Housing Advisory Committee

Chair Laurel Gourd Vice Chair Laurel Rios Lana Richardson AGENDA David Shaw Housing Advisory Committee Monday, July 17, 2023 - 10:00 AM Steven Pinsky Calistoga Community Center Page 1. ROLL CALL 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comments is an opportunity to address the Housing Advisory Committee on items of interest to the public that do not appear on the agenda. Comments should be limited to three minutes. The Committee cannot consider any issues or act on items raised during Public Comments. 3. CONSENT AGENDA 3.1. Approval of Draft Minutes from July 26, 2023 3-4 HAC Draft Minutes 06262023 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1. Housing Element Implementation Discussion 4.2. Discussion of Article by Kevin Hendrick, “In My View: Mammoth Housing Developments” 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.1. Update on School District Site 6. COMMITTEE MEMBERS' COMMENTS & REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION 7. ADJOURNMENT I declare that a copy of this agenda was posted at City Hall, 1232 Washington Street, among other locations within the Calistoga city limits, on July 12, 2023 no later than 4:30 p.m. Lauren Clark, Secretary to the HAC SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: Each City entity offers public programs, services, and meetings in a manner that is reasonably accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Each City entity complies with all applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and California law, and does not discriminate against any person with a disability. If a person with a disability requires information or materials in an appropriate alternative format (or any other reasonable accommodation), or needs any assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact Lauren Clark at 707.942.2763 or lclark@ci.calistoga.ca.us. In making a request for Page 2 of 4 assistance, advance notice to the City 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make suitable arrangements. Page 3 of 4 Item #3.1. CITY OF CALISTOGA HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 26, 2023, at the Community Center at 10:00 a.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members present: Chair Laurel Gourd, Vice, Lana Richardson, Steven Pinsky, David Shaw. Staff members present: Jeff Mitchem, Lauren Clark Absent: Vice Chair Rios 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA There were no public comments received. 3. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Draft Minutes from May 15, 2023 is approved unanimously. 4. NEW BUISNESS A. FY 2023-2024 City Council Priority #2 Chair Gourd begins the discussion by comparing the changes to the goals from the following fiscal year. Committee member Pinsky asks for clarification on the definition of Human Capital to which Director Mitchem responds. Chair Gourd expresses overall support of the priorities, yet they could be more objective. She mentions that there appears to be contradictions when it comes to staffing as stated in priority one and two. Committee member Pinsky asks how the committee can encourage the City Council to focus on fulfilling the most pressing housing needs objectively. Discussion ensues about how the Housing Element will promote the objective actions needed to prioritize housing. Committee member Richardson asks if the any Council members have had the opportunity to talk with Director Mitchem about their questions or concerns before considering the adoption of the current draft of the Housing Element at the next City Council meeting. Director Mitchem responds by explaining that the City Council works directly with City Manager only. City staff are not authorized to communicate with the Council. The committee members consider inviting Council members to the next HAC meeting since the rule does not apply to them. Director Mitchem presents the staff report to be included in the packet for the City Council meeting on July 18th, 2023. Discussion ensues about self-certification vs state certification of the Housing Element. Director Mitchem explains that the Council can self-certify but the state must also certify the document before it is officially adopted. Chair Gourd expresses that the Council Priorities are not objective enough to encourage direct action and would like to direct her support of the City Council by helping to implement the Housing Element. Discussion ensues about having a housing subcommittee. Committee member Pinsky asks about a specific property on Earl and Eddie, that the committee could advise the Council to pursue to fulfill the need for middle income housing. Chair Gourd suggests to the committee to wait until the Housing Element is adopted before advising the Council. Discussion ensues about starting work on implantation of the Housing Element after the City Council approves it with the understanding that it is likely that the state will approve the final draft. Discussion returns to the City owned property on Earl and Eddie. Director Mitchem explains that the site is too small to be desirable to developers. There is record of an RFP years ago, but there is no record of what came of it. Discussion ensues about Page 4 of 4 Item #3.1. Housing Advisory Committee Draft Minutes June 26, 2023 Page 2 of 2 fourplex on 1412 Cedar as it could be converted into a multistory multifamily unit and other properties around the City. Director Mitchem states that there are no other City owned sites that could be used for housing. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Housing Element Update Chair Gourd presents a public comment she has drafted to be submitted to City Council for the next meeting on July 18th. In the comment it states the committee’s support of the Housing Element as it stands and supports its adoption. The draft is edited by the committee. A motion by Committee member Pinsky to approve the public comment with revisions is seconded by committee member Richardson and approved unanimously. Director Mitchem explains the contents of the staff report and how he plans to facilitate the discussion between Council members at Council meeting. 6. COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ IDEAS & REQUESTS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION Chair Gourd suggests that the committee begin the discussion of Housing Element implementation with the assumption that it will be adopted by City Council and the state. Director Mitchem addresses the fact that the Housing Element is not on the current City Council Priorities. Discussion ensues about adding a line in the Public Comment advising that the City Council revise the City Council Priorities to include the implantation of the Housing Element. The committee revises the public comment to include the recommendation to revise the City Council’s Priority #2 to include Housing Element implementation. A motion by Chair Gourd to approve the revision is seconded by committee member Richardson and approved unanimously. Discussion continues about plans for the next meeting. It is agreed by the committee that each of the committee members review Chapter 8 of the Housing Element and choose four priorities to focus on. At the next meeting staff agree to provide a matrix and a copy of Chapter 8 for convenience. Committee member Richardson asks about the housing laws that will be coming into effect soon. Director Mitchem responds by saying that City Attorney would have a better answer for the committee. He will inquire and report back to the committee. Chair Gourd announces that the project manager of the Yellow Rose project has requested to present to the committee. It is unclear what influence the committee has on the project since it is already underway. Director Mitchem suggests requesting that the project manager submit their presentation and how it aligns with the Housing Advisory Committee’s goals. Otherwise, they have the right to make a public comment for three minutes if they choose to participate in the next meeting. Discussion ensues about the committee’s focus on influencing policy. Chair Gourd also requests an update during future meetings about the school district site. Director Mitchem is in contact with Audra Pittman and will provide updates as they are provided. The meeting is adjourned at 11:32 am