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: June 17, 2015 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: ___Julio Idrobo AT ____6:49 PM____ THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Julio Idrobo, Chair ___x____ Dana Lewis: _____X_ ______ Tori McKinney Vice Chair ___X ___ Paul Stanford: _____X ____ Don Brobst ___ _X___ Nancy Vincent:___________ M.T. Gutmanis __X__ Council Liaison Tommy Goodwin ___________ Mary Beth Connelly – Council Liaison __ FCHC Liaison Planning Commission Liaison Thomas Vaccaro ____ _ ______ Lindy Hockenberry _________ FCPS Student Representative Visitors Camille Borga _____ Laura Hicks ____X___ Kathleen Louisa ____X__ Patricia Rodriguez __X____ Dotti Biller ____X____ Lindolfo Carballo ____X______ Paula Goldman ____X_____ TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Approval of Minutes: The minutes for May were approved. Broadfalls Tenant Meeting Debrief – Chair Idrobo expressed his appreciation on hearing the complaints of the tenants and thanked Housing Commissioners, HHS staff, CASA’s Lindolfo Carballo, and Council members for their attendance. Vice Chair McKinney expressed her appreciation in management’s willingness to be more assessable to tenants. Vice Chair McKinney suggested ongoing tenant feedback of property improvements as next steps. Commissioner Gutmanis suggested newly formed Broadfalls tenant committee to sit with management. The group asked Lindolfo his thoughts. He will get the names of all of the tenants who volunteered to serve on the committee. Julio has some of this information and will provide. Once he gets all the names he will contact them to meet and begin process of working with property manager. Broadfalls residents in attendance shared that while they are hopeful, there are plumbing issues and the air conditioning has not been working for a week. Management has sent notice that they are ordering parts for the air conditioner and work should be completed soon. The Commission told tenants that it is the Commission’s role is to facilitate communication between the tenants and management. At this point we will continue to “check in” but the real work will now begin with the tenant group. Fair Housing Training – So far two properties have confirmed their attendance for the Fair Housing training on June 25, 2015. Commissioners Brobst, McKinney, and Gutmanis confirmed their attendance along with CASA representative Lindolfo Carballo. Introduction to new Intern Tim Wildman – Mr. Wildman was not in attendance to be formally introduced. Housing Research Support Need for Affordable Housing Pt. 2 – Chair Idrobo expressed the idea of exploring micro-apartments to increase the amount of affordable housing options in the City. Chair Idrobo plans to invite micro-apartment developers to a future Housing Commission meeting. Commissioner Brobst expressed the idea of partnering with neighboring jurisdictions for joint venture housing development opportunities. Chair Idrobo plans to reach out to neighboring jurisdiction housing commissioners to discuss this possibility. Sprague Liaison Reports – All Commissioners and FCHC Don Brobst – He passed. MT Gutmanis – No updates at Merrill House Tori McKinney – She passed – left meeting early. Dana Lewis – Announced proposed redevelopment of Merrill House still in draft/planning stages. Julio Idrobo – Proposed use of future cash proffers to be used as leverage to gain additional units in possible Merrill House redevelopment. Chair Idrobo moved next Housing Commission meeting to August 11, 2015. OTHER Commission voted to not have a meeting in July and they will resume in August at the regular August 11, 2015 date. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: ______7:45 PM_____________________ SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: _____Paul H. Stanford _______________ 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).