Community Development Advisory Board

Community Development Advisory Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM May 8, 2025 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: Shannon Laws (Chair), Andrew Calkins, Ben Spicer, Deidra Prado, Jasmine Fast, Katherine Freimund, Lola Thompson, Matt Unger, Matthew Main, and Nina Rommelmann Absent: Ryan Wood City Staff: Samya Lutz and Kathleen Morton 2. Approval of minutes from previous meeting April minutes were approved as amended 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. Two members of the public joined the meeting, Ava Pool an Urban Planning student and Virgina MacDaniel representing Habitat for Humanity. Agenda Items Presentation . Presentation on Safe Start Program from DVSAS p. 5 Elizabeth Hart from DVSAS provided an overview of the Safe Start Program in which the city partially funds. The presentation highlighted their work with prevention, education and support. An overview of the services DVSAS provides was given with details on how community members can volunteer to become an advocate. . Funding Sources Overview p. 6 COB staff informs CDAB members that the HUD Action Plan was approved by Council on Monday. COB provides an overview of the variety of funding sources that make up the Housing & Services Program within the Planning & Community Development Division.  Staff provide an overview of HOME, LEVY, CDBG, Sales Tax and other funding sources while providing a brief overview of some of their eligible uses and restrictions. . HomeShare Bellingham Overview p. 7 Laura Welker from Aging Well Whatcom provided an overview of the Aging Well Whatcom Blueprint, which highlighted initiatives to foster wellness for aging members of the community. One of those strategies is related to housing, specifically home sharing. Due to the advocacy of this group, COB is supporting a pilot a home share program directed not only to aging members of the community but all age demographics. Home Share Bellingham program will be supported by Nesterly who will be providing an online platform and outreach efforts will begin in mid-late summer. Website where community members will have access to more information will be available soon. Other Business . Staff Updates . Announcements / "What's the Buzz" . Future Agenda Items When CDAB members return in August we will begin reviewing the draft CAPER as well as the Administrative and Financial Plan. COB staff will also continue to incorporate presentations from COB funded programs. Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Kathleen Morton, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Community Development Advisory Board members.