Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board Meeting Meeting Minutes October 5, 2021 A meeting of the Salem Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board was held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at a Remote Zoom meeting at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Mayor Kim Driscoll, Filipe Zamborlini, Rebecca Curran, Councilor Ty Hapworth, Caroline Watson-Felt, Councilor Patricia Morsillo, Councilor Christine Madore. Members absent: Mickey Northcutt and John Boris. Staff present: Amanda Chiancola, Deputy Director and Cassie Moskos, Senior Planner. Chair Mayor Kim Driscoll called the meeting to order with a roll call vote at 6:05 p.m. OLD/NEW BUSINESS A. Housing Goals and Production Plan Update Cassie Moskos provides an update on the Housing Goals and Production Plan. A steering committee has been established. The steering committee is reviewing a draft survey, they also recommended changing the name of the project. A community forum is planned for November 8th, it will be virtual held via zoom. Campaigning and press releases will start next week. Mayor Driscoll recognizes Councilor Madore joins the meeting at 6:08pm. Mayor Driscoll asks about the program for engagement at the meeting how to gather input and make it interactive. The discussion format is to be determined and will be shared once we have it. Mayor Driscoll asks if it can be interactive, if we are going to drive people together and pull them there, what is the best way to make it a productive session with input and engagement, she hopes we can lean towards interactive. Filipe Zamborlini explains he has been attending sessions with MAPC on hybrid models. Mayor Driscoll notes the board should think about how to drive people to the sessions, also are there street teams to assist- having community members meet in their own homes to get input. Caroline Watson-Felt asks if the survey has a limit of responses from an IP address, Cassie responds it is limited per device. Ms. Watson-Felt asks if there is someone without a home or technology to respond or someone who is not as tech-savvy, is there a way to collect surveys? A public computer or have folks go to the Community Life Center to fill out the survey with assistance? Mayor Driscoll also recommends a paper model. Councilor Madore explains we need to think about the old-school methods, recognize not everyone is comfortable with remote meetings. In person events are important to capture underrepresented populations e.g., elderly, and homeless populations. We could set up a half hour ice cream or coffee sessions at the library and other places, also mail out post cards with staff contact information, share flyers in student backpacks that would help capture more families than the typical survey. She also notes that we need to capture folks who do not already live here- they might work here or have family here but are struggling to find homes. B. Land Disposition Ordinance Working Group Update Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board September 7, 2021 Meeting Minutes Ms. Chiancola explains she is still working through the draft ordinance with the City Solicitor. Next step is to convene a meeting with the working group to review again then bring to the AHTF Board. C. Condominium Conversion Working Group Update Councilor Madore explains that the working group is reviewing a draft ordinance. Councilor Madore met with the Somerville staff that manages the ordinance, they appear to be the only community with a meaningful ordinance that is being implemented by staff. She is incorporating comments from the working group which will be distributed to the City Solicitor then the AHTF Board at a future meeting. New Business Mr. Zamborlini asks about the status of appointments of new members to the AHTF Board. Mayor Driscoll responds that there are two appointments going to the City Council meeting for confirmation, Chris Malstrom and Lynda Fairbanks- Atkins. Lynda has a vast experience on a number of boards including the LifeBridge Board and the Food Policy Council. Chris was a candidate for Ward 1 and someone who understands the needs of our hospitality industry in particular around housing which is a large part of our community. The process is they are submitted to the Council, the first meeting they are held under the rules. They should be approved by the second meeting in October, ready for the November meeting. Mayor Driscoll asks if we have additional vacancies. Ms. Chiancola responds that there is one more 1-year vacancy. Mayor Driscoll explains that if anyone from the public is interested there is an inquiry form on the salem.com website. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Driscoll asks if any member of the public would like to offer comment. No public comments are offered. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Hapworth, seconded by Filipe Zamborlini—passes unanimously 7-0 by a roll call vote. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Approved by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board on 12/15/2021 Respectively submitted, Amanda Chiancola, AICP Deputy Director Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028 through § 2-2033. Page 2 of 2