Welcome and introductions from new members.
IX.ADJOURNMENT:6:10p.m.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please
email linda.reid@ashland.or.us. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable
arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1).
Page 3of 3