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: November 12, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, East Wing, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Steve Sprague at 6:45 (pm) THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Steve Sprague, Chair ___x___ Dana Lewis: ______X___ Julio Idrobo, Vice-Chair ___x___ Donald Brobst __X_____ Council Tori McKinney __X_____ M.T. Gutmanis _____X______ Jaymar Joseph- FC Housing Corporation X TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the CDBG Public Hearings on Oct 8 and October 15, 2013 were approved. New Business: • Housing Commission Elections – Chairman Sprague shared that elections need to be held for Chair and Vice Chair.. A motion was made for Chairman Sprague to be nominated for Chair by M.T. Gutmanis. It was seconded by Don Brobst. A second motion was made by M.T. Gutmanis for Julio Idrobo to serve as Vice- Chair. Both accepted nominations and were approved by two motions made by MT Gutmanis and Don Brobst. • CDBG Recommendations for Council – Commission members reviewed a copy of recommendations on funding amounts. Chairman Sprague was asked to present commission recommendations to Council on November 25 2013. Staff passed out  a change in the budget amount requested from The Falls Church Housing Corporation. • ADU sales and Price Approvals for 2014 - The commission approved the 2014 rents that were provided. However the sales prices were not available. A motion was made and seconded to assign Chairman Sprague the ability to approve the sales prices during the week when they are presented (This took place on November 15, 2013). Old Business • Commissioner and Falls Church Housing Corporation Roundtable Updates Commissioner Gutmanis shared that there is new management at Merrill House and that there is some major rehab that is going to take place. Commissioner McKinney shared that she will be having a promotional housing event at Mad Fox the next day (Nov. 13, 2013) and all Commission members are invited to attend and invite others. Commission Member Julio Idrobo shared that he would like to see the Commission get more involved with housing related issues in the City. M. Josephs from the Falls Church Housing Corporation invited all Commission members to attend an Open House that they will be holding December. • Housing Commission Annual Report – Chair Sprague shared that he will be working on this. Staff Report • CDBG/HOME Update – Staff Lewis thanked everyone for participating in the process. • First Time Homebuyer Program Update – Staff Lewis shared that there is possible additional buyer looking to use the funds. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 8:30 pm SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Dana Lewis