HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-08 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
CDBG AWARD CONTINUANCE MEETING
March 8, 2005
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Matt Small called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. at the Community Development and Engineering Services building
in the Siskiyou Room located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR 97520.
Commissioners Present:
Matt Small, Chair
Alice Hardesty
Liz Peck
Don Mackin
Carol Voisin
Absent Members
:
Faye Weisler
Amy Korth
Kim Miller (recused)
ouncil Liaison:
C Cate Hartzell, absent (recused)
SOU Liaison:
None
Staff Present:
Brandon Goldman, Housing Specialist
2.STAFF REVIEW of PRIOR MEETING
–
Goldman briefly went over the competing proposals. Goldman explained that during the course of the last hearing the
Habitat for Humanity proposal was modified by the applicants to reduce their request from $156,000 to $63,000,
effectively requesting the Commission divide the $190,000 available and recommend 2 awards. Goldman reiterated staffs
recommendation that RVCDC be awarded the full $190,000 requested. He further explained that the Commission could
recommend dividing the award as proposed by Habitat for Humanity and the Fordyce Street Co-Housing Community,
however they would need to consider whether it would undermine the feasibility of the RVCDC proposal. Further
Goldman explained that 2 awards essentially doubles the administrative responsibilities of the City, which was a concern
when the limit of one award, or a maximum of two, was initially established.
3.PUBLIC FORUM
–
No one came forth to speak.
4.COMMISSION DELIBERATION –
Liz Peck indicated that she leans toward funding the RVCDC proposal because its ready to go and that she’d hate to
reduce the funds and potentially undermine the project.
Carol Voison questioned staff regarding the concerns of the RVCDC project, specifically relocation assistance and
readiness to proceed. Goldman explained that in RVCDC’s proposal they provided a very optimistic relocation cost of
$2000, whereas staff’s figure, $30,000, is a very conservative estimate. He said actual relocation costs are likely
somewhere between the two at about $10,000 and that RVCDC had indicated in the prior hearing that their project could
absorb this cost. Regarding the readiness to proceed, and RVCDC’s capacity, Goldman stated that Staff was concerned
that the current RVCDC proposal could divert attention from their larger Self Help project. He also explained that RVCDC
indicated in the prior hearing that their staff had increased from 4 to 7 to increase their overall capacity.
Don Mackin questioned RVCDC as to whether they could minimize relocation costs by staging the rehabilitation of the
units to complete the vacant one first, and then move the residents of the next unit into the completed one, then again with
the final household. Ron Demele (RVCDC executive Director) stated that they could look into such staging and that they
have revised their relocation cost estimate to be $5000 to $10,000. Mackin questioned whether RVCDC was still having
difficulty finding families for the Self Help project. Demele stated they have all the families needed at this point.
Matt Small said that he felt both projects have merit, and that he likes the co-housing project a lot. He’d like to reward the
co-housing project for committing to have all their units, not just the two habitat units, affordable. Voicing his concerns
with the Co-housing proposal Small stated: “I have reservations approving a project that is under appeal…I also feel that
the affordable units will happen without our [CDBG] assistance”. He further stated that he did not believe the RVCDC
project would go through without a CDBG award.
Alice Hardesty concurred with Small stating “…even if it were approved by Council, the Co-Housing project could be
further appealed…I like the project but don’t think we should wait.” Mackin questioned staff as to the next award cycle
and the potential availability and use of HOME funds. Goldman explained that HOME would not be applicable to a two
unit ownership project, and that the Fordyce Street Co-housing community and Habitat could potentially apply for CDBG
funds for the 2006 program year next February. At that point unanswered question over an appeal and readiness to proceed
would be resolved.
5. COMMISSION MOTION
Voison moved to recommend to Council that the RVCDC project be approved as presented. Peck seconded the motion
and Small called for a voice vote. All votes were in favor and the motion passed.
10. ADJOURNMENT
– The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Brandon Goldman, Housing Specialist
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
2
MINUTES
March 08, 2005