HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-0419.SS.MIN MINUTES FOR THE :~TUDY SESSION
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
April 19, 2000
Civk Center Council Chambers, 1175 E Main Street
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Shaw called ~he meeting to order at t :41 p.m., in the ~ivic Center Council Chambers.
IN ATTENDANCE
Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hanson, and Wheeldon were ~reseor. Staff present included Associate Planner
Maria Harris and Assistant City Administrator Greg Stoles. 4
DRAFT CDBG 2000-2004 CONSOLIDATED PLAN
Associate Plarmer Maria Harris presented the Draft CDBG 2000-04 Consolidated Plan and explained that the city
receives approximately $220,000 a yeer in Community Deve'~pmeor Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Developmant (HUD) for projects benefiting low and moderate income resideuts.
As a condition of receiving these federal funds, the City is re~ uimd to have a "strategic plan" for spending the
money. In edditiun, the City is required to update the Consol ~deted Plan every five years in order to continue
receiving these CDBG funds.
Harris explained that some changes proposed in the draft plan include creating living wage jobs and instelling tra~c
calming measures in CDBG-eligible neighborhoods. Noted toat rankings of some spending priorities have been
included, along with some criteria for making the annual grants to local public service agencies. She noted that
turn-over in the budget subcommittee membership makes it difficult when awarding funds to local public service!
agencies, and suggested that council consider including members of the Housing Commission or the Social and '
Human Services Committee who have some experience in this process.
Harris explained that pan of the update process is that two pu31ic hearings are nquired. One hearing must be he~d
during the development of the plan, and one hearing held aftera draft is completed. The first public hearing was l
held March 22"d by the Housing Commission and the Social and Human Services Committee. The second pobli~
hearing on the draft plan will be held at the City Council meeting on May 2~.
Wheeldon commented on how un-affordable rents are in this Community and sWassed the importance of bringing,
this issue into the discussion. i
Laws expressed his concern with eating up "multiple family" ]lends with single family housing units, and expressed
his support of the Ashland Community Land Trust program.;
Council discussed the role of property values, homing costs md taxes in setting rents.
Larry MedingerfMedlnger Construetton/P O Box 702/Noted that there arc large numbers of people who are a i
part of this community who live outside the city. Urged the Council to do everything it can to reverse this Wend, br
see all service personnel living outside the city. Noted the example of Burlington, Vermont where the city
sequestered away 21% percent of housing stock to keep it affordable for people who work in the city. Also noted
that the city's Systems Development Charges are possibly the highest in the state, but recognized that this isn't a ]
huge factor in the affordability of housing. Noted that a builcer can watch
Reid emphasized that there is a need to keep affordable hous" g in mind before increasing Community
Development fees, as Ashland has nearly the highest fees in ~ state.
Medinger stated that the city is aggressive in charging fees to ~levelopment, but recognized that this was not all bad.
way out of the affordable housing problem.
Councilor Wheeldon left the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Shaw noted Medinger's suggestion to charge SDC's based on~ house size rother than fixtures to encourage sma!l~
houses and decrease the use of resources. Stated that this would also encourage people to fix up existing homes.
Council Study Session4-19-2000 Page I of 2
Medinger noted that he has been appointed to a task force by l he Governor to address disU'ibution of incentive fun&
generated out of the lottery to help applicants do good planni ~g in the state of Oregon. Explained that housing is a
big part of this, and monies will likely be available to addresg' some of these issues during the current bienninrn.
Laws stated that this is the best report he has seen eddrassingi he issue of poverty for a specific community, and
voiced his reservations about the amount and degree ofpove~
may distort figures somewhat. Emphasized that the ~port w~
Reid and Shaw concurred, and recognized Harris for her wol
Harris noted that the "free market" approach to awarding CE
council to be aware that this process elm be changed at the c~
so desired. Harris continned for Freeman that the Land Tin5
CLAY STREET JURISDICTIONAL EXCHANGE/LOC
This item was postponed to a later date.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:1S p.m.
Submitted by Barbara Christensen
City Recorder/Treasurer
y in the community as he feeis that voluntary poverty
~ much appreciated and very helpful.
on the city's behalf in the Planning Department.
~G funds continues, and stated that she would like the
mcil's disc~tion to support specific programs if they
will be competing in the process for CDBG funds.
~L IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Council Study ~ssion 4-19-2000 Page 2 of 2