Housing Commission

MINUTES HOUSING COMMISSION PURPOSE OF MEETING: The five-member Commission is appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The Housing Commission maintains awareness of housing needs and opportunities, including affordable housing; proposes housing policy initiatives and changes; investigates fair housing complaints and conciliates these complaints; mediates conflicts relating to the Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Act and offers reconciliatory services in conflicts relating to other housing laws. DATE OF MEETING: September 11, 2012 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, East Wing, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Commissioner Sprague at 6:35 pm THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Donald Brobst, Chair ___X___ Dana Lewis: ______X________ M.T. Gutmanis, Vice-Chair____X___ Sue Richter _________ Steve Sprague___X____ Tori McKinney____x___ Julio Idrobo______x ____ OTHERS PRESENT: ___________________________________________________________ TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: The minutes from the July 2012 meeting were approved. Affordable Housing Policy Work Group & Survey Update: Commissioners Brobst shared that he and Co-Chair Cheney met with City staff to receive input and clarification on the plan. The only contentious item was the one cent on the tax rate contribution by the City. Commissioner Sprague shared that we should have a rainy day fund that does not necessarily have to be tied to a project in case we need it. Staff Lewis shared that Wyatt felt we should add examples of what the funds would be used for. M.T. will review the policy and provide comments on behalf of the Housing Commission. When it goes for formal approval, the Commission will write a letter of support. At the next Policy meeting (Sept.12) Steve will have to miss half of the meeting. Housing Expo The Expo is scheduled for March 16, 2013 at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Staff Lewis is trying to get in touch with AHOME to see if they would like to possibly use their FY 2013 CDBG funding to purchase an ad for the event. Planning continues. Three hundred participants are expected. CDBG National Priorities Overview, Education Schedule and Process for reviewing Applications Commissioner Sprague shared how the CDHBG/HOME hearing and process will work. He passed out the priorities and shared information on the amount of funds available. Staff Lewis shared information about the applicants. The packets will be delivered by Dana and Sue. Chair Sprague shared how each commission member will serve as a lead reviewer on at least one grant request. He will meet with Staff Lewis to further discuss. The group also discussed the fact that the Falls Church Housing Corporation is rescinding approximately half of their FY 2013 CDBG funds. This is so that they do not have to adhere to a federal HUD requirement regarding the disposition of real property. The group voted to put this amount into FY 2014 next years amount. Falls Church Housing Corporation Update: Chair Sprague shared that he invited Executive Director, Jim Garrett to attend the meeting to share an update. Sprague has resigned from the Housing Corporation Board in order to serve as Chair. The Corporation annual meeting will be held on September 13, 2012 at the Winter Hill Community room. All are invited to attend. Merrill House Update Commissioner Gutmanis shared that the mice problem continues and is getting worse. The problem started in March 2009. They are exterminating floor by floor. Chair Sprague asked if the tenant organization has been meeting. Gutmanis shared that she has not had the time to conduct the meeting. They also have one tenant who has not been offered a lease. AIMCO has been unresponsive with regards to emergency planning for the building. Commissioner Idrobo update He would like to suggest that the Commission take the lead on creating an emergency plan that helps people in the City. They could assist in preparing a volunteer list for emergencies. The members agreed that this would be a good idea and that we should invite the City’s Fire Marshal to attend a meeting. It was suggested that maybe we could co-host a public meeting in which he attends and this is addressed. Staff Lewis was asked to invite him to the November meeting. HSAC will be invited as well. Commissioner Gutmanis asked would it make sense to invite other commissions and if so which ones? Perhaps an organization may use CDBG funds to purchase a generator for their building and emergency planning. Commissioner McKinney Update She is holding her own “Housing for Hipsters’ event. It will be held at Mad Fox Brewery and will have another name. She will be picking a date and hopes that the Housing Commission and City housing staff will be involved. Each invited vendor will bring a raffle prize. She is hoping to have it in October or early November. Fair Housing 101 Staff Lewis passed out the flyer for the Fair Housing 101 Workshop which will be held on September 20th. Rachel Susz from Fair Housing Management Consultants will once again conduct the training. All Commissioners are invited to attend. ADU Lottery 9-12-12 Staff Lewis shared that there is a one bedroom unit available at Pearson Square. There is a need to hold a lottery which will be held immediately before the Affordable Housing Policy meeting. All Commissioners are requested to attend. Commissioner Brobst will draw the name. TBRA Update: Staff Lewis reported that three families have been served with the available funds in the program. Affordable Housing Programs Update: Staff Lewis shared that the Presbyterian Church and Shelter House are cleared to build their group home at the Ives House location. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 8:30 pm SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703 248-5005, (TTY 711). DATE: ______________________________ MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: PLEASE SIGN IN FOR THE RECORD. Thank you. 1 16 2 17 3 18 4 19 5 20 6 21 7 22 8 23 9 24 10 25 11 26 12 27 13 28 14 29 15 30