Connecting Us - Sustaining Progress (CUSP)

CUSP Housing and Transportation Subcommittee Meeting Minutes – February 5, 2020 The meeting was called to order at 6:44 p.m. Present: Stephanie Rose, Chair; Chad Murdoch, Anne Johnson, Todd DeVries, Rebecca Long-Piper, Amy Jenkins, Barbara Dahl Absent: Julene Haworth Discussion: The committee discussed that assigned/suggested scope and deliverables from the vision committee are very broad in scope in two equally essential and important areas for the residents of Idaho Falls - Housing and Transportation. The group recognized that we need to commence by defining our project and limiting the scope of what can realistically be achieved, separating work on housing and transporta- tion. From this overview, the committee moved on to brainstorming/question-asking session that lasted for the rest of the meeting. Members discussed, in broad terms, the presentations to the group over the last several weeks. They brainstormed thoughts, feedback, takeaways, questions and information voids. • What funding (grants, donations, etc.) are we missing out on? • Tax Credits and other incentives? Historic Preservation and Low Income tax credit programs and how they are applied. • What voids could be met by volunteer programs? Example - Transportation for cancer patients under- going chemo (Brittany Ohman). • What will it take to achieve a paradigm shift/mindset/cultural shift and create political will? Changing and developing new habits is difficult (fear v. logic). Lack of awareness of how problems affect others - challenge decision-makers to walk to work for a week. • High cost solutions (infrastructure) vs. Low cost solutions (improving efficiency/communication in City departments, i.e. snow removal). • What is the mindset of the real estate developers? • Revitalization v. Gentrification - a concern • O. E. Bell building rehabilitation - positive effect reducing slum and blight in surrounding residential neighborhood • Possible affordable housing solutions seen in other areas - rent caps, land trusts, rental regulation or rental improvement programs involving accountability of both landlords and tenants • Innovative housing happening now: Snake River Landing, The Bonneville Apartments/Downtown lofts • With housing - should the committee focus primarily on the working poor? Other high risk/high need populations have very difficult issues (addiction, mental illness) that consume huge resources. Con- necting working poor with resources and services - would this be effective and best use of resources within the scope of the CUSP project? Assignments All committee members: Return next meeting with answers in order to move on to project definition and planning. Address Housing and Transportation separately. • Purpose of CUSP? • Define our objectives and focus - What is the irreducible minimum this committee wants to agree upon • Prioritize problems • Who are the stakeholders? • What are the cross overs with other CUSP committees? • Where do we see our committee fitting within the 8 areas with the City Council’s list of Community- Oriented Results? • What are our limitations/what is beyond the committee’s control? Begin to gather info for use after project definition and planning Todd: DePaul U PPP model, Land Trusts for housing Chad: state licensing of property management companies, examples of good tenant classes Rebecca: existing rental improvement programs in other similar areas Barb: compile list of official housing terms (affordable vs. low income, etc.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.