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: April 9, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, Third Floor, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chairman Sprague at 5:30 pm THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Steve Sprague, Chair ___x___ Dana Lewis: _____x_________ Julio Idrobo, Vice-Chair ___x___ Sue Richter _________ Donald Brobst ___x____ Kevin Denton ___________ Tori McKinney ____x___ M.T. Gutmanis _____x____ OTHERS PRESENT: None TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: ______________________________________________________ The formal meeting was preceded by a visit to Ives House in celebration of Community Development Block Grant Week 2013. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the March 12, 2013 meeting were approved. New Business The Housing Commission reviewed and prepared general comments on 301 West Broad Street (Harris Teeter/Apartments) Special Request. Chairman Sprague will prepare a response by April 26 th based on the general consensus of the Housing Commission. Specifically, he will point out that the proposal meets the minimum requirements as defined in the current Affordable Housing Policy but does offer anything above the minimum. The group voted to accept in advance the comments that will be prepared that incorporate the development discussion. It was requested that the Housing Commission be notified of future housing related developer meetings in advance to allow for its participation. The Northgate developer is working with city staff for issues concerning Affordable Housing in the project. Old Business Affordable Housing Policy Work Group Appreciation Night – The appreciation night has been tentatively changed to Mad Fox. The get together will be held on April 16 at 6:00 pm for Commissioners and members of the workgroup. The date and time are subject to changed based on availability of commissioners and members of the working group. Staff Report - Lewis Fair Housing Month – Fair Housing Training will be provided to the City Council on April 29th at 7:30 p.m. Housing Expo Debrief - The Northern Virginia Housing Expo took place on Friday March 16, 2013 at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School from 10 am to 2 pm. The Expo featured workshops and exhibits designed to educate the attendees about location options, buying or renting and more. The event was success with hundreds of exhibitors and others attendees at the event. Next meeting is May 14th. The meeting was adjourned on the motion of Commissioner Brobst and seconded by Commissioner McKinney. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 6:45 pm SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Donald G. Brobst. Jr. DATE: May 6, 2013