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: May 12, 2015 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: ___Julio Idrobo AT ____6:35 PM____ THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Julio Idrobo, Chair ___x____ Dana Lewis: _____X_ ______ Tori McKinney Vice Chair ___X ___ Paul Stanford: _____ ____ Don Brobst ___ ____ Nancy Vincent:___________ M.T. Gutmanis __X__ Council Liaison Tommy Goodwin ___X________ Mary Beth Connelly – Council Liaison __ FCHC Liaison Planning Commission Liaison Thomas Vaccaro ____ _ ______ Lindy Hockenberry _____x____ FCPS Student Representative Visitors Camille Borga ___x___ Laura Hicks ____X___ Kathleen Louisa ____X__ Patricia Rodriguez __X____ Dotti Biller ____X____ Lisa Varouxis ____X___ TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Approval of Minutes: The minutes for April were approved. Mason Row Update –The Housing Commission memo was submitted to Council. Community volunteer Ron Brousseau also submitted comments to council. The timeline process for this project for 2nd reading will be over the summer. CDBG/HOME Audit – Staff Lewis shared that HHS had a successful CDBG/HOME audit with no findings. Housing Research to Support Need for Affordable Housing – The Falls Church Housing Corporation has hired a consultant to conduct a housing study. The plan is for him to work closely with the Housing Research Intern. This information will be useful for future projects. Fair Housing Training – This training is being planned for June and will be conducted by Fair Housing Management Consultants. This is the company that conducts Fair Housing Testing for the City. All property managers in the City will be invited. Broad Falls Tenant Meeting Planning – Chair Idrobo shared that the meeting will be at St. James Catholic Church in June. Casa de Virginia will be invited to talk to tenants and help get the word out. The group detailed an agenda which will include: • rent increases • utility changes • poor management • explanation of new changes since 2014 • tenant concerns • communication Sprague Liaison Reports – All Commissioners and FCHC Tommy Goodwin – He passed. MT Gutmanis – The air at Merrill House has not been turned on yet. Camille Borga - She does not have anything to report from school. Tori McKinney – She is really busy. Julio Idrobo – He has a proposal for structuring the Housing Commission meetings differently. The goal would be to have the meeting run smoother and end earlier. Second part of the PPEA is being developed by procurement and the selection committee. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: ______8:30 PM_____________________ SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: _____Dana Lewis_______________ 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).