HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_05.16.2007Housing Advisory Board Minutes, May 16, 2007 Page 1 of 3
City of Georgetown
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007, at 3:30 p.m.
Glasscock Conference Room—Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Hartley Sappington; Chair, John Gavurnik; Vice-chair, Nancy Biggs;
Secretary, Cynthia Anderson, Debbie Hoffman, Emily Northrop, Larkin Tom
Members absent: Janis Cowman-Arteaga, Naomi Walker
Staff present: Jennifer Bills; Housing Coordinator
This is a regular meeting of the Housing Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown. The Board,
appointed by the Mayor and the City Council, makes recommendations to the City Council on
affordable housing matters.
Regular Session - To begin no earlier than 3:30 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 3:35 p.m. Sappington, Biggs, Anderson and Northrop present.
Skipped to Item 4 a. due to lack of quorum.
Quorum reached at 3:40 p.m. Gavurnik, Hoffman and Tom joined meeting.
1. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Housing Advisory
Board meeting held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007.
Northrop noted that on Item 5.a. that there had been a motion that was passed to refer to
housing for households that fall in the 50-80 percent range of Area Median Income as
‘Workforce Housing.’ Sappington motion to approve minutes with the correction,
Anderson seconded. Minutes approved, as amended, 7-0.
Before reviewing the by-laws, the Board did full introductions for new member Debbie
Hoffman.
2. Review and possible action approve sending Housing Advisory Board by-laws draft to
City Council for approval.
Sappington explained that recent City Council action reduced membership of the
Housing Advisory Board from 11 to 9 members. Instead of having a member
representing each district, the Board will have 5 at large members and 4 specified
positions on the Board. Bills further explained that the role of Secretary had been added
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, May 16, 2007 Page 2 of 3
to the by-laws in order to keep with the standard language of other Boards and
Commissions.
Motion to approve by-laws by Biggs, second by Hoffman, approved 7-0.
3. Consideration and possible action to elect a Vice-Chair and Secretary.
Biggs nominated John Gavurnik as Vice-Chair. Motion to elect by Hoffman, second by
Tom. Approved 7-0.
Bills explained that the duties of the Secretary are to verify the minutes as taken by staff
and in the event of the absence of both the Chair and Vice-Chair would be responsible
for leading the Board meeting.
Biggs nominated Larkin Tom as Secretary. Motion to elect by Anderson, second by
Gavurnik. Approved 7-0.
4. Discussion items from Staff:
a. Report on findings about HB 2226 and SB 1357.
Bills informed the Board that the Texas Municipal League had not reviewed HB 2226
and SB 1357. Bills stated that the Solar Energy Bills had not left subcommittee and
would most likely not be taken to the House or Senate this legislative session.
b. The semantics of affordable housing.
Bills presented other positive terms that could be used to describe affordable
housing, such as efficient, cost-effective, reasonable, economical, and cost-conscious.
She explained that while the term affordable might have negative associations in
public perception, it is still the most common terminology used by city, state and
federal programs. Bills did note that other municipalities tend to use a broad range
of terms within in housing plans and other documents to fully present the meaning
of the phrase affordable housing.
c. Possible incentives to encourage affordable housing.
Bills presented several possible incentives that the city could offer to developers who
would include affordable housing options within a development. The incentives
included waiving of planning and inspections fees, reduced impact fees, alternative
street and sidewalk standards, and reduced lot restrictions that would reduce the
overall land cost.
d. Additional items from staff.
Bills discussed forming a subcommittee to work on policy goals and definitions for
affordable housing. Gavurnik suggested holding a full meeting in June as he wanted
to invite the Mayor of Liberty Hill, Connie Fuller to the next Housing Advisory
Board Meeting.
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, May 16, 2007 Page 3 of 3
5. Discussions items from Board members.
No additional items from the Board.
Motion to adjourn by Gavurnik, second by Northrop, approved 7-0.
Board adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Approved, Hartley Sappington, Chair Attest, Nancy Biggs, Secretary