Community Development Advisory Board

Community Development Advisory Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM April 13, 2023 Mayor's Boardroom Audio Recorded https://meetings.cob.org -Call to Order The Community Development Advisory Board (video) meeting was called to order by the Chair at 6:00 PM. 1. Introductions Present: Aran Clauson (Chair), Brien Thane, Jennifer Miles, Jonathan Scanlon, Jonathan Stubblefield, Karin Jones, Ryan Wood, Shannon Laws, Victor Crosetti and Yin-Ho Lai Absent: Pierce Bock and Suneeta Eisenberg City Staff: Samya Lutz, Kate Bartholomew and Heather Aven 2. Approve March Minutes p. 3 Minutes from March 9, 2023 were approved by general consensus. 3. Link to Meeting Video Click here to view the meeting Public Comment Period Agenda Items Work Session 1. 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan & 2023 Action Plan p. 6 Kate Bartholomew provided an update on some additional community surveys staff have conducted since the draft Consolidated Plan was made public and shared some of the response statistics. She reviewed the goals from the plan with members. 2. 2023 Action Plan Budget p. 156 Samya Lutz reviewed the existing commitments as well as the new proposed activities and the proposed level of funding that align with the goal in the Consolidated Plan. She requested the members recommend approval of the budget which would then be brought before City Council for approval. MOTION: A. Clauson moved and Brien Thane seconded to adopt the Action Plan budget as substantially similar to that presented and discussed. VOTE: ALL AYES  3. Review NOFA Applications p. 159 Kate Bartholomew reviewed the rankings submitted by the members and highlighted those that had a wide range. There was a discussion about how the rankings were arrived at, and some of the ways the rubric affected the scores. Housing Services Recommendations: Based on the discussion, members assigned a final tier to each application that will determined the funding allocation being recommended. Human Services Recommendations: Based on the discussion, members assigned a final tier to each application that will determined the funding allocation being recommended. There was general agreement that if WDRC Housing Stability did not need the funding they requested from the City, staff would increase applicable funding allocations to match the applicant’s request based on the agreed upon tiers. Other Business 1. Staff Updates Samya stated that the new state law that allows four- and six-plexes in single-family zoning is something on the Planning and Community Development Department radar. 2. Announcements / "What's the Buzz" 3. Future Agenda Items • Housing and new legislature passed • ADU State Bill • Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program Updates • Family Systems Solution Group • Verbal summary on the Project Update page • LMM Director speak to the Board (Housing first vs. Housing ready) • Housing accessibility barriers (unable to use vouchers) • Wrap-around funding (State level) • Enforcement for Air BnB • 2022 state legislative session – specifically renter protections • A speaker on the business side of housing and real estate development (Kate suggested members watch the recent Housing Week session on “Making Affordable Housing Pencil” and shared link). Let staff know if there is still interest in this topic. • A policy discussion in light of the close defeat of recent City Ballot Initiative 1. • A staff presentation from BHA about how the voucher system works (Section 8 and local forms of rent assistance) • Presentation on role of non-profit vs role of government entity and ways they overlap and how they differ. • Balance homeownership and the gap in funding. • Additional discussion on ways to measure equity. Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Community Development Advisory Board members.