HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_01.15.2014City of Georgetown
Hou s:rtg Advvsory Board
Minutes
January 15, 2014 aY 3:30 p.m.
Convention and Visitors Bureau Conference Room
103 W. 7"� Street, Gcorgckown, Texas 78626
Members present: 'I'in� "Codd, Clay Woodard, Walt Doering, Larry Gambone,. Harry Nelson, Judy
Fennell, Monica Williamson
Members absent Brad Curlee
Staff pr¢s¢nb Jetmifer C. Bills, Housing Coordinator; Laurie Brewer, Assystant City Manager;
Tammy Glanville, Recording Secretary
Special guest Deruus Hoover, Hamilton Valley Management, Inc 'and IR Perrara, Manager of
Northwest Apartments
This is.. regular meeting of the Housing Advisory Board of the City of Georgetov✓at. The Board,
appointed by trte Mayor and the City Council, makes recommendations to tyle City Council on
afFordable housing matters.
Regular Session - To begin no ¢azli¢r khan 3:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 3:31 by Woodard
Agenda
A. Consideration and possible acrion to approve minutes Rom the Dec¢ .tuber 11, 2013
eting.
Two c ections w made to I[em B (b) Next steps to address c nts.
oThe board should address all comments and Feedback recetived from City
Co cil_
The board should gather input from owners and tenants along with builders artd
developers about possible affordable housing incentives that affect the end
housing product.
Motion to approve the minutes by Doering, seconded by Gambone. Apprav¢d with
Corr
actions 6-O.
!Todd arpd Curtee were absen[ a[ the t[me of voteJ.
B, Consid eratiort and possible action to Forward to City Council a recommendation
regarding Northwest Apartments Tax Credit Resolution Request to City Council.
Bills brieIIy described the Housing Tax Credit program to the Board. She stated the City
of Georgetown, when crompared to other cities of similar size throughout Texas, has two
times the average number of tax credit units. This is not a market measure, but simply a
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statistical comparison that the Texas Department of Housing and Commux.ity Affair
(TDHCA) has put in place that gives communities the ability to say no to additional tax
reedit developments. Due to the two times rule, any application within Georgetown is
required to s a Resolu Hon of Support from City Council in order to move Forward
m the housing tax credit process.
The applicant, Harrti][on Valley Management, Lne. is requesting housirvg tax credits that
will be used for renovation of 24 existing units at the Northwest Apartments, located at
1623 Northwest Boulevard. The c mplex w nstructed in 1996 with United States
Department of Agricultural (USDA) r rel ]-lousing funds and m rehab work was last
mpleted in 1995 using tax credit funding. This renovation will bring thea sfble
units up to c ent Americans with DisabIIity Act standards a well a smprovesthe
ergy efficiency of the units. Units will be upgraded with low flow faucets and toilets,
additional insulation, new HVAC systems, ceiling Fans and energy efficient fight
fixtures.
Bills explained tree applicant is seeping to s e fin ing througk� TDHCA to receive
9 Y housing tax credits. Projects seeping credits are red using the criteria set by
TDHCA in a mpetitive process. This project is a rehabilitation project Heat will e
the eonfixtuation of exisiitlg affordable units. Because of [his, [hey ar applying within a
special category of USDA Rural Set-aside, so it would not competeagainst new
construction projects.
Discussion between Hoard and applicant in regards to Financing, loans and interest rates.
Bills sta ted [hat this item will go before City Cotmcil on January 28, 2014.
Motion by Doersstg to forward the resolution of support to City Council for approval,
nded by Gambone. Approved 6-O.
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C. Cansidera Hon and possible action to recommend to City Council changes to the Home
Repair Program scope and conditions.
(Todd arrzvad at 4:09pvre)
Bills briefly explained Gty Council voted to implement an in-house Home Repair
Program, using funds that had been previously granted most recently to The Caring
Place to perform min r home repair and a ergy efficiency improvements for low in e
homeowners. Previous agencies that had r ved the funds relied solely on volunteer
labor and w only utilizing a portion of the Eunds available. Moving the program in-
house, City Counci] discussed Haat repairs could be done by volunteers or contractors,
whichever would be the most affective in completing repays in a tunely Fashion.
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Additionally, staff can work with Code Enforcement to help homeowners stay in
mpliairce with building codes.
The question was asked if anyone can apply for the Home Repair Program and staff
replied that it's open to the general public and that the eligibility is based on the
guideli. es and available funds.
Discussion regarding youth church groups looking for community projects.
A question was asked abosst possible liability is mg volunteers and staff replied
the organization that coordinates the repairs and volunteers. is a 501c(3) and manages
the volunteer r¢gistrations and liability forms.
Bills discussed that other repairs are done througkr paid c retracts. when homes need
.more extensive work or have repairs on the interior of the house.
Bills is plarmir:g to speak at the City Council Workshop in February io discuss a
particular house needing extensive stn crura] repair. The house bas open cod¢
¢nforcement violatons, which left unrepaired, c uld require legal action to be taken by
the City. Staff time, legal actions and possible demolitions costs the City would incur
may be greater [hare repair costs.
A question w asked about how Georgetown s Home Repair Program compares to
other surrounding c pities in regard to budget, and requests for repairs and
s ? Sta£f replied we are the only city within Williamson County that hasour own
repair program.
Staff and boazd a exeded that City Council review the prograrfr guidelin s to
eace a procedure that would allow projects with a larger scope. For pr jects with
repairs o r $10,000 to be considered, two conditons must be met
1. An analysis conducted by staff indicates that the in estment by the City has a greater
value to the city than the results of non -repair (code enforcement staff time, legal
osts, relocations, Bens r ulting from City-iniriated demolition).
2. The botireowner mush be willing for the City to place a lien against the property for
the cost of the repair that will be Forgiven if the owner Contin s to live and own tyre
home for a mmamum of 10 years
Motiott to adopt two new changes to the Home Repair Program by Doering, seconded
by Nelson_ Approved 7-0.
D. Update. and discussion on next steps to create a workforce ]-lousing incentive plan and
W ork to clarify affordable housing information.
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Bills will be contactirlg several developers to speak at our nextmeeting to advise what
kind of incentives and development standards make a project more cost effective.
Board will conduct analysis n how any incentives or standards offered will impact tale
city, both on hard coats and economic gain.
Board ar.d staff will create an asy to read fact sheat on affordable and workforce
housing terms and statistics. Board will work on clarifying and definli-ig the red areas
on r ap.
Doering and Williamson will coordinate a seting with the Georgetown Independent
School District and request input on the Lo ations for Workforce Multifamily Housing.
E. Reminder of the next meeting date of February 19, 2014.
F. Adjournment
Meettirig adjourned a F5:03 p.m.
Approved, Tim Todd, Chair
Housing Advisory Houvd MSuutas. Taauuq 15. 2014
Attes Brad curlew, secretary