Community Development Advisory Board

Community Development Advisory Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM October 10, 2024 Mayor's Boardroom Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Community Development Advisory Board meeting was called to order by the Chair at 6:00 PM. 1. Introductions Present: Karin Jones (Chair), Andrew Calkins, Aran Clauson, Deidra Prado, Jasmine Fast, Josh Sanders, Katherine Freimund, Matt Unger, and Shannon Laws Jace Cotton (Council Representative) Absent: Ben Spicer, Jake Hawes and Ryan Wood City Staff: Samya Lutz, Kathleen Morton and Taylor Webb 2. Approval of minutes from previous meeting Minutes from September 2024 were approved by general consensus 3. Link to Meeting Video Click here to view the meeting Public Comment Period During this time, citizens may take up to three (3) minutes to address the members about any topic not on the agenda. Citizens wishing to speak during this time will be recognized by the Chair for comment. Ariana, Human Services student at WWU, came to watch the meeting and introduced herself to the board. Jon Stubblefield, former CDAB member and staff at Western’s Basic Needs Hub, mentioned a few different upcoming events that may be an interest to board members: Hunger and Homeless awareness week (November 18th) and a WWU hosted event during Housing Week (October 15th). Agenda Items Presentation 1. Max Higbee Daytime Program Presentation p. 2 Kait Whiteside, executive director of the Max Higbee Center, gave a presentation about the Weekday Program which receives funding from City of Bellingham Human Services Grant. The program is for people with developmental disabilities to socialize and engage in local programming. 2. BWCHA Development Pipeline Presentation p. 3 Andrew Calkins, executive director of the Bellingham Whatcom County Housing Authority, gave a brief presentation outlining a few affordable housing development projects that are being planned in Bellingham. A more in-depth presentation was given to Council on October 7th.  3. Housing Preservation Funds for New YWCA Shelter for FWC p. 4 A new shelter for families with children is proposed by YWCA on Lakeway Dr. Staff is requesting that the board approve up to $600,000 of housing preservation funds for the new shelter, with the exact dollar amount to be known contingent on a capital needs assessment. This will also go to City Council for approval on October 21st. Aran Clauson moves to approve the $600,000 funding allocation contingent on a capital needs assessment, Jasmine Fast seconds. All in favor, motion approved. Work Session 1. A&F Plan Discussion p. 5 Staff provided a proposed budget for the A & F Plan to the board members. KCLT sent a comment letter requesting to increase the low-income homebuyer assistance portion of the budget from 7% to 8%. The board had a robust discussion about whether this budget increase seemed feasible or not. The A & F plan will go before Council mid-November. Matt Unger made a motion to approve the budget as originally proposed by staff and revisit the budget again in two years, second by Aran Clauson. Jasmine opposed, recommends increasing low-income homebuyer assistance to 8% as requested by KCLT and reducing production and preservation by 1%. The rest of the board members are in favor, motion approved. Matt Unger made a motion to approved the entire A & F Plan as proposed by staff, second by Karin Jones. Jasmine opposed in-keeping with her previous concerns. The rest of the board members are in favor, motion approved. 2. Review of NOFA process p. 54 Samya gave an overview of the proposed changes to the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to reflect language in the updated Consolidated Plan. Then Kathleen gave an overview of the NOFA process with a particular focus on the Housing & Human Services NOFA including applications requirements, scoring criteria for evaluation, and timeline. A primary change to the NOFA was changing/ updating the language about priority populations to reflect the updated Consolidated Plan language and stated priorities. Matt Unger recommended keeping the previous NOFA language about priority populations rather than removing. Staff recommended that board members reach out to staff directly with additional concerns and feedback. 3. Public Facing CAPER p. 111 Due to lack of time, not much time was spent on this agenda item. Staff recommended that board members reach out to staff directly with any feedback. Other Business 1. Staff Updates • Taylor will no longer be staffing CDAB • Staff briefly addressed recent concerns regarding NWYS, staff has used this time to “lean in” to remaining staff and ensure programs continue to be supported • Annual rental market study has been conducted and Taylor will share results with the board 2. Annoucements / "What's the Buzz" • Way Station is hosting an open house soon • Housing Week next week: Whatcom Housing Week 2024 – Whatcom Housing Alliance 3. Future Agenda Items Adjourned at 8:05pm Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Taylor Webb, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Community Development Advisory Board members.