HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_03.11.2009City of Georgetown
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
Glasscock Conference Room—Georgetown Municipal Complex
300‐1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Debbie Hoffman: Chair, Janis Cowman‐Arteaga, Tom Crawford, John
Gavurnik, Susie Pukys, Dollene Thompson, Tim Todd, and Larkin Tom
Members absent: Naomi Walker
Staff present: Jennifer Bills; Housing Coordinator, Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Also present: Mayor George Garver
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 3:30 p.m. by Chair Hoffman
1. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the February 18, 2009
meeting.
Motion by Todd to approve the minutes. Second by Gavurnik. Approved 6 – 0 (Pukys
and Tom not in yet).
2. Introduction of new Board members.
Bills introduced the Mayor, ex‐Board member, Hartley Sappington and Karen Frost, city
staff person that will be taking minutes and giving administrative help to the Board.
(Pukys and Tom come in.)
3. Discussion and possible action to elect a new a Vice‐chair and Secretary
Gavurnik and Todd both volunteered to serve as vice‐chair. Gavurnik nominates Todd
as vice‐chair. Second by Thompson. Approved 8 – 0.
Gavurnik nominates Cowman‐Artega as secretary. Second by Todd. Approved 8 – 0.
4. Discussion and possible action to move meeting date and time.
There was a discussion of schedules. The current meeting time works for everyone.
Motion by Gavurnik to maintain the third Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. as the standard
meeting time of this board. Second by Todd. Approved 8 – 0.
5. Discussion on the Housing Element of the 2030 Plan presentation to City Council on
March 23, 2009.
Housing Advisory Board Minutes Page 1 of 2
March 11, 2009
Housing Advisory Board Minutes Page 2 of 2
March 11, 2009
The Mayor asked to speak to this item. He stressed that advisory boards work best when
there are clear‐cut goals and objectives given to the boards. His concern is the this board
has not recently received those clear‐cut goals from the current council. He is suggesting
that this board go before the council and ask for their direction to this board.
He discussed the difference between the Housing Authority, which is an administrative
authority of the state and federal governments and is not an advisory board to the city
council. And then he discussed his understanding of the Housing Advisory Board.
Mayor Garver’s suggestion for the Housing Advisory Board is to develop specific
questions for the city council seeking direction for the board’s actions and the housing
element of the comprehensive plan. He stated that until the ordinance is written and the
vote is cast, city council has not spoken. He was uncomfortable with the survey that
went out to the council and thought others were also. If the board wants to determine
the attitude of the council, they will need a better sampling and better structured
questions. He stated he did not think this survey helped anyone.
His last suggestion was to ask council to for an ad hoc committee with board members to
discuss how to move forward and determine the next steps to be taken. He thanked
everyone for their service and attention.
6. Update from staff on current Housing & Neighborhood Development projects.
Bills discussed the ideas and proposals of the board for presentation at the city council
workshop on March 23 rd. Sappington, Hoffman, Todd and Bills agreed to work
separately on the presentation and to meet again before the presentation. All Board
members were encouraged to attend the workshop.
Board adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Approved, Debbie Hoffman, Chair Attest, Janis Cowman‐Arteaga, Secretary