HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_01.21.2009City of Georgetown
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
January 21, 2009, 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, Janis Cowman‐Arteaga, Emily Northrop, Naomi Walker
Members absent: Cynthia Anderson, Debbie Hoffman, Larkin Tom
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 3:40 p.m.
1. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the November 19, 2008
meeting.
Walker motioned to approve the minutes from the November 19, 2008 meeting. Second
by Gavurnik. Motion approved 5‐0.
Biggs arrived at the meeting.
2. Discussion on the Housing Element of the 2030 Plan.
Bills announced that the Housing Advisory Board would be taking the Housing Element
of the 2030 Plan back to City Council Workshop for discussion March 23, 2009 at 4:00
p.m. at City Council Chambers. This will be a joint meeting of the Board and Council, to
explain the findings of the Element and answer any questions. Additionally, Bills stated
that she had received some questions from Council about the rental housing market that
she will be researching before the Workshop session. The Board decided that the
presentation should be centered around five to six of the most important points from the
Element that need to be emphasized.
3. Update from staff on current Housing & Neighborhood Development projects.
Walker updated the Board on the progress of the Sierra Ridge development. The project
is currently on hold due to financial issues due to the recent market instability and the
length of application processes with the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs. The development is still going forward, it has just been delayed.
Walker also updated the Board on the Smith Branch Park community redevelopment
project. The Boys and Girls Club is working with The Georgetown Project to purchase
six vacant lots in Smith Branch Park. They are working on a plan that includes building
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, January 21, 2009 Page 1 of 2
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, January 21, 2009 Page 2 of 2
a new center for the Boys and Girls Club, a new park and a bus stop. Working with the
City, they plan to submit an application to Williamson County for Community
Development Block Grants to assist in construction.
4. Update from staff regarding Board membership and term limits.
Bills announced that the Board member appointments for Anderson, Biggs, Northrop
and Sappington would expire at the end of February. City Council will be interviewing
applicants and appointing new members that will start in March.
Board adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Approved, Hartley Sappington, Chair Attest, Nancy Biggs, Secretary