HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_10.21.2009City of Georgetown
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
October 21, 2009, at 3:30 p.m.
Glasscock Conference Room—Georgetown Municipal Complex
300‐1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Debbie Hoffman; Chair, Tim Todd; Vice‐chair, Janis Cowman‐Arteaga, Tom
Crawford, John Gavurnik, Larkin Tom,
Members absent: Betty Craig, Dollene Thompson
Staff present: Jennifer Bills; Housing Coordinator, Cathy Krenek, Recording Secretary
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.
1. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the July 22, 2009 meeting.
Motion to approve the minutes by Gavurnik, second by Todd. Motion approved 6‐0.
2. Discussion on current grant programs and possible grant opportunities.
Bills presented several grant opportunities that are open to the City of Georgetown. The
City has recently applied for a Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the
Department of Energy that would allow the City to offer home weatherization to low‐
income households. The funds would also allow for some rebates for utility customers
that install solar panels on their house. Staff also applied to the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to participate in the Weatherization
Assistance Program, which received additional funds from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Bills outlined two grant opportunities that are available to cities from TDHCA. One is
the HOME Investment Partnership Program to assist low‐income households to
purchase a new home or rehabilitate their existing house. There is also the opportunity
for the city through the HOME investment Partnership Program Community Housing
Development Organization (CHDO) to use funds on a focused are to provide affordable
housing. This option would require a non‐profit CHDO be created.
3. Discussion and possible action on future meeting dates and training opportunities.
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, October 21, 2009 Page 1 of 2
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, October 21, 2009 Page 2 of 2
Bills provided information to the Board on the annual Austin Housing Summit on
November 14th, 2009. The summit will look at the current reshaping of the Austin
Comprehensive Plan and inclusion of affordable housing as a goal in that plan.
The Board discussed future meeting dates. It was decided that the November and
December meetings be cancelled and that the Board would meet again in January 2010.
4. Update from staff on current projects.
No new updates from staff.
5. Adjournment
Board adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Approved, Debbie Hoffman, Chair Attest, Dollene Thompson, Secretary