Housing Commission

10/24/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Jack Commo, Katherine “Deac” Decarreau, Robert Millar, Jessica Bridge, Stevya Mukuzo, Anna Wageling City Staff Present: Elaine Wang, Bruce Palmer, Jim Duncan, Chief Audy Call to Order by: Robert Millar Meeting Start Time: 6:04 PM Minutes Recorded by: Anna Wageling II. Agenda Review Added topic: "Introduction: Margaret Bass" l Winooski Commission for Inclusion and Belonging l new to the city, meet every other month and work at a policy level l deigned to help form commissions/committees No minutes included for "Timeline for Other Activities" III. Public Comment None IV. City Council Updates l Budget priorities discussion, complex this year due to combination of inflation, ARPA, etc. l Will need an increase in taxes and working on prioritizing maintenance v. working on new projects l Joint meeting with school board resumed, focused on equity audit and how to continue to move forward, working on school bus transportation V. City Updates l Following up on ubdget: l Between projected and unions/health insurance… 4.6% increase, cannot do anything about this l Will present what the city should invest in and expect that will have to be scaled back VI. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Desicion: Approved Motion by: Deac Second: Anna  Desicion: Approved Motion by: Deac Second: Anna VII. Election of Officers: Secretary Decision: Anna will continue as Secretary Motion by: Deac Second: Jack VIII. Housing Trust Fund Check-in l Have not received more applications, but we also have not done a full media push, same with Opportunities l Something was posted on social media, Elaine will make sure it is shareable IX. Discuss Housing Initiative Director Applicant Review Process l Room for a member of the public to be part of the search committee l If anyone is interested, reach out to Elaine l Ideally, would like someone from the commission to participate l 4 applicants thus far, interviewing tomorrow X. Public Building Registry (Housing Quality Ordinance): Overview and Review Current Inspection Procedure l Presented by Chief John Audy and Fire Marshal Bruce Palmer l 4 parts of ordinances: buildings, building maintenance, housing, public building registry l Have authority through the ordinances l New software, can build out different inspection types, done electronically now, which brings a lot of consistency and clarity l Many lead-based compliance issues, work closely with Burlington Lead, funds available to property owners (known barriers) l This is just to deal with lead issues, non-educational based, hundreds of lead violations each year l Challenging to communicate with the LEP (limited English proficiency) community l Infestations: used be if there were issues in more than one unit, it would be on the landlord, if not, responsibility lies with tenant. Now, if there is an infestation, the landlord deals with it l Property complaint form: https://www.winooskivt.gov/FormCenter/Public-Safety- 10/Minimum-Housing-Complaint-Form-67 l Turnaround on this can be tricky, sometimes a phone call remedies the situation l WHA and CHT working together with other organizations to make tenant safety videos in multiple languages l Anyone can decide not to be clean, do their due diligence (in relation to trash issue at 300 Main St), does not mean they come from different socioeconomic background, cultural background, etc.- how to get people to comply? l What happens at an inspection: ¡ Extension cords: many violations here and the misuse of surge protectors ¡ Lack of bonding of gas lines- could be catastrophic ¡ Tampering with fire safety equipment ¡ Second means of egress- applies also to single family homes ¡ Also issue with AC units in the windows for egress  l What happens at an inspection: ¡ Extension cords: many violations here and the misuse of surge protectors ¡ Lack of bonding of gas lines- could be catastrophic ¡ Tampering with fire safety equipment ¡ Second means of egress- applies also to single family homes ¡ Also issue with AC units in the windows for egress ¡ Furnishing decorations: concern with tapestries on the wall l Many of the codes are based in injury prevention l Missing the educational piece with inspections l Question: what is the commission’s role in regard to education? And who- landlord, tenant, etc.? l important to make sure the whole family is involved in education piece l Clean v. unclean: subjective v. objective- how to clarify how the city views clean or unclean l maybe drawing the line where safety comes into play l 98% of complaints require follow up. 120+ days to try and get folks to comply l Looking at where there are multiple infractions: where are the landlords dropping the ball? l Next actionable steps: ¡ Commissioners will look at what is being missed/ not covered by the inspection list ¡ Elaine will send out doodle poll for the next meeting ¡ Chief Audy will bring other examples of ordinance violations as it relates to cleanliness XI. Discussion of Next Meeting Date (November 28) XII. Timeline for Other Activities XIII. Adjourn