HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_04.15.2009City of Georgetown
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
Wednesday, April 15, 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, Dollene Thompson, Tim Todd, Larkin Tom and Naomi Walker
Members absent: Susie Pukys resigned from the Board
Staff present: Jennifer Bills; Housing Coordinator, Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
This is a meeting of the Housing Advisory Board. 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.
The meeting was called to order at 3:33 by Chair Hoffman.
Agenda
1. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the March 11, 2009 meeting.
Motion by Gavurnik to approve the minutes as presented. Second by Cowman‐
Arteaga. Approved 8 – 0.
2. Discussion on actions by City Council regarding the Housing Advisory Board and the
Housing Element of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
Chair Hoffman reported that almost everyone on the board attended the city council
meeting and thanked those that attended. She stated she felt the presentation was well
received. Gavurnik commented he felt their (city council) minds were made up before
the presentation and that is why there were not any comments made regarding the
presentation. Walker commented whether they listened or not, it was a good
presentation because it was presented on public access television and would let people
know what the board is doing.
Crawford reported that the council was considering not forming any more
subcommittees and eliminating all executive sessions in exchange for making all items
completely transparent to the public. There was discussion of those ideas.
Chair Hoffman introduced the idea of educating the council and the public about the
differences between the Housing Advisory Board and the Housing Authority and the
purposes of both. Walker stated there are several reason to keep the board, including
Housing Advisory Board Minutes Page 1 of 3
April 15, 2009
research, discussing definitions of affordable housing versus low income housing and
making recommendations to city council, education of the community in regards to
affordable housing, and lots of other possibilities. Hoffman suggested meeting
individually with council members to educate them on the housing board and to discuss
the priorities of the board. Walker did not think that was a good idea.
There was a discussion of the definitions of low income housing versus section 8
housing and the perceptions associated with section 8 housing. It was discussed that
perhaps the board needed training also. Hoffman suggested board members send
questions to Jennifer Bills for her to research and form suggestions. Bills will use general
and federal regulations, statistics and educational materials to formulate educational
materials.
There was a discussion of the “perception” of vision of the future Georgetown. Several
opinions were given. Crawford shared a much different vision than the other board
members in regards to affordable housing needs in Georgetown.
3. Consideration and possible action to forward a recommendation on a Resolution of
Support for a Home Investment Partnership Program Proposal for the Sierra Ridge
Apartments.
Hoffman questioned whether support of the recommendation would hurt the advisory
board in the future. Walker shared facts with the board. She stated the Georgetown
Housing Authority has a new board that may have new goals for Sierra Ridge but that
she is moving forward until they determine how they want to move forward. Sierra
Ridge is proposed to be a government supported housing project funded through the
Housing Authority using tax credits. The purpose is to provide more affordable
housing in the area and to generate income for the Housing Authority to put back into
the community. It will consist of 179 units that will be rent subsidized for those families
that have income of 50 – 60% of the median income of the area. 8 units will not be
subsidized. Tom Yantis , previous assistant city manager, had suggested using
gateways standards to development the property and that is what is proposed, instead
of using the federal standards for government subsidized housing.
Tax credit financing will be run through the Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs (TDHCA). TDHCA requires a letter of support from the city and a
statement of waiver of development fees. GTEC has granted a reimbursement of
infrastructure fees in the amount up to $694,000. The original investor has pulled away
from the project and Ms. Walker has been working with new investors to get this project
developed. GTEC recently extended the contract and now she is requesting a new
resolution from this board to take to the city council.
There was further discussion of timing of the recommendation and resolutions.
Housing Advisory Board Minutes Page 2 of 3
April 15, 2009
Housing Advisory Board Minutes Page 3 of 3
April 15, 2009
Gavurnik motioned to make the recommendation to city council in support of the
resolution for Home Investment Partnership Program Proposal for the Sierra Ridge
Apartments. Second by Todd. Approved 6 (approved) – 1(objection, Crawford) – 1
(abstention, Walker).
4. Update from staff on current Housing & Neighborhood Development projects.
Bills reported that she will be receiving the CDBG application later that week and is
reviewing projects that might be eligible for this type of funding. The County is
working on a consolidated plan to review their priorities and we will be looking at
projects and how they fit with those priorities.
Bills also reported that the Neighborhood Stabilization was reviewed and it was
determined that while the city would not be able to use this program, it was more in line
with other non‐profits, as it is mainly for buying and selling foreclosed homes. Hoffman
reported that Habitat for Humanity was reviewing the program and would be working
with other cities, Hutto and Taylor, and applying for a portion of the $1.06 million to
rehabilitate foreclosed homes in Williamson County and turn those around to either rent
or resell. The Housing Authority, working with Hutto, will be working with this
program too.
Walker talked about the Quail Valley neighborhood revitalization project. We are
looking at a community based collaboration to revitalize this area. Habitat and the
Housing Authority were each given six lots in the neighborhood. The Habitat lots are not
viable for single‐family homes and they are working with the Boys and Girls Club and
looking at using CDBG funds. The Boys and Girls Club is taking the lead and is looking
at purchasing the land from Habitat and collaborating with GISD, the Housing
Authority, and others to develop this as a community center, maybe a park and bus
station for that area, where it is greatly needed. Bills will bring forth more information as
the project progresses.
Meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Approved, Debbie Hoffman, Chair Attest, Janis Cowman‐Arteaga, Secretary